My Dog Flunked Out of Obedience Class

[Skywalker]

I am so proud.

I have owned dogs forever and have always just trained them at home, with no problems. This most recent dog we got I thought I am going to do it right and we enrolled in an 8-week training course. Just completed week 5 and the instructor requested we not return to the class since she didn't think we were really doing the homework and my dog was "disruptive" to the class. OMG I have never laughed so hard in my life. For the record, we DID do the homework, she is just..."headstrong"...that is why I am THERE. So we left with me mortified and trying to slink out quietly with her and her wagging tail banging against everything making as much noise as possible lol. We got back half our money though.

Just wondering about others' dog training experiences. Did you do it yourself? Pay for an obedience course? Any particular method that worked for a difficult dog? Any good do-it-yourself dog training manuals you have used?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh no! Lol

Find a different class! That is horrible. We attended classes with several different dogs over the course of years, and I never once saw anyone asked not to come back. That's crazy!

I train myself now, but I like to get my dog socialized with other dogs whenever and wherever I can.

Good Owners, Great Dogs is my favorite dog (well, people) training book.

Feel free to PM anytime if I can help.

Dogs are like kids, you never know what their personalities are going to be like and what's going to happen. You just have to roll with it. Trainer should understand that.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Sounds like the trainer failed, not the dog.

 

[JaxDad]

I don't understand. When you were asked to leave the class, were you laughing as hard as you have in your life or were you mortified and slinking out quietly?

As others have noted, there are many good training books out there. Read the Amazon reviews carefully. You might also try a private trainer.

 

[StephMK]

I'm sorry but that is hilarious and sad all at the same time! I don't think they are a very good trainer if they can't handle a challenge. My dog is an obedience school drop out! We quit going because it stressed me out. He's fine, spunky and semi-listens.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I had a very head strong westie puppy years ago. My vet recommended private lessons rather than group. We took about 4 private lessons. It was pricey but well worth the cost.

 

[izzy]

My cousin has two headstrong beagles. He bought a book on how to train your dog, and a few days later came home to find that they had gotten hold of it and tore it to shreds. Guess they wanted him to know who was boss!

 

[Magpie]

A friend of mine's dog was kicked out of a number of classes, including one for dogs with "behavioural problems". Sadly, she ended up having to be euthanized, due to aggression issues (repeated, random, unprovoked biting of family members).

If your dog's issues aren't too serious, I'd definitely recommend trying another class, or even private sessions. Good luck and best wishes to you all!

 

[Skywalker]

Oh no! Lol

Find a different class! That is horrible. We attended classes with several different dogs over the course of years, and I never once saw anyone asked not to come back. That's crazy!

I train myself now, but I like to get my dog socialized with other dogs whenever and wherever I can.

Good Owners, Great Dogs is my favorite dog (well, people) training book.

Feel free to PM anytime if I can help.

Dogs are like kids, you never know what their personalities are going to be like and what's going to happen. You just have to roll with it. Trainer should understand that.

Thanks Pea, I will definitely get that book, I appreciate the recommendation! It's true about the personalities all right.

 

[Skywalker]

Sounds like the trainer failed, not the dog.

Yep, didn't like the trainer anyway lol.

 

[Skywalker]

I don't understand. When you were asked to leave the class, were you laughing as hard as you have in your life or were you mortified and slinking out quietly?

As others have noted, there are many good training books out there. Read the Amazon reviews carefully. You might also try a private trainer.

Sorry if that was confusing. The laughing was last night at home with my husband over a glass of wine lol. Not in the instructor's face. Thanks for your detailed interested though!

I'm sorry but that is hilarious and sad all at the same time! I don't think they are a very good trainer if they can't handle a challenge. My dog is an obedience school drop out! We quit going because it stressed me out. He's fine, spunky and semi-listens.

What type of dog is that? Were you stressed out by the dog or by the instructor/class?

I had a very head strong westie puppy years ago. My vet recommended private lessons rather than group. We took about 4 private lessons. It was pricey but well worth the cost.

Thank you for the idea..I will look into private lessons for sure.

My cousin has two headstrong beagles. He bought a book on how to train your dog, and a few days later came home to find that they had gotten hold of it and tore it to shreds. Guess they wanted him to know who was boss!

THAT is hilarious

A friend of mine's dog was kicked out of a number of classes, including one for dogs with "behavioural problems". Sadly, she ended up having to be euthanized, due to aggression issues (repeated, random, unprovoked biting of family members).

If your dog's issues aren't too serious, I'd definitely recommend trying another class, or even private sessions. Good luck and best wishes to you all!

I am sorry to hear about that...that's really sad. My dog's issues aren't that serious, she is just a pain, but not aggressive.

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Sounds like the trainer failed, not the dog.

I agree, I would totally find somewhere else to go. Find a teacher who is not willing to give up.

 

[katie01]

That is so funny! What exactly was your dog doing to be disruptive? Our first dog (in adulthood, I had several dogs growing up) e was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We didn't get kicked out of the class, but our dog wasn't following directions at all because he was attempting to hump all the other dogs during class (can I say that on the Dis)? When the class was over our instructor said it wasn't our dog's fault, he was just a small dog amongst other very large dogs in the class, so that behavior was just his way of trying to show some dominance or something. She suggested we take another course and she'd make sure it was mostly small dogs in the class.

We never did take a second course, but our dog grew into a nice well-behaved dog. We have a Shih Tzu mix now and have never done any training class with her either. She is a very good girl though, pretty lazy so she doesn't cause any destruction (she did chew furniture as a puppy) and is wonderfully house trained now (it took awhile but I'm very proud of her for getting it, I've heard some people say they knew of Bichons and Shih Tzus (which is her mix) that never became fully house trained! Her one behavioral problem is that she goes out of her mind wih excitement to meet other dogs and new people, and wants to jump. I've thought of taking her to a class for that, but wonder if she could even get through one class without having a heart attack from the excitement of being around all those people and dogs. I'm thinking maybe a personal dog trainer might be better, but also half wondering if there are just certain behaviors you're never going to work out of some dogs. And if this is the "worst" thing we have to deal with with her, I won't complain.

Hope you can find something that works for your dog

 

[3Gsandme]

We have found that having private classes is really the best when you have a spastic dog who's easily distracted. Our local place offers private courses and we all got the most out of that. Our monster puppy will be heading off to private lessons this fall.

I should add; our dogs are well socialized wit dogs and people and get along great with other dogs.

 

[Magpie]

I am sorry to hear about that...that's really sad. My dog's issues aren't that serious, she is just a pain, but not aggressive.

I'm SO glad to hear that!

And I hear you about the dog being a pain. Mine's anxious and can't be left alone (or she chews her own tail bloody, even circumventing the Cone of Shame to get at it). Other than wanting/needing to be glued to us 24/7, she's a great dog.

 

[loves to dive]

We just trained ours ourselves, mostly just spoiled her rotten. She's a little 7lb Yorkie and very submissive to other dogs except those she knows well. The only real problem we have is that my honey works from home so she is never alone, if he is working outside while I'm at work and she is in the house for any length of time, she will punish him by going upstairs and pooping on the floor. She only does it if he is working outside, she has no problems if we both leave and she is by herself but if she knows he's out in yard without her, she lets him know she isn't happy and that's new for the last week or two. Otherwise, we can take her out in the yard with no leash and she will stay in our yard, when I want her to come all I have to do is snap my fingers and point my finger and she will come and sit by me.

 

[Kitty 34]

Don't feel bad. One of my son's dogs flunked this spring.....they had to get a doggie tutor for the dog instead!

 

[wenrob]

Sounds like the trainer failed, not the dog.

This! I've never known a good trainer who didn't think a dog could be trained. I could see suggesting one on one but to ask you to leave? I have to admit I laughed though.

I train my pups myself. My current brat is well, a brat. She's insanely smart which makes her easily trainable but it also makes her think she can buck the system. Like yours she is very headstrong. I have learned not to let her get away with forgetting her manners. This generally works but my biggest issue is other family members letting her get away with it so I always feel like it's a battle of wills between us. (she's a well mannered dog 90% of the time though) Repetition and positive reinforcement usually gets me quick results. Stick with your pup, she'll get it. Good luck!

 

[kimblebee]

I know nothing about dogs and I trained my husbands dog...somewhat. He's a stupid dog, so it's taken a Lot of work and patience (man, it tested my patience) but he can now sit, stay (for the most part), come when called, go to his mat when told, and now is housebroken (he used pee pads before..on a side note EWWWWW). I am the dogs master so all I usually have to do is snap my fingers and give the command and he'll do it. When I trained him, I was very no nonsense. I don't spoil the dog or treat it like a baby at all. I did praise him a lot when he did something right, though, as that was his motivation. He has no interest in any toys and has a sensitive stomach so he doesn't get treats. A good scratch is all he needs to be happy.

 

[Bilberry]

I don't know if I should mention this. It's likely not of much value. It's on the extreme side. It is one of the bigger items to talk about with the folks in my parents neighborhood at the moment.

One my parents neighbors adopted a golden retriever. I remember seeing the dog and it had aggressive tendencies I thought. Then again too retrievers can have lots of energy. The owners took the retriever to obedience class I have been told. They also hired a trainer to come out and work with the dog in the neighborhood. I remember seeing that trainer work with the retriever. The dog was a poor learner.

The neighborhood talk happened when one of the other neighbors was out walking his old giant Afghan dog. While walking in front of the condo where the golden retriever lived, the golden retriever ran out and tackled the neighbor walking the Afghan. He was knocked out for awhile. He also broke his collar bone. It was doubly tragic as additionally his wife suffers from MS I believe and is largely confined to home. She needs her husbands help for many tasks.

Well, the neighbor that broke his collar bone due to the dog that did poorly/ failed obedience classes has come out of retirement. He used to be a successful attorney. As can be imagined he is suing the owners of the dog that tackled him breaking his bones, and limiting his ability to care for his wife. He's been gathering information from others in the neighborhood building his case.

I don't know how this will all turn out but I say jokingly, somewhat, it wouldn't surprise me if the attorney ends up owning a second condo in the neighborhood.