How to find a good puppy training group?

[Lovethesea]

Rescue pup of 6 months heading our way this weekend....

I've been advised to find a training group to help her socialise as she is scared of strange dogs. How do I find one that is positive reinforcement based and will do controlled socialising not just letting them all off to cause chaos?

I know there are qualifications trainers can get, is there a website you can search for people in your area qualified in positive techniques?

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www.apdt.co.uk
Has a list of qualified registered trainers by area.
I've been told its best to go along without pup first to see if its the sort of class for you.

IMDT are good too.

As a trainer, may I suggest you DONT go anywhere that allows the dogs to mingle and play, especially as your pup is already nervous. It would be the absolute worst thing for her and will make her even more nervous.
At our centre we don't allow any play type interaction between the dogs at all on site. Ever.

Training should be about owner and dog learning to interact in the face of the distraction of other dogs. So we practise calm on lead greetings and recalling away from other dogs etc and the dogs 'socialise' by being in the same vicinity as each other, learning to remain calm in each other's presence.

I agree with whoknows the puppy class we attended was distraction hell for my pup - he loves playing with other dogs and there was no attempt to show him how to respond with distraction. He failed and I worried that his recall would worsen - I'm now on the search for a new class that teaches good manners to help my pup control his play urge and whoknow's approach sounds perfect - where are you based?
Btw IMDT certified trainers who don't quite make the grade but don't dismally fail are called something like "Student" trainers but they still allow them to practice like fully licensed trainers - double check their status on the imdt website and ask about how long the person has been training dogs.

Thanks, I am near Norwich and will be very careful not to take her into something that will make her terrified.

The rescue had a field meetup of 10 dogs a few days ago, big year old crazy saluki x puppies, Meg couldn't cope at all. Dropped to the ground and screamed so was put back in the car crate where she was quiet.

She was with her mother until in rescue, a whippet, and is fine with the fosterers dogs now she knows them but I want to very gently build her up to being happy to be near strange dogs.

Would some one to one training help first do you think? Get her and I knowing each other more before we try a group? I don't want to overwhelm her before she knows she can trust me. But I don't want to wait too long if classes would be helpful while younger.

The heads up on not qualified trainers much appreciated, thanks.

Luxaroma we are in Essex

A one to one lessons would be a great starting point, but I would find a centre you are happy with by watching a group class first. If the group sessions are not run in a way which you are comfortable with, then a one to one with that trainer would likely be unsuitable too.

Just as an idea of how we would deal with your case. Nervous dogs in a group lesson are not pushed beyond their level of comfort. If they want to spend several lessons hiding behind a chair and gradually getting used to their environment, then that's fine. No cajoling or reassurance from the owner though, as that reaffirms the dogs suspicion that there is indeed something to be scared of. As trainers we 'ignore' the dog until it comes to us for a thrown treat if it's people fearful and the owner starts to gradually work on very simple exercises once the dog is less shut down through fear. In some cases the dog/owner are moved to a separate room to view proceedings through a large hatch so as not to flood the dog. However, we would usually advise some private sessions for a dog that was struggling to this level.

For a one to one, a full history and full details of the dogs health,routine and home life are taken first. General advice next. Then onto the practical. We would probably use one of our older, well trained and calm dogs as a stooge at some point in the session. Again nothing would be pushed past the point of comfort. Simply being at either end of the hall with no eye contact and teaching the pup to concentrate on you would be the start and the pace from there is guided by your dog.

Thanks Who. If you know anyone in my area you'd recommend I would appreciate any help finding the right place (or any to avoid if you want to pm me!)

The foster home find her fine with people, she is with 5 children under 10 and dogs and cats. So hoping she will be happy with us and then we can slowly build up the tolerance to other dogs.

I am planning on meeting up for a walk maybe with my friend and her soppy cavalier king Charles'. Obviously once she is settled here. The older one especially is very calm and relaxed.

I've been recommended to try the Look at That approach, what's your experience with that? I think the idea is I say Look and then point her at something neutral, a piece of paper I've just put on the floor or something, then slowly build it up so in the end she is used to Look! Does it, gets treat. So then we can use it with things she doesn't like, a strange dog far away, Look, treat. Carry on. Closer over time etc.

That would fit with your idea of not overdoing the reassurance by words or patting, but just letting her see I am not frightened and it is ok to be there and hoping her confidence comes out in time?

I suppose it would also avoid her suddenly seeing something she is scared of if I have already pointed it out and treated her and we carry on?