Can you prepare for dog training classes?

[ShinyAndNew]

My dog has a test run at a really good training class on Sunday.

He has not been neutered yet and does like to try and hump things, but, will stop when he is told to and has never shown any agression to other dogs.

Will he be okay? Do you think there is anything I could do to prepare him for the class?

Don't worry first of all. You dog is not expected to know everything before he goes or else there is no point in going.

If he is used to dogs that is good but being in a different environment to all dogs is strange so even if he loves hundreds of dogs he may react differently in a class situation.

A good trainer will be aware of this and should put you at ease.

I think it is more important that you are relaxed, keep a good distance from all dogs and be concentrating on your dog at all times. Then he can't lunge, get sidetracked by other dogs.

Enjoy it I love training my dogs just don't start to get competitive or else that is all your evenings and weekends booked up from now on!

He seems to be fine with other dogs, but has only met a few while walking before.

I am bit nervous. I have taken puppies to training classes before and trained older dogs, but never untrained adult dogs, so I have no idea how he will react.

I think we all feel the same but in my experience everyone is so busy concentrating on their dog that noone notices what anybody else is doing.

Don't worry how he behaves, your trainer will have seen it all before and if they are any good should be able to advise you what to do. But I bet he will be as good as gold. Let us know how he gets on.

I took my lab to agility and the first session despite (competing in obedience to a high level) he just did major zoomies around the arena and would not come back!

The next week he had settled down and was not stressed and was fine so if things do not go as planned it has happened to us all.

My only suggestion would be to take loads of treats - (I always run out.)
And make the treats really nice and different! Always works with mine - but he's a lab - so it's all about the food!

Hmm, well he loves cooked chicken and the class is on a Sunday

I think I am more nervous because we have only had him two weeks, so I don't really know him yet. I do want him to be trained asap though, before he 'learns' that misbehavior is okay in our house.

He is generally very calm and is not agressive to other people or dogs. So I am sure I am worrying for nothing.

The most important preparation you can do for a dog training class is ....... go to Tesco and buy all the tins of hot dog sausages you can. On sale 2 for £1 at the moment I think.

Half a tin of hot dog sausages cut up into roughly 1/2 cm sized slices works wonders at keeping their attention !

A decent length (tiring) walk beforehand wouldn't do any harm.

Oh, and don't forget your poo bags. Nothing more embarrasing than having to ask someone else for a poo bag.