Classes. How was it for you?

[CannyJB]

Hello All – can I get opinions on Classes? For puppies or Adult dogs. I think I should let you know I’m a Trainer but this isn’t market research for me, I want to look at client satisfaction or otherwise, your expectations and outcomes. A relatively low percentage of UK dog owners attend group classes and I’m interested in why this might be? As a Trainer I have many clients who book One-One private training having previously attended/or dropped out of Group Classes. As a starting point it’s worth asking those of you who have gone, whether it was worthwhile and positive for you. If you’re interested there’s also a very quick survey here. goo.gl/forms/SXbPLJhw9cnUPD5p2

[CannyJB]

Thanks bluetongue, pre-school sounds a bit heavy going, what were the positive/good elements about the better ones?

[Cath2907]

I took Bud to his first class last week. It is mixed age range and as far as I can tell there were FAR too many dogs there. Even the trainer commented on it being a bit like bedlam. I am not sure Buddy could hear my commands over all the other dogs, trainers, spectators etc.. There must have been 15 dogs in a small village hall! However it did allow him to meet other dogs and people and that is really the reason I went. I'll go the 6 week course just for him to get socialisation. Not sure I'd do any more though - I doubt his skills will improve in that environment!

[Hoppinggreen]

Awful, we failed both puppy and intermediate classes and I felt judged

[bluetongue]

Canny the better classes spent lots of time with the dogs moving and being more active. Other people I know had to do a test at the end of the course but with mine as long as we mastered the basics we passed.

I also did another course that was a bit ‘alternative’ and used some pack theory that I knew was outdated. On the other hand we did loads of slow walking and really getting our dogs to listen to us. At the beginning of the course Bluepuppy stood up on his hind legs when asked to walk really slowly (not our finest moment!) and by the end of the four weeks he was happily loose lead walking.

[ReinettePompadour]

I've taken all my dogs to classes and hated it every time.

My 1st dog failed basic training class (6 week course) 3 times. Every week we would go and the trainer would make comments about how I wasnt doing enough training at home etc. The fact was my dog just did not value anything enough to be used to reward him. Throw a ball/frisbee/sticks and he would watch it disappear into the distance then carry on doing his own thing. Food treats used to make him unwell. He had a very sensitive stomach and cheese, sausages, ham, chicken anything not his standard food made him sick with diarrhoea. I had nothing to reward him so he just did whatever whenever he wanted in class. Eventually they refused to have him back.

My spaniels, 1 can't go anymore because he's too hyper and upsets all the other dogs with his constant barking and general hyper behaviour. The other 1 went for a while but I felt unwelcome because of the association with my other spaniel. They constantly made digs about hoping this dog would behave better and that they hoped I was going to make more of an effort to keep this 1 under control.

When I'm paying £10 per 30 minute lesson I expect real genuine help and support. I get nothing from these groups.

I've looked at agility/flyball etc but they all require the dogs to have passed the intermediate handler courses which none of mine ever have. It's really crap that I have a super fast keen spaniel that would be brilliant at agility/flyball but they wont have him in the basic handling lessons to be able to gain his certificate to enable him to take part.

I only continued to take them for socializing. The training was mediocre at best. There's only 1 dog trainers within 10 miles of me so my choices are limited.

[bluetongue]

Forgot to say that as I work during the week I much preferred weekend classes if I can find them. Weekday evening classes also meant driving in peak hour traffic with a puppy that wasn’t that great in the car (he’s fantastic now.)

[BiteyShark]

What I haven't included on here is the agility group classes I also go to (the ones I previously mentioned were obedience classes). The group agility one is really good, you each get your turn and it is tailored for the dog as they all have their own strengths on the different equipment. Both of us really enjoy that one.

[CannyJB]

Thank you Cath2907, Hoppingreen, ReinettePompadour*, I'm so sorry you've all had/are having such poor experiences.

Reinette, sometimes you can find fun agility providers that won't have these restrictions and/or offer one-one taster sessions. I'm not sure whether you want to let me know whereabouts you're based, but perhaps I could do some enquiring for you?

Also maybe have a look at Scentwork, it's a nice calming activity which uses oodles of brain power, plus you can work one at a time so don't have to deal with working close to others.

[CannyJB]

Thanks for the survey filling, some great observations. Please keep them coming. Thank You

[CannyJB]

Bitey did you have to pass any particulartest or stages before enrolling in your Agility Class? As others have found the entrance requirements prohibitive (Reinette) would be great to know whether this was the case for you?

So glad you're getting real value from your Agility group, sounds like fun.

[BiteyShark]

No requirements for joining but the instructor did put me in a group of beginners so we were still am complete novices. We do competitive agility rather than fun agility but I don't think we will compete as I wanted to do it just to strengthen our bond and have fun.

[CannyJB]

Thanks Bitey, I hope Reinette can find a similar group.

[steppemum]

well this thread has persuaded me to look again at classes.
I have found a fun agility taster session very close to me (actually pass the place on our daily walk, and it is weekday mornings which suits me.

So we will go to the taster and see!

I also found (this is for biteydaog's benefit) a gundog training class not far away. I am thinking about this. The major drawback being it uses a whistle and I can't whistle, and not sure I want to use an actual whistle. (dh can whistle though, I might get him to go to gundog training, and then teach us )
and also it says that to begin they like your dog to be able to various things including 'leave it' which is probably steppedogs absolute worst command (been trying and failing to teach it to him, but once he has somethign he wants in his mouth....)

[BiteyShark]

steppemum I've commented on the general dog chat thread about the whistle and leave it requirements if you want to chat over there?

[steppemum]

coming over!

[missbattenburg]

well this thread has persuaded me to look again at classes

Me too! It's prompted me to look harder for fun, upbeat improver classes near me.

I have a springer so maybe gundog-specific classes are the way to go...

[ThisIsThe]

We are just doing puppy socialisation at the moment. 8 puppies in a church hall is what it is. Can’t wait to move on to actual training.

[CannyJB]

Yay, wish you all lots of fun in your respective classes. Glad this thread has opened up some further options for some of you.

[littlehayleyc]

I did a puppy course, then two or three follow on courses including a specific recall course. We had approx 6 puppies in the class, with a main trainer and an assistant. I found it really good, and there was a lot of individual attention. If something wasn't working for one dog, then they were helped or given alternative methods. There was lots of opportunity to ask questions about specific issues we were having. We could also email things we thought of during the week and address them in the next class.

[CannyJB]

Sounds really good littlehayleyc and addressing individual needs by offering alternatives/lowering the criteria is best practise, as well as no more than 3 puppies to each assistant or trainer. Very good.

[Squirrel26]

SquirrelDog and I also do scentwork classes - it’s been a slightly slow and painful process (because he’s an idiot because it was very hard for him to concentrate) but last night he did two proper vehicle searches, even though he got taunted by the farm cat strolling across the yard.

[CannyJB]

Hi ThisIsThe will your Training Class be with the same people & puppies?

[CannyJB]

Nice Squirrel26 two vechicle searches! With feline distractions, sounds ace. Just starting my dog on Scentwork stuff.

[averylongtimeago]

I have had dogs for the last 40 years, they all went to puppy classes. Classes have changed such a lot in that time! The first class was all Barbra Woodhouse, lots of yanking on leads, chain collars recommended. The last one was 4 years ago, it was more of a dog club than a "set" of lessons and it worked so much better. We did so much and it was fun. Of course we learned the basics, but also did some agility, taught them things and had fun. I taught mine "box" - ie jump on the box and stay. Great for grooming and going on the scales at the vets.
In fact I took my old goldie as well, at 10 she knew all the basics, but enjoyed learning some new stuff. She just did agility very slowly.
Only stopped going as we moved and there isn't a similar class locally.

[CannyJB]

Thanks so much averylongtimeago that sounds like a really great class.