Afternoon all Ruby is progressing really well with us, and is now 12 weeks. On Tuesday we went to the first puppy socialisation class which is conveniently held on our farm (as the trainers use one of our barns to take the classes). Well, it got off to a terrible start as I approached the barn with Ruby on the lead (heeling beautifully) the trainers dog, unleashed came bolting out of the barn barking at Ruby! It's all a bit of a blur but I scooped Ruby up as the owner (trainer) came running out shouting at her dog to lie down (which she did) but Ruby was weeing everywhere in fright poor thing! I can only assume they normally hear the cars approaching and get their dog under control before people arrive, and so I surprised them by simply walking to the venue. Anyway - she rectified it by making me stand with Ruby sitting and they walked past with her dog under control, so that Ruby could see no harm would come to her. We then walked past the dog in a similar manner a couple of times, which Ruby did really well, and seemed wary but not frightened. What a nightmare So onto the class. Only one other puppy there - a teeny tiny jackapoo, who also lunged at poor Ruby. The dog trainer then helped show the owner how to politely introduce dogs (!!!). The class went pretty well in that Ruby was calm and a little angel, but I am a bit concerned about some of the advice as it seemed a bit old school 'show them you are the boss' type style, even though positive rewards were also being referred too. The biggest concern I have was with checking the lead when heeling - she suggests doing a hard flick/whip, if they pull. She said the dog doesn't associate the flicking with you, the owner, but with the lead. But I don't think a bad association with the lead is a good idea? What do people think? I have been using Pippa's technique of changing direction and using lots of rewards and praise for heeling (which she is so far really good at). Any thoughts on this? The other advice was about jumping up - she recommends pushing them away with your knees, which is not what I have been doing as it could hurt her - she's so lanky and clumsy, it just doesn't seem right. Plus my little ones are unable to do this, so it seemed pointless too... Argh! Feeling a little underwhelmed with the experience
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class Humm , a couple of things I dont care for there Emma , one being the sort of whip/flick of the lead . This can frighten sensitive souls and also cause damage to them physically , plus give them an aversion to the lead, not something I would ever advise . Neither do I hold with the " show them who is boss " scenario , its all a little old school dominance theory which isnt the way forward really . Its a case of encouraging pups to do our bidding because they want to and not because they are afraid not to so my advice would be to tread very carefully here . I think if ever you doubt, or feel uncomfortable , then you know the answer , but bless little Ruby for trying so hard
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class Emma it sounds as though the training you've been doing with Ruby is going well and I would be wary of spoiling that with this class. I too disagree with the lead flicking, in fact a dog that is scared of the lead could cause no end of problems. I'd carry on as you are and not go back :-\
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class Thank you Katie! I think I'm going to just have to go with my gut feel and ignore the old school advice. Thankfully Ruby is so biddable and we are working really hard on fun and positive training with her that I won't have to do any of this flicking or kneeing in class - and I'll just say I'm not comfortable with it/don't see the need, if I am asked to!! Just wanted to sanity check, so thank you for the response My main reason for going was for the socialisation! Hopefully there will be more puppies there next week 8)
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class Is there another class you can go to with more positive methods? Our training class is not for socialisation in the sense of greeting other dogs - in fact the dogs are expected to ignore each other as much as is possible. They are learning to be focussed on us - we are learning how to train and especially the timing involved. But there is no negative stuff at all - I wouldn't be comfortable with even watching the others doing it. I think socialising with other dogs needs to be done on walks off lead. That is where they learn to speak 'dog', on lead the body language is a bit confusing for them. In my view, training is 1 to 1, you and your dog. But with lots of other dogs there practicing the same things - i.e. lots of distraction!
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class [quote author=Missy33 link=topic=6297.msg83070#msg83070 date=1401364325] Emma it sounds as though the training you've been doing with Ruby is going well and I would be wary of spoiling that with this class. I too disagree with the lead flicking, in fact a dog that is scared of the lead could cause no end of problems. I'd carry on as you are and not go back :-\ [/quote] Thanks Missy - I agree I don't want to spoil anything. I'll see how next week goes as it's a bit awkward as they knew we were getting a pup and insisted we go along with her free of charge (as they rent the barn for very little I guess!). It's a nice gesture, but I certainly don't want any bad experiences for Ruby unnecessarily. :-\
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class [quote author=Boogie link=topic=6297.msg83080#msg83080 date=1401366259] Is there another class you can go to with more positive methods? Our training class is not for socialisation in the sense of greeting other dogs - in fact the dogs are expected to ignore each other as much as is possible. They are learning to be focussed on us - we are learning how to train and especially the timing involved. But there is no negative stuff at all - I wouldn't be comfortable with even watching the others doing it. I think socialising with other dogs needs to be done on walks off lead. That is where they learn to speak 'dog', on lead the body language is a bit confusing for them. In my view, training is 1 to 1, you and your dog. But with lots of other dogs there practicing the same things - i.e. lots of distraction! [/quote] I have found a trainer a few miles away who does one to one gun dog training, so I was planning on starting with her once the socialisation classes had finished - she seems much more in line with the positive training methods I am adopting
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class You're doing the right thing for you and Ruby. Everything that has been said I totally agree with. Didn't have a trainer for meg we did it ourselves but there was no way I would flick the lead to stop her pulling or use knees to push her away. I found that as a puppy meg was eager to please and therefore training wasn't that difficult. That's not positive training. Good luck to you and Ruby.
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class [quote author=lablover link=topic=6297.msg83093#msg83093 date=1401369267] You're doing the right thing for you and Ruby. Everything that has been said I totally agree with. [/quote] Having just experienced an old fashioned style trainer myself, I'm glad that you have decided to go with someone else! Well done and enjoy your training sessions. ;D ;D
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class Sounds very old school. I had my first 2 dogs 20 years ago and that was the norm. Now it is viewed very poorly and clearly with the right positive approach is not needed. My Meg is 15 weeks now and I would not dream of doing anything like that to her. She is half way through puppy classes and they us the same calm kind approach as Pippa. I hope your other trainer works out and you don't have to go back. Your little Ruby is just too special for those harsh methods, and so is every other dog. Best of luck Emma and Meg.
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class [quote author=Ems76 link=topic=6297.msg83073#msg83073 date=1401364580] My main reason for going was for the socialisation! Hopefully there will be more puppies there next week 8) [/quote] You are doing a great job already so if you don't get the socialization there I'd look for another class,it's not providing what you are looking for .I have heard mention of vets running 'Puppy Parties ' ?they don't do that here where I live in Dubai so I don't know a lot about it....in my memory Ternaya took Harley....but I could be wrong?x
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class [quote author=Dexter link=topic=6297.msg83284#msg83284 date=1401425580] [quote author=Ems76 link=topic=6297.msg83073#msg83073 date=1401364580] I have heard mention of vets running 'Puppy Parties ' ? [/quote] Yes they do parties at vets, I went to one last night that was great and really well controlled.
Re: Ruby's first puppy training class Yes Angela, I did take Harley to a small puppy party at my vets there were only 10 pups and it was controlled really well. It was just after her 2nd jab and they were all around 12-14weeks old it was fab
