What do you want from a dog training class?

[John Thomson]

As a trainer who has spent over 20 years attending various training classes I have my own idea of what a training class should be........but my question is this........
What do YOU want for yourself and your dog from a training class?
Your likes/dislikes? Should it be fun? Should it be strict? Should there be tests? Should there be agility? What do you regard as important? What is not important to you?

I want classes to reflect what YOU guys want to get out of it........ so let me know.
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[linsey]

I would like a class that is relaxed and fun, with optional tests and maybe one or two set goals to work towards over the course of the "term"... these might be formal (tests) or informal, and they could be general goals for the whole class or maybe a bit more specific to your dog and its needs, as not all pooches are the same!

i would also like to try Leon on some of the agility stuff, but it would have to be pretty basic to start with as he is likely to be scared of it - as you know, he is scared of everything! (That could be one of our goals actually!)

Also smaller class sizes - but I know that will now be the case anyway as you said they would be limited to 12 or something.

Hope this is of some use to you.

Lx
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Dogs are the leaders of the planet.
If you saw two living creatures, one of them does a poo and the other carries it for him, who would YOU think was in charge?
- Laurence Billi

[lynn 01]

John

I am looking for exactly what we had. I enjoyed being able to ask for help with the bits that I found and still do find hard. I enjoy the fun and friendship that both myself and Bubbles have been rewarded with. I am looking forward to possibly doing a little bit of agility with her when she responds to my commands quicker.

Tests. I`m not against test but like the chance to do a Little practice so a week or so`s notice would be great.

Lynn
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My life belongs to a Collie

[Elizabeth]

I bring Cara to training because it gives me something to do and to have some fun with her.

I'd like to try agility with her. During the summer in Lindy and i's back gardens we setup some make-do agility courses and we took them round it was good fun
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Elizabeth and Cara
xx

[Lorna]

I would like my dog to be more obedient and respond more quickly to commands.
I don't mind doing tests. I would quite like it as long as we are well prepared, know in advance and I am given advice as to the likelhood of success. I would perhaps like to do more advanced obedience with him but I would appreciate your advice as my trainer on this.
I don't think Basil is designed for agility. Although we did enjoy having a go with the poles. I think agility would be really good for some of the dogs.
I love going on the walk and socialising Basil with the other dogs as I think it is really important for my dogs to respond well to other dogs and people.
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[Ashley]

These are really good questions John...

In an almost selfish way, I want to be more confident handling my dog and know how to understand dogs. Some of it may seem obvious, but only if you know what you are doing, and are able to adapt your mind easily to look at things from a dogs point of view. I dont always find this easy, until someone points something out (or I get my dose of The Dog Whisperer) then it all clicks back into place again.

I want to learn how to be more of a pack leader... sometimes I suddenly become aware that my voice or the way I stand or walk, conveys the idea that Im not confident. For me, the classes are about building my confidence which will in turn enable me to train Holly successfully.

I dont particularly like the idea of tests... all too nerve wracking for me, and I'd spend the days before it worrying and running to and from the loo lol (too much info there, I apologise). I do think that it should be fun, as I feel this will relax people, including myself.

Teaching commands is obviously important, but for younger dogs I also think it is important for them to learn to greet other dogs, and be more confident themselves, instead of shying away (as Holly tends to do). Im sure this will come with time with Holly, as people tell me.

I like the idea of goals, as we all like something to work towards, and I particularly would like that to be done on a more individual basis. I know this would mean you having to almost take note of each dog and owners progress, but that way it would remove the pressure to be 'up to scratch' with everyone else. So individual goals I would say would be great.

So.... to sum that ramble up...
KNOWLEDGE of dogs which leads to CONFIDENT OWNERS which leads to PACK LEADER,
ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT (because I swear sometimes I could smack my head off a brick wall)
INDIVIDUAL GOALS and if need be, informal tests,
and most importantly, FUN for doggies and owners!
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Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!!

[linsey]

[Lindy]

Like this question John,

I would like from a class more of what I've gained over the past few months of training; confidence in handling the dogs, improved understanding of what commands etc I should be using and how to use them. I would like set goals much like Linsey has said and a relaxed and fun class, agility would be great as Dora is really good at some of the stuff I have done with her like the weave poles and the tunnel and will happily jump too, not tried Lizzy with agility but imagine she would enjoy it too.

Looking forward to it starting

[kendal]

my only experience with dog training has been when we got the girls. as both my mum's and my gran's dogs were around before i was.
since joining things seem to have gotten better and better, i feel more confident as a person and a dog handler.

i enjoy everything and like that the members are so involved in how things are run. i like the idea of verity in training including some agility. i also have no problems with tests, and like having gaols to work to.

i also enjoy the walks and other events that have been organized. the forum has also been a grate soars of information and support.


i think what i want from dog training is exactly what i am getting.
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microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[Gaelle]

I agree with with both Lorna and Ashley fun yes but goals to work towards to make you and your dog a safe pairing. Leadership training yes, understanding your dog yes,socialisation yes, obedience definitely. If it can be fun so much the better. To get a firm grounding in the basics and making learning fun for them. Let's face it Cuthbert gets excited by anything and once he gets excited his brains go flying in the opposite direction so teaching us how to help him focus and stuff like that is a necessity. Basically find out what his strengths are and build on them.

[Deborah Hamilton]

I would like Mishka to listen to me a bit better, and to hear what I am saying to her.

I don't know why but she isn't quite as good as she was as a pup. TEENAGERS!!.

My ultimate goal is to be able to give her a command which she does first time around. eg SIT STAY. She just won't stay these days.

I enjoy the fun when walking and training and don't have any objection to tests but would prefer to know beforehand to let me decide whether I wanted to do it or not.

[Fiona]

Well really I want Star to become more confident and Jake to do what he is told with out me having to repeat myself a million times!!

Socialisation for me is reallly important. I think people forget that dogs have to learn to act and behave as such around other dogs. People to often try to humanise there pets. I am very interested in doing agility with Star and Jake, that was probably one of the things I didn't like about the other classes, I never really got to do any.

The support network which we currently have is great, I feel I have made a great bunch of new friends and hope the forum continues to be a place of friendly fun people

I'm sure you will do a great job with your new club John and I can't wait to start classes on the 3rd

[Nikki]

Hi,

I agree with what everyone here has said but especially about getting Millie to listen without having to repeat myself constantly especially when there are other distractions around and the socialization aspect, especially with new people!!

Like Ashley I'm not so keen on the tests, I don't particularly do well with people judging me, I would more than likely fall flat on my face!!
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When a dog wags her tail and barks at the same time, how do you know which end to believe?

[Ashley]

Yes during a test is most likely when I would fall flat on my face too, Nikki, however I like a test in terms of giving me something to aim towards....

It is myself and my dog I dont want to fail. Im just very hard on myself... I'm my own critic!
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Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!!

[Nikki]

I know the feeling Ashley!
I just realised the other day that you and Holly are at Puppy School with Me and Mille!!

She's so cute and so well behaved! You should be very proud!!
_________________
When a dog wags her tail and barks at the same time, how do you know which end to believe?