No, I never joined any training clubs, we just did training for fun for over 2 years, liked the socialization aspect of the group classes. I live on the South Shore, towards the Cape. Cody came close to earning CGC but was such a Mama's Boy he wouldn't stay put when I left the room, otherwise did well. He was only 7 months old then and I probably should have tried again when he was older but didn't. Would like to get it with pup (know I have to to go on to TD) but suspect I may run into same problem with her - they get so attached to me, LOL! She's a little shy so I have my work cut out for me.
Previously we trained using traditional methods (I had 2 GSDs, brother and sister pair, lost one this winter). We worked our way up to completely off trained but again, it wasn't Official Obedience, just a fun group for a well socialized dog. That was before I had twins and the training was over an hour away. Now we signed up for a class closer to home and though it has been very educational for most people in the class, I have been a little bored since dogs are my hobby and I'm well educated about them, and we have less time actually training than being lectured to. This group also uses food in training and *ready for this* doesn't do corrections
so it's a little confusing to me and subsequently my pup isn't trained to the level I'd like her to be at this point. It's also harder this time around having 2 six year old kids in the house who love her but tend to roughhouse (despite our training THEM not to) and give commands they don't follow through on, etc... The dog is also a food monger so I've almost cut out using treats as rewards. I'm thinking about going back to our original trainer despite the hour ride. It's an ongoing class and you get right to work training which is what we need. I do take the pup with me everywhere I can and she is with me all the time so actually she's probably better behaved than most dogs her age, I just know it can be better.
Funny, in our original training group, the aggressive dogs had to wear red collars so everyone knew who they were. No Rotties, Dobies or Shepherds had the red collars on, only the Labs, Shelties, Dalmations, etc... We always used to laugh about that.
Good luck this weekend. You've done awesome already and your dog is a lucky one to have such a great life!
