Obedience classes -which one is the right one?

[Rowstymitt]

Hi everyone,

I posted back in the early spring with questions about obedience books and got a variety of answers (thanks!). Now that school is out and I have some time during the day, I'd like to get Siri to some obedience classes. I have found several in my area - what's the best way to figure out which ones are the best/most appropriate for us? I figure each trainer has a different method, but not sure what questions to ask to determine which training we need.

Just as background, my Siri is two and a half. She's now been with us for six months (got her out of a rescue/shelter/sort of odd situation) so she is used to the family now. She knows sit, down, and wait. Still working on come. She walks pretty well on a leash, and I can have her in our unfenced yard with me and she stays close, although I haven't tried that for long periods of time. She's definitely a velcro dog, and I have the feeling that she would ride around in my pocket if she could figure out a way to do so. I have the thought that I'd eventually like to train her as a therapy dog - however, she is a little shy around strangers. When we're out she just puts her tail down, but does allow others to touch her/talk to her - she is not aggressive at all. At home, she will sometimes bark at people who come to the door and back away - again, no aggression but definite timidity. Is this something she could get over? Or is therapy out of the question for her?

Thanks for any advice you could provide. I know one of the classes is at a therapy organization, one uses something called the motivational method, and a third is highly regarded locally but I don't know much about them other than they train for agility among other skills.

 

[Capri]

I would definitely go and watch (without dog) before going to the actual classes. When you don't have your dog with you, you can fully concentrate and see what methods they actually use for training. It's easy to say you're using this-and-that-method as it sounds great, but if they're not actually applying it, it's a whole different deal. So go without dog and see which class you'd feel most comfortable asking questions in, and actually participating with Siri.

Therapy isn't out of the question as long as she gets over the fear of strangers. It's a long term process (depending on what level of fear she has), but it's not impossible with the correct type of training . Good luck!

 

[Angela]

Are there any CGC classes in your area? That might be a good start for her.

 

[wrknnwf]

Go and watch the classes as Bettina suggested. You don't want to use any harsh methods with a shy dog. Agility can really bring a dog out of it's shell, though.

At home, keep a bag of the best, really yummy goodies near the door. Something your dog loves. When someone comes in, hand them a treat to offer her. They should not bend over her, or move towards her, just offer it in an open hand. Do the same in public places when you encounter someone willing to help out. If they want to pet, they should pet her somewhere other than her head. Chest or side is better. Make these encounters brief, so she doesn't have a chance to get overwhelmed. You want to feel like she wants more not less.

 

[R Taft]

We have been dealing with a very timid dog for the last 3-4 months. And we have been doing it all positive. We are lucky in that we are heavily into training and have a regular training sessions at our Grounds. there are many other Instructors who happily give treats to Lukey and he now thinks going to the kennel Club is a lot of fun. Amazingly all the new people he is meeting nowadays have treats.......
We have made going there a lot of fun. And we do the same at home, friendly strangers all giving out treats.
Luke has gone from tail between the legs, crawling in strange places or meeting new people to a dog with a gay tail.......His Breeder was most surprised when she saw him at the newfie specialty this weekend. Here he was trotting along happily. When before he crawled (and he got third in his class ).

And Lukey is also going to be a therapy dog now, he loves kids........You can do it with some effort and giving your dog confidence again
I think only doing lots with your shy dog in a happy confident manner, will bring her out of it. And that is what I do love about going to training. the opportunity to meet lots of other dogs and people. But it is important to find a happy training place, where dogs are happy when being trained,
Like people said before, go and see and see how the dogs are being trained. At our Kennel Club the dogs all want to come in, they are happy and love socializing.
I hope you can find a happy place.

We did a really "bad" thing........We allowed Lukey to jump up when he lost some of his confidence. To him it is his ultimate reward. We call him up and he is actually very light. But it makes him smile and happy and seems to give him the confidence he needs.
So now before a stressful situation Mike says "up" and he is one happy chappy.

Agility did the same for Annabelle, who was also fearful. When she looses her confidence we find a "table" and up she jumps and we do some "give ten" /"give five" and she get it all together again.
So find a thing that makes your dog really happy, even with out food and use it when you get the stressful situations....
Good luck Ronnie