Sorry you have GF hope you are soon well again. You and Harley will be fine. Fred and Annie don't go to classes anymore. They are just fine and happy. I think along as they mix well with people and other dogs that's ok and anything else is just down to what you want for your dog. Don't be hard on yourself.
I do sometimes think Vanilla and Cassie the yellow and black versions of the same dog This is my main issue now. I too blow hot and cold about classes.
SNAP! This is the main reason we keep going to class - plus Coco really REALLY enjoys it. I can't risk him running off to dogs when out and about, so he never gets the opportunity, so we don't get to train - except in class. Plus, it's a cheap night out
So sorry to hear you are unwell, I agree with the general consensus, you will both be fine without going to classes for a while. I too was worried when Mabel couldn’t go to class for 4 months. She was fine, I had continued with clicker training and the basics until she was strong enough to go back to class after surgery. She takes her KC gold next week but today’s practice was a disaster. She loves going to class and I’ve made some new friends. Be kind to yourself and take care. X
Not such a cheap night out when I break the cost down into each class. But I am hoping through further classes she will start to settle down around dogs. Because we have done a lot of LAT, she now sits down and then looks at me for a treat. Only way to get her walking passed a dog is through luring. Getting less and less, bit still. One day I am sure she will sit off lead and the walk nicely next to me passed dogs
I would definitely advize a novice with to have classes. We did learn a huge amount and it has been great for Harley. I think that once I am feeling better I will be able to consider this with an objective eye. Right now I just want to stay home
My thoughts are that you've done the most important bit which are the puppy classes, and if you feel up to taking more classes later that's always a bonus, but as others have said you can continue the training yourself if you don't have a specific need that a class would fulfil for you. With Labs it's probably more so about teaching them to focus around other people/animals! That would be my motivation for continuing courses with my dog.
