obedience class

tltrooster · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:47 am Post subject: obedience class

I am aksing for suggestions. Champ is 18 months old, been neutered,
been through beginner, intermediate and now advanced class all at
Petsmart with the same instructor. My question is that this last class,
lately Champ doesnt want to get along with any of the dogs in the class.

There are three other dogs in the class, a male rotweiller unfixed,
a female german shepard fixed, and another female border collie
fixed. He tolerates them, but when we have to walk side by side,
that is a mess. This is one of the tests we will have to do if we
want our CGC and I am concerned. When we are in class, he
gets agressive, and barks and lunges, I can control him, but I dont
want him to act like that all the time.

What is weird is that my son and parents both have cocker spaniels
Max is 7 yrs old male neutered, and Luke is male 2 mths old unneutered.
and Champ plays and plays with them with no aggression what soever.

When we go to the park and walk, he seems to do fine, I can put him in
a heel and we can go, most of the time the other people with their
dogs walk away from Champ. (we have a gentle leader on him and they
always think its a muzzle!!)

Any suggestions, comments??

PamK · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:17 am Post subject:

Are you planing on getting the CGC at Petsmart or someplace else? Will those other dogs be there? Do you take him to Petsmart at times other than class? How does he react then?

We got our CGC at a dog show. I wasn't planing on doing it then but they had a ton of available spaces and it was only $10. We went over to watch and they convinced me to just go ahead and do it. I was nervous but we did fine. I was really scared when they used a grooming brush because we had never used one before.

Don't forget their goal is to help you pass.

krisnkaipo · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

My old boy had a similar incident. He had been through multiple obediance classes and had actually achieved his CGC. I had always kept him in whatever local class there was, just for socializing. About 3 weeks into a local park class hedecided he HATED one of the other dogs! He started to roar and lunge at it when we did the close walking. This was when he was about 5 years. He had spent the past 3 weeks demonstrating what a great dog he was, how he could do down stays, sits, heels, whatever....then the lunging just started. Unfortunately, everyone freaked out and asked me not to come back. So, rather than working to help me correct the behaviour he was viewed as "aggressive". We finally found a talented trainer who was willing to set him up and show him his behaviour was unacceptable. Worked great and was a huge weight off my mind.

Basically, the moral to my story is if this Petsmart trainer is not able to help you work through his sudden aggression quickly find one who is. It is so worth the peace of mind to know you have a trustworthy dog!

I must point out that I do not take anyone's word for anything. I kept looking til I found a trainer that worked for me and my dog's personality. That same trainer's style when I attempted to use him for my current rescued weim was all wrong!

tltrooster · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

We wont be getting it at Petsmart. and I do take him up there when we
are not at class, and he seems to do okay. Now that I think about it
it may just be the classroom. Not sure though.
We went and watched another person get theirs this weekend, and Champ did pretty good but was still a bit agitated with the other dogs.

We have been working at class on some of the test questions, and he
does fine on everything but the walking side by side with another dog.

PamK · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

If you can find another trainer that might help. You can ask your vet for suggestions. I didn't use the trainer my vet recommended, but they should have better contacts in the community.

versatilek9s · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: obedience class

tltrooster · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:56 am Post subject:

The lady that we will be testing with has a small (looks like a small
collie, of some sort). We will be outside, and we have to walk together
across the parking lot, and over by the playground. I dont think there
will be much of a problem there, last weekend we watched and followed
behind, and Champ didnt have a problem at all.

We only have after Wednesday one more class and we will be through.
Then it is up to the owner if they want to schedule to have their dog
tested for CGC.

I do have the upper hand when it comes to Champ and he knows that
I will not tolerate his outbursts. but he also knows that if he behaves
he gets lots and lots of praise, We have pretty much taken the treats
out of the picture.

So Champ, I am assuming is going through a weird stage? I guess
like kids go through??

versatilek9s · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

Yeh, they go through the terrible twos into adolescence. Depends on the dog (and owner!) as to how bad it is.

http://www.weimclubamerica.org/yourweim/development1.html

Is a good link...but it just brushes the surface. From about 6mos to 2 years or so they are on their worst behavior, testing you, seeing what they can get away with, and sometimes being downright snotty and aggressive.

It really sounds like you're doing a great job, though! Very Happy

meredith