"Yes" I hear lots of you joyfully exclaiming! I know I should enjoy it but I leave feeling quite flat. Why is it held at night after one has had a long day at work? I don't know who is tireder, me or Chepi, after her day at day care. We both arrive at the class and flop. While everyone is keen to jump up and show off what they can do, Chepi is stretched out on the floor, barely raising her head and I am almost sliding off the bench, shoulders curled, hands hanging limp, ape-like. The main thing that perks us up is when the citronella collar spray is activated on the boisterous spaniel next to us: just let'em try to put that thing on Chepi! The instructors are showing us how to do silver and gold tasks before we have mastered the bronze using the hopeful phrase: "When you go on to Silver ... blah blah blah". Quite frankly I can't see us passing Bronze. Why is it then, that when we are out and about, lots of people are amazed at how well behaved Chepi is? Really, I feel quite ashamed not to be on top of the Bronze and am considering giving up. Oh and yet again, there's more gold testing next week so no bronze class. It seems to be dragging on and I feel we are going backwards. So, who has a more positive experience?
I gave up bronze about this time last year. Molly wasn't the worst in the class but we were really struggling with the stay and I just felt unhappy. Instead we went to gun dog classes for a while, which helped in all sorts of ways, and now this year we've gone back to bronze again. A year has made a huge difference - the stay is a doddle now -and (although I know I shouldn't count my chickens) I'm confident we'll pass next week. So if you're not happy, leave and either train alone or look for an alternative.
I agree with Joy. If you're not enjoying it, and Chepi isn't enjoying it, what's the point in continuing? Do you have a regular day off where you can find a class that you might enjoy doing together? Maybe something completely different?
Cuillin was bored rigid at her KC bronze class. She seemed to pick stuff up ok but then had to do it again and again. She spent most of the class trying to drag me out of the door! We left and I dowloaded the requirements for the test, trained her in the park but made it really good fun, and asked the woman who ran the class to have a session with us once I thought we had mastered everything to see if we could sit the test. We wete allowed to sit it even though we hadnt gone tbrough the formal classes. Much better for us!
I found that training alone was so much better for us . All are different of course, dogs and owners, but if you aren't enjoying it, its time to move on
I'm definitely of the opinion if it's not fun don't even bother with the classes. Here in France I'm yet to find anything like the KC Award scheme I just found a trainer (through my vet) and had 1-2-1 lessons with her where we could concentrate on what I wanted to achieve with Juno. Most of our lessons focused on walking around town to learn about traffic, people etc. and always ended with an off lead romp. As I was never bothered about Juno formally walking to heel but only on a loose lead it worked wonders for us and then of course we join the 'balade educative' once a week for a joint romp, sorry walk, with four legged friends. I would say decide what you want to achieve with Chepi and plan accordingly and it doesn't need to be in a formal class with other dogs
I have to admit that the only reason I signed up for the class was because they insisted on us passing it before we can do agility. But I do think "what am I doing here?" I will think about it during the next couple of weeks. I can't see any of us being ready, the rest of the class is on its second run of classes as no dogs were ready for the test last time. Thanks for your responses, I was feeling quite a failure but now I don't feel so bad
I really wouldn't bother if you are not enjoying the classes. Although it does sound like perhaps the timing doesn't suit either of you right now. meaning age wise possibly with Chepi, and time of day (both of you! ) We haven't gone through any of the KC award training schemes, however Benson is doing really well at agility and loves it! Are there other agility courses you could maybe try that don't require certification through the KC scheme? We enjoy the occasional Yoof club at Widgets farm, where we can focus on certain skills and games especially for adolescent dogs, these classes are all outside and Benson really enjoys them. Other than that we just focus on training on our morning walks, when Benson is fresh and more receptive. I find a mix and match structure of training works well for Benson, some formal training with lots of games thrown in. I also have found having a goal and working towards that in terms of training is helpful..so everything we do is geared towards that.
If you're not enjoying it I'd definitely give up. It sounds like a chore. Mabel passed the bronze after three classes. She loves the instructor so much. She's such a floozie at times. . He made the classes great fun. Haven't started silver yet due to her surgery but I really miss going. I also went to his clicker course which was brilliant. I feel we have found a great trainer who recognises my needs as an owner and understands Mabel's personality. I planned to go to a gundog trainer after puppy foundation but things have worked out so well we haven't changed trainers. I think find a trainer on your wave length and it will be fun again. Of course easier said than done
