To stop dog training classes because of friend??

[BellyAching19]

I have a puppy who I take to training classes. She’s a German shepherd cross and really naughty. My friend has a puppy of the same age (Doberman) who she takes to the same classes.

Her dog is excelling. Mine is just a pain in the arse. She runs around wild, bites at my hand during training and launches herself at other dogs.

Every night after training my friend will post on Facebook about how proud she is of her dog and how well training class is going. Obviously I don’t!! But she tags me in them.

Her dog has learnt all these fancy tricks and my dog can’t even do “down” without going mental and throwing herself all over the floor.

We took them out for a walk this morning and she suggested we try heel training as we were in an exclosed area. Naturally my dog just ran off whereas hers walked beside us with a smug look on its face. I’m starting to resent her dog!!! I’m so upset that mine seems so wild.

AIBU to just stop associating with her where the dogs are concerned because she’s making me feel worse.

If I hear “you should have got a Doberman” one more time I swear to god I’ll scream

It sounds as if your dog is not ready to work around others, or in open spaces.

If your trainer at class is not helping you (I certainly wouldn't be allowing your dog to run around wildly, lunge at other dogs, bite you etc, I'd be ensuring you had a quiet space to work away from the other dogs and helping you with that!) then class is likely not the best place for you and your dog right now.

Stop comparing the dogs, they are not the same dog.

I wouldn't stop the training classes. I would distance myself from the friend.

All dogs are different. They have their own personalities. What is working for her doberman isn't working for your shepherd.
What does the trainer say?

Perhaps group classes aren't suitable for your dog as she gets distracted around other dogs. Have you looked at one-2-one?

When training puppies you have to get the balance right- you need to exercise them before teaching to get rid of most of the energy, but not so much you wear them out and they become like an over tired toddler.
You need super high value treats - sausage/chicken/cheese and a calm environment.

My dog is doing the worst out of the whole class. Trainer gives me stuff to work on at home and I did a one on one with her but nothing works. I’m starting to regret getting her. I’ve only ever had pedigree dogs before at least then you know what you’re getting.

The breed has nothing to do with it GSD's are very smart dogs and should be easy to train, but you need to find what works best for your dog.

I love my dog, but when he was a pup I had days when I hated him. For him it was blowing bubbles, he went nuts for them, so I'd walk around a field blowing bubbles (and looking like a loon) but he'd stay with me, eventually only blowing them when recalling him, and then moving on to just carrying a plastic bottle. He's good as gold now, but "down" still results in him sprawling in the floor and half rolling over - he's a berk, but still my favourite berk (well after DP)

This was me with my labrador puppy. He's very dominant and excitable and behaved the exact same way in training classes. I started to dread them, as the others in class seemed to judge and I wasn't doing anything different as to what they were! It would be even worse to go with a friend with the perfect dog. :) Mine also wouldn't down.

Age and getting him fixed helped, and E-Collar training (not the kind that zaps, just gives a gentle pulse) worked wonders for walking and learning to down successfully.. Good luck and I'm sure it will get better!

Gsd dogs are great don't beat your self up doberman smoberman. Police dont choose doberman dogs to hunt down lost kiddies or track criminals or defend prisons. Your dog is highly spirited and young. Consider a different trainer 1to1 is preferable group classes are really a waste of money when you could pay the same for 1to1 training. Give your dog firm commands. I have a malenois x Gsd. Unreal dog cleverer than most people I meet. Don't dispare your dog will adapt with firm training and be the best dog you ever owned.

You need more help from a professional.

If your puppy is attempting to bite you that is a very bad sign. Please find a competent trainer and see them. If your puppy bites now it will only become more serious and dangerous as she ages. Be very firm with her and make sure you are in control. If you pm me I can give you the name of an excellent trainer who is firm but understanding and won't take nonsense from any dog.

Out of curiosity, what is your GSD crossed with?

Sorry pressed post too soon!
For what it’s worth, in my experience, Dobes are ridiculously easy dogs to train by and large, so your friend has it easier. But it doesn’t make your dog any less or training them any less important.

But if nothing is working with this training group, try a new one. And get some different one on one tuition.

What is she fed on? Just like children all dogs are different so don’t feel too bad.

My Lab was the worst at our training classes. Actually there was also a Portuguese Water Dog who was her partner in crime. All the perfect dogs would be doing sit and stay and me and the other owner would be tearing round the field and through the bushes trying to catch our stupid pooches. They were having a grand time! I just cracked on with the training and she got it eventually. Don't give up!