This this is how we did the isolation, Homer in the broom cupboard of the Church Hall, one at a time, there were only two of us doing the Gold test.
I wouldn't ask the trainer if I could go back more of she gets upset, I would be saying that this is what I'm going to do. To get to the level you are already at is an achievement, and when it becomes stressful it is no longer worth doing. Being with our dogs should be fun.
So very true. Enjoy your time with your dog, enjoy what you do together. Why should she be cold and miserable lying worried on the gravel, what good is this ever going to do the pair of you? Find another course or certificate or trainer, and do that instead. Life is just too short to put yourself and your dog under such pressure. I speak from experience!!!!!
I have had Gold with all my 7 dogs and feel it isn't really worth getting your dog stressed up for. I forget I have it, doesn't really mean a thing now! I would wait and perhaps do it in the summer or is there another class in the district where you perhaps could take it? I also found there was quite a difference in the examiners, I have been to ones where they are very strict and ones who were very lax and it isn't worth getting unless it is judged correctly.
No it's about what is best for your girl! If she is showing stress in that environment and you are unable to work on teducing the stress the responsible action is not to put her in a stressful situation if it unnecessary.
Of course. I guess I was surprised as we have happily enjoyed a year of classes in that compound with assessments and she has enjoyed it all, and it is really the last two weeks I suppose that she has started looking a bit unhappy during specific exercises. If she is showing any of the same stress next week, we will stop. Sorry if I have come over selfish. The trainer looked completely surprised when I said that we wouldn’t do the final stay exercise because she was unhappy and that made me feel like I might be being over-sensitive. The thing is, sometimes she is upset in a situation (like when she got scared swimming in the summer), and then she suddenly gets over it and loves it again and I am glad I persevered a little. So it is sometimes hard to judge when to quit immediately or when to try again. I didn’t mean to sound irresponsible.
No you are right to be sensitive. If your dog is showing stress the responsible action is to do something about it and any responsible trainer would be applauding your decision . Yes dogs sometimes are unhappy with situations but we should give them the choice as to whether they are happy somewhere or not - particularly when it is something inconsequential and bezt practice is to desensitise over a period of time a few minutes at a time. I have yet to understand why the KC insist that a dog can't move from a certain position without being failed while in reality we just eant them to stay in a particular spot - perhaps that's why I, and many colleagues, don't train KC awards .
ok a little update, we went back to the training class for the final two classes before the assessment, me with renewed determination to do the exercises my way, and cut them short if she looked upset. And actually, the weather was better (and no cannon fire..!), she was happier again and so I decided to give the assessment a go. I also worked a lot at home gradually increasing the relaxed isolation, 10 seconds at a time, with lots of sardines. I also asked the trainer whether we could spend a little time before and after class by ourselves in the compound making the stays a fun, chicken-filled exercise again we had our assessment this morning and we passed! The examiner said with flying colours but the biggest thing was that the Pig was happy with no signs of stress (a little frustration towards the end because no treats were forthcoming, but that was to be expected). The funny thing is, as a result of all your advice, I actually already contacted a different training club that trains in a nice warm village hall for next term, and it awkwardly transpired that the lady I had spoken to who runs that new class was our examiner! But she seemed nice and fair. So I look forward to continuing working with the Pig, just in the warm this time, and hopefully with more freedom to gently build up behaviours and less pressure to do a full 'assessment exercise' every time. Thank you everyone!
Well done @Lara, that's good news all round, sounds like you are really tuned in to what works with the Pig and you avoided any stress for her. Any pictures of the Pig with her rosette?
aha now you ask... although I will make a new thread as 'depressing training class' seems a bad title for a triumphant rosette photo
Great job - your training success is something to be really proud of. Hope you really enjoy the new classes
