got sent home from obedience

ange165 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:20 am Post subject: got sent home from obedience

for being "too distracted" and "off with the pixies" (Ruby, not me)
Today was an absolute nightmare.. I do not mean that lightly.
Again the trainers tried to blame Ruby's distractedness on the halti and asked me to take it off and try the flat collar. When the lady removed it, Ruby went absolutely mental and ran full pelt at another dog pulling me over onto the ground. I thought my arm had been ripped off.. (I am weak yes, I just wasn't physically prepared for such a sudden lurch and I tripped over my own feet). I was so embarrassed.. I had mud ALL over me - hindsight was probably a bit funny for everyone but I was so not laughing. We put the halti back on, but she just gave me hell the whole time. At half time, the trainer asked to do a bit of work with her on her own (I gladly accepted) but again she couldn't get her to focus on anything. She kindly told me to take her home and come back next week as she didn't think we would learn anything more today. Embarassed

It makes me embarressed because it looks like I never do any type of training with her as well.
I remember someone telling me in another post to cover her eyes and I tried this, but she just squirms and squirms to get out of my clutch.
She is pretty well socialised with family dogs - could it be that they are strange dogs in obedience that she just can't resist? I will try and take her to the local dog park (weather permitting) where she can meet some newbies. Her energy levels have picked up 150% since she stopped bleeding, so this could also be contributing towards todays behaviour.
Each week is getting worse.. I am going to go for the remainder of the session (2 more weeks) and then if it's no better, I am going to stop. It's just so horrible. After that I will just train myself.
I just feel like we are going absolutely nowhere with this. I really want to stick with this as I want to do agility with her, and I know I probably will stick with it, but you have days like this and you just want to throw it in the too hard basket Confused

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:43 am Post subject:

Oh man, I'm sorry that it was such a hard day. I haven't been able to take Scooter to training yet, but I have taken Sadie. We did have a few days where it seemed absolutely impossible. I always would take her for a 30-45 minute walk before training so she was worn out and ready to learn. That was the key for us.

However, I am surprised to hear about trainers "kicking out" clients. In the class that I took we had some really really really out of control dogs and our trainer just took it in stride and helped the owners specifically. She was pretty amazing though.

Does your trainer not require a specific type of collar for all the dogs to train on? We were all required to use a simple choke chain for the training process. I never liked the ideas of choke chains until she taught me how to use it and now I won't ever be without one.

Just take a deep breath. You and Ruby have been through a lot in the past few weeks. I know this is frustrating, but, the good side is she is feeling better from not bleeding! That's huge. Good luck and stick it out.

weim2mom · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:39 am Post subject:

ange165 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 2:13 am Post subject:

I was surprised as well when she asked me to leave, but I was actually grateful for it to be able to go home and change and have a good think about the way things are headed with obedience. I really would like to stick with it, I'm just not sure if I'm going to benefit from this with Ruby.

KarenTag · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:27 am Post subject:

I would suggest looking into a different trainer or place to take her. I always always always say that I think that it is more about how you get along and connect with the trainer more then anything else. If you don't feel a connection with the person and that person is not there working to make you feel comfortable and learn then definantly look into someone else.

ange165 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:47 am Post subject:

peppernaei · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:16 am Post subject:

That's terrible. I have never seen anyone kicked out of class and I have seen some pretty crazy dogs. That's the whole reason you are there. I would also suggest looking for another training facility. You can like the person but that doesn't mean they are the best for you. Would your breeder be able to suggest somewhere that is weim sensitive?

You have to remember that weims often get bored with repetitive training that some breeds will do all day. Also dogs all mature at different ages so perhaps Ruby (with all her added condition) just isn't there yet to be able to focus like some of the others. It doesn't mean she won't mature into the best dog if you continue to train with her.

Sorry you had a bad experience and best of luck in the future. Flower

versatilek9s · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:59 am Post subject:

Now you can proudly say, truthfully, that you have an obedience school dropout! Very Happy

I'd get a new trainer. Any trainer that can't get a dog under control--worse, would rather kick someone out then help them--isn't worth the time. I've found the best luck with finding someone that competes in obedience or schutzhund with their dogs, then getting a private lesson or two. They understand high drive in all of its forms, and know how to work with distractions and smart dogs.

meredith

AmyB · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:10 am Post subject:

I agree, I'd find a new trainer. Not even for sending you home because like you said maybe she sensed that you were frustrated and that you didn't feel comfortable. But I think she should have been able to control Ruby better. I have a great trainer who in a situation like your she will take the owners dog and just use them to demonstrate with. So she's working with the dog and you can get a break and see what you're doing wrong.

ZaneTheBrain · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry that happened, but that is pretty funny!!! Ruby's such a bad *bum*!

I had a cat that used to get kicked out of the vet's office...He actually had 3 different vets before I found one that used to have me slip him a sedative before I brought him in. It was embarrassing but funny!

I agree, you need a more patient instructor. She's a weimaraner puppy! I've posted on here how terrible the first several classes with Zane were- he was such a freak and such a distraction, but it just took consistently correcting his negative behavior and acknowledging him when he was calm, and he caught on.

Good luck!

Kiarazoom · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject:

Surprised the trainer sent you home...surely its better to stay and try to win out ?

Our little lad is very silly at training class because its all so exciting, I havent read the further posts as its way past bed time but have you tried arriving early and going for a little walk and trying to be at the venue in time to get some focus going before class starts? We have found things improve when we do this as if we arrive and launch straight into class we just cant gain his focus!

Best of luck.....you will get there in the end, the mere fact you posted here for advise shows your in for the long haul! Such fun arent they Laughing

Indian · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject:

Zane, My last wiem Misty would have all the dogs barking, all the cats cowering, and any other animal in the vets office on edge with in two minutes of our arrive, IF they didn't get us straight into a room!

That dog had hell in her! If they didn't have a room open when we got there, They used to make us stand outside....LMAO! And she loved going to the vets office! She was crazy.

shouseholder · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:44 am Post subject:

Maybe the trainer knew you were getting too frustrated. I think at a certain point it just becomes useless. I have gone home from our trainer's in tears before, so don't feel too bad.

Can you do training alone? My dog trainer offers this and then she will go with you to a park and work on ignoring other dogs after training them alone for a while.

Cathy · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:10 am Post subject:

I would definitely try getting Ruby worn out before class, and see if that helps. I know Marley was bouncing off the walls when she was in class, but thankfully the instructors had a good sense of humor about it and just said, 'well, she is a weimaraner'.

During my second set of classes the instructor suggested I use a prong collar and it helped a ton with the pulling.

Does Ruby respond to the treats? I always use something extra yummy and smelly for training.
The instructor should never ask you to leave - you are there because you need help, and they should be willing to help you even if it is after the normal class.

Does she get to sniff at the other dogs before or after class? I think that's a big part of the socialization. I hope things are better for you next time.

What is the facility like?

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject: