Can I ask what the attraction of training classes is - apart from of course uhm .. training. As soon as I got Maisy people kept asking me when I was taking her to training? To be honest, I was quite offended thinking 'Why, what's wrong with her?' Everyone seems to do it and expect it, and I would gladly go to them if there was a problem I could not get through, I may have to sometime so I am not discounting them. However, I often hear about trainers who just don't get your dog, think they are aggressive when they are just boisterous (a lab!), all sorts of stories. I took Maisy to puppy parties when she was younger and it was great, especially mixing with other pups, and I would like to go to something similar but for older pups, it seems there is only training classes for that sort of thing though. But I just have a vision of some old Barbara Woodhouse type gal bossing me about and telling Maisy not to do this and that and me having a pop at her telling her to mind her own business etc. (as you can tell, I am not an overly sociable type!) Can anyone explain what goes on in these classes and would it be good just for meeting other dogs? Thanks
I started taking Ella to a dog club for obedience training classes when she was 16 weeks old. Honestly, the only reason I took her was because she is my fist dog and I had no idea what I was doing (hmm.. Still have no idea ) Two years later and we still go. I've made friends there, I've developed some great training methods, we've had a limited amount of success in obedience trials (I never imagined doing this!) and most importantly, Ella seems to thrive when we're training. I think it's totally up to you, what you feel comfortable doing, what struggles you may be having (if any) with your dog, if you're looking for other things to do with your dog etc.
One benefit of training classes is the chance to work around other people and dogs as a distraction. Of course you can , and should, do this out and about at the park etc but at classes other people will be trying to work with their dogs too, so you won’t be attempting a ‘stay’ and have an off-lead dog try to engage yours in play. I wouldn’t look on training classes as a way for your dog to meet and play with other dogs, but for her to focus on you with other dogs around. Most classes in the UK these days will be reward-based training -and certainly check before you enroll. Many clubs charge a minimal amount because they have volunteer trainers, but if they are affiliated to the Kennel Club they should be force free. You shouldn’t meet Barbara Woodhouse reincarnated. Many companion dog classes follow the KC good citizen scheme https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/tr...ation-for-dog-owners/gcds-award-descriptions/ I’ve been to many classes with Molly and enjoyed most, but I didn’t attend classes with my previous dogs and just taught the basics (recall, stay and general manners) myself. If you don’t fancy a class, there’s no need to go -you can certainly train your dog yourself, especially with all the internet videos that are available these days.
I don't go to classes because they're not available where I live, but even if I lived in the UK, I wouldn't go to "regular" classes, because they don't interest me. What does interest me is gundog training and, more recently, a bit of agility, so I take private classes in these where possible. I do it because it's fun for me and the dogs absolutely adore it. It strengthens the bond we have and gives us loads of "games" to play, which means I have generally good focus from my tribe. But, if you're content with how you and your dog get on together and the things you already do, then there's really no need to do something "just because". I don't think many classes are available specifically for meeting dogs - most will actually teach your dog how to not meet other dogs, in that they should be able to perform tasks in the presence of other dogs without getting distracted by them. If that's what you're interested in, I think maybe a dog walking group might be more your thing? I'm sure that sort of thing must exist?
Yes, that is a very good thought, although first I would like Maisy to be less distracted by other dogs. We are still working on ignoring other dogs. If we can't get that sorted then a training class would help, that's the only reason I can think that would make me go to be honest, I considered agility but that involves me too - I don't do running, not with my knees!!
Yes, thanks Joy, this is what I still need to work on and classes would be useful for this. Of course, this forum solves an awful lot of problems and gives such good advice too, thanks for your help.
There's a lady I've seen compete at the club I go to who has a physical disability meaning she uses a crutch and can't walk easily. She guides the dog with her hand and voice cues. Apparently, there's another lady who does it from a wheelchair. So, you should be fine, just tell the instructor your limitations and they'll work around it.
Our training classes have brilliant, expert teachers. I still find the classes really, really hard work - as the pup is working on tasks + dog distraction. They are well worth the effort ‘tho
Thanks, I was not too serious about my knees!! I think they are more lazy than anything - but maybe if I could do it sitting down ... umm
We go to training because Coco really, really enjoys it. And it gives us a chance to work near and around other dogs ("other dogs" is our only real problem). Plus I get the odd idea of things to train. It's only very basic training. I've never been to training with any other dog in my life,
I think it depends on your needs/wants. The key is to research classes, regular or specialist, go & watch an initial lesson, talk to the trainer to see if what they are offering is for you. I go to group classes & have a 1:1 lesson, with the same trainer. Classes are great, as already mentioned above, for working around distractions in a 'controlled' way. I personally am not really getting much from the group classes but MOST importantly my dogs are. I do find classes interesting to watch others & their dog's responses, think why did that happen, what if etc which I sometimes discuss in the 1:1 to get a better understanding of dog behaviour. He also has stooge dogs which is really beneficial for my girl.
Yes, that would be the best reason of course, I am thinking that Maisy would really enjoy it, she is very sociable and a good learner.
Great post! It seems to me that trainers and training classes vary so much around the country, it really depends on what you want from them. I have had less than happy experiences in the past, and wanted to avoid them with Cassie. But when she was 7 months old I did a "force-free" class which taught me some very useful things, I was new to +R training and I learnt a lot, but I didn't take to the trainer who once or twice made me feel inadequate, but it was only 4 sessions so that was all we did. Then when she was around 12 months I joined a local dog club, again I learnt some useful things but just didn't feel comfortable. The dogs had free play before and after the training, which for Cassie was disasterous, my whole reason for being there was to learn to work with other dogs, but it just wound her up and then we were more or less in the naughty corner! But finally, and she's 18 months now, I've found a class where I'm comfortable and happy. The trainer treats handlers with respect and the dogs as individuals, and it's all about behaviour amongst other dogs, lots of loose lead/heel work, sit/wait, and recall from and past other dogs, and last week started distance control. Just exactly what we need, it's an hours drive but worth it. I've always gone to a 1:1 gundog trainer, which I will continue with, and recently joined a weekly gundog session, but all these things are consolidating what I've already done with her at home. So I would say it's all about finding a knowledgeable skilled trainer who can offer what you want. If you want anything!
Yes, that's what I would expect from a trainer, I would find it hard to put up with someone making me feel inadequate or bullying me or Maisy. It is probably best to ask around and get some recommendations from other lab owners as there is only one trainer in my town so I may have to go a bit further afield, if I do decide that is. Trouble is, I would want to get her as trained as possible so we aren't shown up - you know, like you clean your house before the cleaner comes around because you don't want them to think it's dirty!
Good luck Actually, although this definitely made me chuckle, there is something to be said for this approach. I was only thinking after my Saturday class that this is the right time for us -- her sit/wait has been pretty solid since she was small, I've worked hard on recall and it's not bad, she knows about heel although I hate doing it, I've done lots of LAT and hand touch, so we are in a good place to work amongst distractions. It came to mind after one of the other owners asked me how old Cass is and I said "18 months", he pointed to his huge and bouncy GSD and said "she's 18 weeks" rather smugly, I thought. Who cares? Maybe some Labradors just need time to mature before going to classes.
I like going to classes as it give me a dead line to practise our moves. Otherwise I find that I’m always thinking I’ll practise whatever I find difficult tomorrow and never get round to it. I have lots of homework for a gundog class for next week, the trainer is traditional and so there is a huge incentive for me to really spend my spare time getting these behaviours as perfect as I can. One of my dogs swops dummies really badly and I have gone back to training the pickup in my kitchen with food, and do you know what, the more you train something the better it gets! Simple really, but we all avoid doing things we find hard. My dog now swops on the first pick up as is his habit, and then remembers that we are playing the swopping game and stops on the subsequent times.
I go to training classes because I really enjoy it and I’m really lucky to have a trainer who is completely on my wave length. He has taught me a lot and given me the incentive to read more along with lots of tips from the forum, I really enjoy training. Mabel without a doubt has the best time ever. She has 4 field trial champions and 6 field trial winners on the sire’s side of her family tree and without a doubt is as bright as a button. Due to her elbow dysplasia she couldn’t compete in any trials so I’m always looking at other ways to engage her. Personally I don’t think it’s necessary to go to classes if you don’t want to, my friend has a Staffie who is really fabulous and has never been to training classes.
I've done a fair amount of training; puppy and adolescent classes, recall workshop, gundog workshop and training classes and one flyball class (I also went to an agility class but couldn't find it and ended up driving round dark country lanes with no clue as to where I was!) I've really enjoyed all of them, especially gundog, and so has my pup. Before I got her I only planned to do a 6 week puppy class coz "that's what you do." The last formal classes we did were back in the summer. I've pondered about doing other classes but I've lost a bit of interest in it, perhaps coz the evenings are dark and I don't fancy going out. I'm sure I'll do something else at some point but for now I'm just content with doing bits and pieces in the garden or out on walks. This is a ridiculously long-winded way of saying do whatever suits you best!
Wow, you have been busy, I did not know there were so many different things to do out there. I am now thinking that I should do something for Maisy's sake as I think she would really enjoy it. Can you explain what you have to do in the gundog training?
I go to gundog classes with both my dogs - and I also run a gundog class for beginners at our club. We start off with very simple single marks, and the dogs learn steadiness (i.e. they learn to wait until they are sent, rather than running in to get the dummy), they learn to mark the fall of the dummy and remember where it is, they learn to come straight back, and to do a nice delivery to the handler. We also teach scent work and hunting, which means a dummy (usually a very small one) is hidden somewhere, and the dogs learn to search for it on command. We teach directional control, that means sending the dog back away from you, and left and right, at a distance, and we teach the dogs to run out to a 'blind' (i.e. a dummy that they haven't seen fall). We then also practice double marks (two dummies), and a mark in combination with a blind... But that is getting a bit complicated, and it is all very easy and fun to begin with. The dogs absolutely love it; and the great thing is that the dog and handler team develop a great bond through this teamwork. Most Labradors retrieve naturally, and it is all about harnessing this natural ability. You never actually have to go shooting or have anything to do with guns, and ultimately the training that we do at my club leads to competitions and tests, though not everyone goes down that route.
