Well my hopes for an environment where Edsel could work on his training with distractions and activity are dashed! Even though I spoke with the trainer about it prior to starting classes, he obviously believes his way is the ONLY way. After being scolded, lectured and corrected....me, not Edsel, told I had to use a choker or I couldn't possibly correct him, and absolutely no opportunity for the dogs to interact with each other at all, I came home and realized this is not for us! I don't understand why people feel the need to fix something that's not broken. At 7 months Edsel and I are doing quite fine. I'm not having problems, just wanted the opportunity to let him work in a new setting. Ugh! Unfortunately this is the only game in town where I live. So, back to just finding our own opportunities with friends, family and public places. Good news is that we will be living part time in Oklahoma too and I am hopeful that I've found a positive reinforcement trainer there. Have emailed her and hope to talk on phone soon. Looks like no graduation party in our future! Lol! Lori
Re: First and .... last class. But you get TOP MARKS from me for knowing when something is wrong and walking away from it.
Re: First and .... last class. What a shame and how annoying for you. Hope the. Oklahoma trainer turns out to be positive, in every sense.
Re: First and .... last class. How disappointing !! But it definitely sounds like you made the right choice for you, Edsel and your sanity ! ;D
Re: First and .... last class. Well done for walking away. Choke chain or no chance of controlling him, indeed... If that indicates the kind of trainer, you wouldn't see me for dust either.
Re: First and .... last class. oh, thank goodness it's not just me.... we, too, had an abysmal experience with puppy class. like you, it was primarily for socialization and perhaps to get some helpful tips on the loose leash manners and the like.... the first week was lovely, and then that trainer fell ill and was out for an undetermined period of time.... new person took over. i abandoned it after 2 sessions with the new trainer.... the first thing she did in class was to walk over, take orion's leash, and simply tug him away from me to "demonstrate" how to walk properly on a leash. he PANICKED at this strange person pulling him away from me, and simply lay down and refused to move..... she got frustrated, handed the leash back to me, and said, "well, i don't know WHY he's shutting down like this, but i can't do anything here." and went on to the next dog!!!! i said, "BECAUSE A TOTAL STRANGER GRABBED HIM AND TRIED TO TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME." i was SO MAD. so... that was a no go, eh???? i'll train him myself... thank you very much. (it's worth noting every time he heard her voice after that he would BARK AND BARK...... hahahahahahaha - good for you, orion ).
Re: First and .... last class. Why why why are people still using these methods these days? The main thing is that you guys knew that is was not for you... Very disappointing though.
Re: First and .... last class. It's exceptionally irritating to me that so many people refuse to even consider that there are alternative methods that DO work! And I do not understand why a trainer would not first do these 2 things: 1) assess where you and your dog are in training and 2) ask what your goals for training are. How do you teach anything without that information? Lori
Re: First and .... last class. You may have read our experience. We have decided that Nelson fits our home and our lifestyle. We were told he was aggressive for barking in excitement at seeing his playmates who all use the green space to meet. One dog peed over someone and then bit a dog in the face at the end of the session. Apparently he bit a man the following week. We walked away...we don't want a crufts. The numbers were fewer the second week!
