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| Obiedience Classes | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 2 2006, 11:46 AM (334 Views) | |
| Janet | Nov 2 2006, 11:46 AM Post #1 |
Total Gas Bag!
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Somebody suggested I should take Gem to obiedience classes as she is an intelligent little dog and she would enjoy it
:) Her recall is very good. She sits and gives paw for treats. I have trained her to sit and stay when I open the door which she does perfectly. she has began to pull on her lead a lot though when we go out as she gets so excited. I think I will be able to manage that one once her stitches are out and I can concentrate on training her. I have printed some training instructions about lead pulling off the net. Do you think training classes would benefit a dog like Gem? If so what sort of things would be taught that would benefit us both? Also how would I find one in my area and how much is the cost? |
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| PaulaK | Nov 2 2006, 11:52 AM Post #2 |
Moderator
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Sounds like Gem is quite obedient already but you may find classes beneficial with her socialisation. If you don't fancy it you could get a clicker training book as this will help you do things at home with her to keep you both amused. Most clubs like you to do their basic training class before you are able to move on to more advanced stuff but it may be worth having a chat with your local one to see if they will do an assessement to see if you can by pass the basic and move on to the next class. |
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| Janet | Nov 2 2006, 11:57 AM Post #3 |
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Total Gas Bag!
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I think I would enjoy training her myself
:) Is there a particular book that you recommend Paula? |
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| PaulaK | Nov 2 2006, 12:23 PM Post #4 |
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There isn't but have a look at this site. Training Lines |
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| ClaireS | Nov 2 2006, 12:43 PM Post #5 |
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I'm a big fan of the Training Lines website - I got some of the clicker cue cards from there and they are great fun. I've also got Clicker training for dogs its a great introduction to clicker training and very easy to read. I'm on the waiting list - still - for a 15 week obedience course at my local acricultural college, and that will cost £75. Its a very popular course that uses positive methods and clickers, hence the long waiting list!! I've also got this book for a bit of fun dog tricks - doesn't matter what you teach them, as long as you have fun trying :D |
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| zandd | Nov 2 2006, 12:53 PM Post #6 |
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Janet GOOD obedience classes are a lot of fun and as Paula said great for socialisation.Make sure it's a class where you are welcome to go along and visit - without Gem is best - to see what their methods are,watch how comfortable the other dog owners are with the trainers as much as the dogs - tense and nervous owners do not make for a relaxed class.Vet nurses/receptionists will know of classes and asking fellow walkers is a good way too.Costs here vary usually a yearly sub of about £10.00 then £2.00 a week. Calire that book looks excellent,will get a copy as already now the dark evenings are here and I can't let Daisy off lead she's not getting nearly as much exercise. |
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| MrE | Nov 2 2006, 01:38 PM Post #7 |
Chatterbox
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http://www.clickertrainusa.com/background.htm http://www.clickertrainusa.com/learningtheorymain.htm (read this and take it very serious, in a nutshell this is how anilams function and it can be used for good or bad) Be sure to introduce shedules of reinforcement most forget that vital part! http://www.clickerlessons.com/ http://www.clickertrainusa.com/clicker-training-videos.htm (very good) http://www.clickertrainusa.com/clicker-training-agility.htm Hope it helps :-) |
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| RJL | Nov 2 2006, 03:46 PM Post #8 |
Chatterbox
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Sounds a good idea! You coudl also buy The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, as that has a programme of exercises you can work through in the back, as well as being very common-sense based. It is worth visiting a few local classes without Gem at first and just asking if you can sit in on a class. The reason for leaving Gem at home is that if you bring her, the trainers will probably focus all their attention on her without really speaking to you! It also means you can watch the other dogs and people without worrying what she is up to! Also, you need to suss the place out dogless and watch how happy the people in the classes look; are there any bored-looking dogs; does the trainer look approachable; do they use choke-chains or hit / kick/ throw things at the dogs; where do people wait before the class starts (are they all crammed like sardines in a foyer, for example, which isn't really good)is the class working towards competitive obedience or KC Good Citizen etc, etc. Also look at how many dogs are in the class and whether everyone seems to understand what is going on and how disruptions are dealt with. You have to feel happy in the class environment - otherwise you will not enjoy it and Gem will pick up on this. I'm sure you will find a lovely class though - and have lots of fun :yay: |
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| MrE | Nov 2 2006, 05:08 PM Post #9 |
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RJL is spot on but also I think the other thing we should remember with classes is that they should not feel all easy and normal if they do your in the wrong class. Any person can train a dog one on one in a controlled comfortable environment such as your home, even more so with clicker training. But do you have a trained dog, errr nope and far from it. 99% of it in my experience will fail in the real world. The only way you get a well trained dog is to train it in the real world and classes offer that. What many perceive as problems in a class can often be training opportunities, the class is the next step form the house to get you to your goal which is the real world. In the real world, things whoooosh past fast, a sit or down can be needed fast in a busy shopping centre, your dog needs to stay calm on a crowded bus or train, loud kids, hands, prams, bikes, faces, hats, gloves, flashing lights, speeding cars etc etc etc. Now lets see how your 100% heal work looks, or your down, leave it, quiet or sit mmuwhahahahaaa. (Hands up whose failed! PS mines up) For me I think yes its important to have a class where the trainer can get the training across but also give me a crazy nutty class with one or two bad dogs a mass of people, lots of dogs and a trainer that feels comfy in that environment who trains with confidence any day of the week. I don’t want a class with quiet, easy going, not distracting, all orderly etc etc that’s called the last lesson :-) when they can do it all :-) I think training works like this, train at home (peaceful and easy) train in class (more distraction and more skills taught), train in the real world (more distraction and chaos). Bomb disposal dogs, don’t moan at their handlers that its too noisy in this airport, likewise blind dogs don’t run after traffic, army dogs don’t flee at the sounds of gun fire etc etc. I guess the point I’m trying to make is don’t believe training should be conducted in perfect conditions and see stressful situations as prime learning opportunities, how many members in a class gossip about other peoples dogs is unreal. Yet its those very dogs that enable a more realistic learning environment and gives you a chance to see how good the trainer really is. If I went to class where I did not feel like I had to be on my toes, and a touch nervous and even stressed I’d leave and Billy would be bored rofl :-) Hard poo first easy times later :-) Plus every lesson is not a lesson, it is only giving you your weeks homework! Plus my golden rule on trainers is, don’t pass human judgement on them let the dog be the judge. If the trainer can take your and other people’s dog and the dog does the task and enjoys it then that is all that counts. That’s when you know its time to shut up and listen. God I miss classes :-) I’m gutted the Silver isn’t running in my area – I could cry! |
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| piwoodhouse | Nov 7 2006, 01:09 PM Post #10 |
Total Gas Bag!
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I used www.puppyschool.co.uk and took Widget to a puppy socialisation class and then what they call an 'improver class'. Each course consisted of 6 hour long sessions (maximum of 5 dogs) and cost £90 each. The improver class was great fun - Widget got to practise weaving through poles, basic agility, finding hidden objects etc. Some dogs really shone at this and one owner decided to join a professional agility team. They run all kinds of 3 hour workshops and I occasionally get the odd e-mail letting me know some group (usually a TV company) is looking for canine volunteers - I think the last one was looking for candidates to be trained/filmed in the art of truffle hunting! |
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