Trainer disapproves of using harness

Obedience people can be a bit anti-harness because in obedience trials you are not allowed to use a harness - you have to use a collar. So it could be that, rather than the gun dog side of things, that led to the harness comments. It sounds like the trainer is happy for you to keep using the harness though.

I wouldn't abandon the class just yet. But do set your own boundaries for what you are and are not prepared to do with or to your dog (just as you did successfully with the harness).

 

That was it; I've never tied her to anything ever before, so to tie her up, then walk away that far TWICE without being able to offer her any reassurance wasn't good. I do feel disappointed because in some other areas what was on offer could have been good, but I have contacted the lady who runs the training company and explained why I won't be returning. I don't want Holly to be distressed by anything I do. I feel a bit sad that I did it at all. I should have taken her home, but you live and learn.

 

I wasn't really prepared because we'd started with all the usual sit, heel, recall using rewards.. then suddenly we were tying dogs to posts and Holly went ape almost immediately, I did say she'd never been tied up before. Then the trainer made comments about Holly getting the lead wound up and about the harness.. I'm not sure it would have been any better with a collar .. anyway, discussed with my other half and we agreed so that's it.

 

You have to feel comfortable enough in a class, and it can be hard to say 'no, I'm not going to do it that way' when everyone else is following the trainer's directions.

It sounds to me like this trainer doesn't have a good grasp of the principle of shaping, which is starting with the tiniest baby step imaginable and building from there, at the dog's pace. And the trainer also doesn't have a strong enough emphasis on the importance of calmness - without that learning isn't going to happen.

I hope you find a class that is a much better fit for you and Holly

 

You have been given some really good advice - I am a novice at all this with my first pup - who is now 19 months old - and I have the same constraints with regard to finding training classes when I am not working. However, we did a beginners class with Bailey when he was 5 months old. We were taught a sit and stay like this. Have the dog sit, step away one pace, count to 5 seconds then step back to your dog, praise and treat (small piece of chicken or hot dog sausage), then sit, one step away count to 10 seconds return and reward - we slowly worked on that away from the class and the following week I could walk 10 steps away for 30 seconds and walk back to Bailey praise and treat before giving him a release cue and a short game of tuggy. At no time was he tied up, it was in a class of 5 other dogs, he was on the lead but the lead was on the floor.

Now he will sit and wait confidently when I need him to - I haven't timed it for ages to be honest - and so long as he can see me he does not move. I always go back to him before giving the release cue so as to keep a clear definition between wait and recall.

No idea if that is right or not but it works for us

 

A 'stay' and a 'tie up and wait' are two different exercises, taught differently. Both useful

 

Yes. hopefully I'll get a trainer who can distinguish between the two next time!!

 

We have gone through a few trainers over the early stages of having Vanilla. You have to do what is right for you and feel comfortable.
All we ended up leaving for various reasons. I do stand my groind on what I will allow and not allow to my dog, and one thing is a big no no. No one touches my dog unless I they explain to me what they are planning on doing.
Our latest trainer is a very positive trainer, but there are still things I disagree with. One thing after this weeks class which was about recall on a 10m leash. She did not once mention to only do this if your dog is wearing a harness eith a back fastener. I had to say something about attaching it to just a collar and dog runs off and you step on the lead. Not that smart and very very dangerous.
But overall we like the class

 

I got an email from the lady who runs the training company, and she explained to me that the method trains them very quickly and that initially the dog is tied and you only step a few paces away. I emailed her back and described to her exactly the way it was done in the class, just as feedback. Now we'll just wait until our original trainer has her follow on class ready.. and keep practicing in the meantime.

 

If you're happy with your original trainer @Holly Chocolate Loveheart, that's great.

I live in east Sussex and have used a training school that is all positive force-free training. I have used them for puppy classes, follow-on classes, recall workshop, gundog training workshop and gundog training classes. They run classes all over Sussex I believe. The gundog workshop was in Ferring and the gundog classes in Brighton. The other classes were nearer me in Eastbourne. The owner lives in west Sussex.

If you ever think you might want to pursue other trainers and those areas are near you, PM me (I don't know if I'm allowed to advertise who it is here!)The owner also does one to one work.