I am stuck between a bit of a rock and a hard place at the moment. On weekends my work is various hours during the day and driving to my current training class takes about 30 min one way. I know it doesn't sound like much but it is more than what I would like and when I have appointments on a Saturday I am tightly squeezed for time to get there and back. So today I went to have a look at a training class close to where I stay. They practice ethical training and use positive reinforcement but it is a big, busy school and they appear to much more serious. I don't want to compete, I don't really care that Harley has an untidy sit. But at this school this type of thing is important, so I feel like it is abit out of my league. So my question is: is it okay if I don't take Harley to classes for a few months? There is no question about continueing clicker training at home, she loves it, I love it and it forms part of our time together. I do need to work on aspects of basic obedience, her heel isn't great and lately she has broken a few stays at class. But when I took it back a few stages to shorter stays she was fine and I will increase it again and proof. Also I am really enjoying the monthly challenges on the forum etc. Yesterday I was diagnosed with glandular fever, so it explains so much about how lethargic I have been for the last few weeks, plus the frustration of the sore throat and "cold" that wouldn't go away. I think this physical slump is also playing a part of not wanting to start with a whole new group of people. Or having to stand my ground with not being as serious about training as they are, and to be fair - if the trainer is up front about the standard, I don't feel it is appropriate to go there and refuse to attempt the work. I don't think it helped when she told me we will neaten up Harley's sit and I laughed out loud. I don't think I am a hard core training person. Wow, this has been a ramble.
I think it is perfectly ok not to do training classes and if you are unwell you need to focus on getting better. If you are keeping up training at home, then that’s all you need to think about. I am coming to the conclusion myself, I am not a hard core training person either. Never did it with Sky and she has turned out ok. I think we automatically keep the training ongoing in real life.
Absolutely fine not to go to training classes at all, if they don't suit ! I`m sorry you are feeling so rubbish , GF can be quite horrible so I hope you feel better soon x In my humble opinion , a poor class is far worse than no class at all , and far more important is socialising with other dogs and people . Training is an ongoing thing , can be done at your pace and your dogs attention span ! Look after yourself x
First of all let me say sorry you''ve been unwell and are now diagnosed with glandular fever. Secondly, and I don't know if I should admit this, you appeared in my dream last night , not sure what this says about me and how much time I spend on this forum I think it's fine not to go to classes, especially if you're feeling low and stressed, after all enjoying being with our dogs is what it's all about. Harley is so happy and appears well socialised, and there's so much we can do at home. So I say ease up and take care of yourself.
Woah, back up there, nelly! We need details!!! Sorry you're feeling rubbish, @Harley Quinn (although not rubbish enough to stop you partying all night in people's dreams!), and hope you feel better soon. I have never been to regular classes with my dogs; they don't exist where I live. I go to gundog training as and when I can when I'm in the UK, but that's no more than once or twice a year. All the everyday stuff we do is entirely self-taught though. So, no, you absolutely don't need classes. I've found whenever I've needed to ask a question about training, someone on this forum has been able to point me in the right direction.
Sorry you are feeling rotten (or thank you @snowbunny for my new favourite UK expression "feeling rubbish") and hope you are on the mend soon. For the classes, get that guilt off your shoulders. Take a break if you need to, or change it up to another school or method if you think you would really miss actually going to class. Training classes should be fun. If they feel like a chore, Harley will feel that too. And while I do think classes (or 1x1 instruction) can be important for total newbies and certain other cases where the dog will have a specific job, that doesn't sound like your case. So if you want a break 100%, take a break. If you think you'd miss the group interaction, maybe substitute with a dog-walking group or find if the school near you may offer "fun" classes that aren't geared towards competition - agility, doggie dancing, fun tricks, fly ball, etc. If you're happy working with Harley at home and just want some help or support to continue your progress from home, there seem to be lots of online options. My dog Brogan and I loved classes when he was younger, but when we did his assistance dog certification, I couldn't find a local school that had the right program for us. We ended up doing the entire course remotely, with weekly checkins by phone or email with the trainer. We then traveled for the 4 day/16 hour test and we aced it (if I may be ever so humble ). While I personally LOVE going to class, the truth is both of us learned better using that self-paced, 1x1 remote trainer approach. So taking a step away from the classes you're finding stressful at the moment just may start you on another path you and Harley like even better!
I stopped classes with Tatze when she was about 18 months old. She’s far from perfectly well behaved but she’s more than good enough for me.
I'm with everyone else - you're continuing to work with her at home, and you know what you want, so skip the classes till you can fit it in! Sorry you're feeling shirty, I hope you are 100% soon!
Just agreeing with everyone else that classes aren’t necessary -and not even training at home, once you’ve got the basics. As long as Harley has some time walking and playing with you each day she’ll be fine. I have plenty of time so take Molly to classes as a hobby, but with previous dogs I trained them myself and all I covered was loose lead walking, recall and ( to some extent) stay. I hope you start to feel better soon.
Firstly, thank you for all the support. Feeling this rubbish (now a clinical term) has been rough on us all. I haven't been out and about with Harls as much but I must say she is being a star about it. Hah!! Selina! I love hearing about dreams and, not inflating my own relevance, but I seem to be in a number of people's dreams. Whether that is because they know I love hearing about dreams so they tell me when I am in them or, like in your case, they mention it I don't know. I work so much with my own dreams in my personal therapy/supervision sessions.
Sorry you're not well. I'm with everyone else you do what's best for you Just take a break get some rest and get well. Best wishes x
Agree with all above - you do what is right for you and Harley and you won't go wrong. And get well soon xx
It was hardly a party All I can recall is a lady with a South African accent sitting at a table, talking about what I think was clicker dog training. That's it !
I agree with the general consensus here. At the end of the day classes are a tool to do a job. If the job doesn't need completing right now or if you have another tool that you think would work better for you then why should you feel obligated to stick with the original tool?
I gave up the KC classes with Ripple when it became apparent he was unlikely to ever sit long enough to pass the bronze , and at the same time we had problems with another dog (well it's owner really) in the class. We've done loads of stuff at home which he enjoys, and as he's got older we've gone on to gun dog training which is much more his sort of thing. I think if you follow your instincts you usually know what is right for your dog and that way get the best results and everyone is happier.
Sorry you are unwell, GF is not pleasant to have. I only go to classes because I enjoy going, but even then I am often bored! I go to 'fun' obedience and those who want absolutely perfect sits, train for that and those who don't, are more relaxed and the trainer understands. If you have more fun and enjoyment at home with clicker training, then both you and your dog are going to be happier.
We have been to a few different classes. I am not sure if it is purely me thinking that I have too because other people do (not everybody obviously) or that I think I will get something new out of it. On all occasions I have not learned something new, which is annoying given the costs involved. We are just finishing the last training class this Tuesday. We drive about 30mins to our class, and when you come home from work and running late it adds extra pressure you don't need/want. So most of our training has been at home and out and about. We both enjoy it and we can do it at our speed. Plus we don't get branded... All this is through books and online (just signed up to SG for 12months see what that brings us). Vanilla is a happy dog (I think) she looks and acts it anyway and I don't think it has done her any harm missing out on classes here and there. Our biggest issue is her running off to say hello to other dogs, and I am hoping signing up for the SG classes will help with that. We are getting better, but still sometimes it just goes pear shaped. So the end and moral of the story is; Don't feel bad and enjoy your training just the two off you in your own time. When it is right to go to class you will know.
We have also been to a few different classes/trainers. I stopped going completely when the third trainer, as well as the previous two, said ‘he’s doing well for a Chocolate’ and/or ‘never mind we don’t expect too much of a Chocolate’ or words to that effect. I’ve also been told ‘you don’t see Chocolate guide dogs do you?!’. Our last class was over six months ago and he’s learned so much with me at home.
