Milo my choc lab is now approaching 7 months. We have met a lot of dogs on our walks, of all sizes and breeds and he seems fine with them all. Tonight at puppy foundation training he met a new dog, a lovely cocker, and they played together a bit on leads, before the class started. They were both rolling around, and pawing each other. The lesson was on socialization and it went well til the end when we had to take it in terms to walk past other dogs, stop, turn our dog away, and say a quick hello to the owner, then take our dog up to the other dog. Milo got a bit excited and put his paws on the other dog. The trainer then told me to push Milo backwards, away from the dog, on his chest, as it wasn't polite to put paws on other dogs. I have been a bit concerned that if he meets a smaller dog and plays he could hurt it unintentionally if he is jumping around. It was quite embarrassing as Milo then rolled around on the floor, and started mouthing his lead and the trainer! She took his lead off but then he mouthed her and wouldn't let her put the lead back on! She asked if he did it to me when I put the lead on but he doesnt. In fact he sits and waits for harness and lead to be put on/taken off and never moves! On walks I can swap his training lead for his normal lead with no problem, and can hold him with one hand and open out the ramp to the car with the other while he sits beautifully. I'm left feeling a bit like the parent of a naughty child. So upset as up to the last five minutes he did brilliantly.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Sorry to hear you've had a bad end to your training class ;( When Harley done puppy classes, she could loose concentration near the end, especially is the trainer spoke a lot. I did feel embarrassed a few times, but after speaking to some of the other people I found out they were feeling the same. We all decided to set our own targets and be realistic about them. This really helped
Re: Training class - embarrassing time I know what it's like to have a playful dog in class Classes are generally a long time to ask for concentration from a dog of any age, but especially a young dog or pup. It sounds to me like Milo's powers of concentration were a bit low by the end and he just ended up doing some playful, puppyish things. I really wouldn't worry at all All I'd do is make sure I didn't expect him to concentrate so long in future that he gets worn out mentally and can't focus. So if you notice him getting fidgety just pop outside for a little walk about, a sniff and a mental break where he's not asked to do anything. You don't need to do everything the instructor says - it's not like school It honestly sounds to me like he is going fantastically well for a dog his age
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Oh, piffle! If your trainer thinks that's bad, she hasn't met many 7 month old labradors! Sounds extremely tame and calm to me. My hooligan was an absolute disgrace in training classes at 7 months - mad, crazy, over excited and very typical young lab! Mind, he's not much better now! ;D ;D ;D Sounds like you're doing fine to me.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Well I hold my hand up....we failed miserably at puppy class....I was so embarrassed, it was like having kangeroo on speed. He just got so excited. He had to do some exercises that just wound him up. No way could he walk past the other puppies. He spent most of the time pulling like a train, eyes like huge saucers and hovering up so much kibble he was sick at the end... :-\
Re: Training class - embarrassing time [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=8438.msg119307#msg119307 date=1414097466] Well I hold my hand up....we failed miserably at puppy class....I was so embarrassed, it was like having kangeroo on speed. He just got so excited. He had to do some exercises that just wound him up. No way could he walk past the other puppies. He spent most of the time pulling like a train, eyes like huge saucers and hovering up so much kibble he was sick at the end... :-\ [/quote] We had issues for sure. Not that I think we failed in any way (we actually made great progress) but Harv was far and away the most excited dog at the class every week. Not only did he pull like a train but, after a while, his relentless efforts left him puffing like a steam train too : - we regularly took 'time outs' for him to calm down while the others continued with the class. Fortunately our trainer was used to labs and all we got was the odd 'Oh Harrrrvvv' and a wry smile I've no doubt that Harv was the class clown but it's nothing I was embarrassed about - as far as I was concerned we weren't there to put on an obedience demonstration for everybody else, we were there to learn (and primarily it was me that needed to do the learning, not Harv!). Keep at it Suze, they do get better (not overnight, but gradually).
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Milo was just being a normal pup. If the trainer cannot cope with that then she shouldn't be teaching. Sounds like she should have a message "only fully trained dogs on this course". There were 3 Labs on my puppy course, they were by far the most exuberant dogs there, but I came to the conclusion that their friendliness is part of the problem. I see one of my fellow classmates around, a cute little spaniel - pulls like a train and as far as I can see receives no correction. Molly does pull sometimes, but can you really expect a 1 year old with that fabulously sensitive nose NOT to investigate? But we are continuing with the training and she is improving.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time [quote author=UncleBob link=topic=8438.msg119320#msg119320 date=1414101254] as far as I was concerned we weren't there to put on an obedience demonstration for everybody else, we were there to learn (and primarily it was me that needed to do the learning, not Harv!). [/quote] So much this! I've not been to training classes but having been in similar situations with other courses, this is the one thing to keep in mind. If you could do it already, you wouldn't be there. The focus should be on the instructor to teach you the methods to get to where you want to be, not on you to put on a performance for everyone else.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Thanks for all the supportive posts folks.Yes I must keep in mind that I am a novice and there to learn and can't expect to be perfect and that it is the instructors job to teach me.I didn't do her puppy socialization class as it was billed for dogs up to Five months and because she has two months off in the summer he was nearly six months by the time we started.For that reason went into junior class.I didn't want the risk of him getting excited and jumping on tiny puppies.TBH it was the holding him by the collar until he stopped wriggling that got me.He was only playing.If it had been me I would have distracted him with a toy or treat so the class could go on.I think she was showing how owners should be in control.I wouldn't have minded if he did have a problem with mouthing! On several occasions comments have been made along the lines of ,oh so and so will know this from my puppy class.Maybe she wanted me to do that before.I did ask and she said join the junior class! She has labs herself so would have expected her to expect some lively behaviour at times.Some of the six weeks have been good but some have involved her talking and only ten minutes of doing an exercise.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Some trainers think one size fits all and blame the dog or the owner when things go a bit awry. Sounds to me like you have a normal lab puppy and from experience of owning many other breeds I can say labs are different to the norm and we are travelling a huge learning curve with Elsie because she has none of the behaviours or maturity our others have had. Probably think me mad but the extended puppy age is lovely I think, when she isn't embarrassing me that is
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Ooh, I hate training sessions where there is a lot of talk and only a few minutes of actual exercises! Don't worry, we all have really embarrassing times. And as my trainer himself says - a training session where nothing goes wrong, isn't a training session at all.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time I've certainly had times at training classes when I've felt myself going as red as a beetroot and I'm sure most people have experienced this. It does sound as if your pup had just got a bit bored and wasn't doing anything very awful anyway. I'd give it another few sessions, but if you don't like it after that perhaps look for a different class.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Keep,your chin up....all sounds perfectly normal to me...I think the Trainer at my first round of classes was surprised I kept turning up,she must have thought my life was really bad to voluntarily choose to put myself through the humiliation every week ;D We then did a second round of classes at about 12 months.....these went much better as I'd practiced everything we'd been shown in the first set but felt ready to work around distractions ( yes,I was actually seeking them out ;D !) I used to feel embarrassed and self conscious but I don't now....I think dignity goes out the door when you are are at dog training with a Labrador ;D ;D ;D
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Thanks for all the replies, makes me feel a lot better. There is only one lesson left of the block of 6 I have paid for for this puppy foundation course. I think Milo can do most of the things he needs to to get the award but we will see what the trainer says next week! I had already decided not to go on to the KCGC bronze as I know he would need much more than the 4 week course to pass. Been a bit disappointed with the course as my aim was to get better at loose lead walking, walking around dogs/people and we have only done about 10mins on each over the five weeks.When my previous dog, a cocker, was young I went to another class (no longer running) and we did loads more. I was keen on this trainer initially as she is near to me and does agility and treiball for older dogs which I fancied. Maybe I am guilty of taking things to heart too much but did feel like I was back at school in the dunces corner lol. Ihave decided that I may look for another trainer in the spring, when the weather is better, as there is one not too far recommended by a friend. Until then I will carry on the training at home ie loose lead walking, longer stays, getting him used to going past people/dogs. He is still only young and labs seem to be very exuberant, friendly dogs so toning down their natural behaviour might be a little more challenging. There again most breeds have their problems, dont they, none are perfect. Our cocker was a lovely dog but pulled like a train!
Re: Training class - embarrassing time I think in a training class you have to be thick skinned and not take everything to heart. Dog trainers are usually a pretty forceful lot! However, training classes are for training and not testing ;D If the dogs behaved perfectly, what is the point in going.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time The problem with classes is that you often have to wait while everyone has a turn of what has been taught. This can mean that you see very little action during the class. It is sometimes quite instructive to watch others getting it wrong. After Molly's puppy training classes I chose to have 1-2-1s. It is not expensive when you compare it to a course and you are guaranteed the trainers undivided attention.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Hi all just to say our last training lesson went quite well after the fiasco last week! There were only three dogs there including Milo so almost !:1 attention lol. Did work on stopping jumping up, sit, stand,down and growing/examining your dog. Naughty I know, but I was secretly pleased to see both the other dogs (cocker and pug) jumped up too! With labs being so big it just looks so much worse when they do jump though doesnt it?The trainer showed us how to stop jumping by giving the "off" command. milo cottoned on pretty quickly that if he stopped and sat he got a treat. Now to put it into practice with any visitors, people on walks. He is getting much better at walking on past people now, and I dont always feel I need to cross the road to avoid objects/people! Problem I have is when strangers or other dogs want to greet him and I would rather not!
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Great to hear you felt better at this class and sounds lie, you worked on a lot.... [quote author=suze12 link=topic=8438.msg120798#msg120798 date=1414749766] With labs being so big it just looks so much worse when they do jump though doesnt it? [/quote] So true!ive also noticed this with the pulling and lunging...so many little dogs in our neighbourhood are on their back legs barking their heads of at us but they don't get the tuts and eye rolling that we got!and I was trying to do something about it! ;D [quote author=suze12 link=topic=8438.msg120798#msg120798 date=1414749766] Problem I have is when strangers or other dogs want to greet him and I would rather not! [/quote] I know,I know ! I used to feel really rude staying no to the people who had the courtesy to ask so I used to say yes but turn your back on him if he jumps! They didn't of course ;D so then you feel like you take a big backwards dive in your training.....I did start saying no,as I realised Dexter didn't love someone going down to pet him......now he tolerates it and will stay on a sit but he's 2.....although he will sometimes jump at me bizarrely .... You can always gowith Stacias advice and say Yes" but he's got mange! Makes me chuckle everytime that!
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Yes it is hard being the owner of a larger breed. Goodness knows how Great Dane owners go on I must admit if I am at a distance I do try to avoid people sometimes, it is so much easier. They do cause the dogs to get overexcited, and to be fair to Milo he doesnt jump at us at home really. In classes most of the dogs were smaller except for a well-behaved husky type dog, (did have a halti though!), so I felt like the one with the naughty clumsy toddler lol. Forgot to add, however, that we got our KC Puppy foundation certificate so it was worth it in the end Told the trainer we will be leaving Bronze for a while and she was fine with that. She did say she is thinking of starting a group for those who just want to learn without doing the KC awards. The lessons will cover bits and pieces from the bronze, silver and gold levels, so that sounds ok, but for now just consolidating what he knows by ourselves. Would like to do agility maybe in the future.
Re: Training class - embarrassing time Glad the class went better and congrats on the puppy certificate. I understand that you don't want Milo to jump up at people, but perhaps think again about avoiding people, as it's important for Milo to get used to meeting strangers so you can confidently take him to a range of places when he's an adult. (I'm speaking as someone who didn't adequately socialise my last dog and it limited where he could go with me.)
