Thursday, 30 August 2012

Dog School: Lesson Three

Well, where do I start? This weeks lesson was,  probably the worst.

We started a short distance from the group, but again we were pushed further and further away by, yes, you guessed it, "Yellow Shirt" man...

My human couldn't hear ANY of the instructions. When I was calm we would work on what we already knew, like "sit" and "come" and "up", but we weren't able to learn anything new.

When ever I got stressed, my human would ask for help, and each time we would be told something different.

"Give him a treat if he looks at another dog without barking"...

"Give him a treat if he looks at another dog even if he is barking"...

"Give him a treat if he looks at you"...

My human was getting more and more confused , and more and more frustrated, and I think, by the end of the lesson she was just as stressed as me!

We tried talking to the trainer about our problems with the "Yellow Shirt" man, but she didn't seem to understand our frustration.

My human is feeling pretty down about the classes, I haven't got any more relaxed while there. She just doesn't think it is the right place to socialise me, maybe somewhere with fewer dogs would be better.

There is only one more class left, and we're both thinking, that maybe they've been as useful as they are going to be, and maybe we won't go.

But we might need to sleep on it, and see how we feel in the morning...

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37 comments:

  1. Blueberry's human30 August 2012 at 07:11

    It does sound like you need a different class. That's not good that the trainer isn't addressing your concerns very well. Maybe you can call around and find a trainer that is more experienced with the kinds of issues you need to work on. Keep us posted!

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  2. Bella Roxy & Macdui30 August 2012 at 07:31

    Sounds like you need to stop and join another class later. We agree with Blueberry. You need a trainer who will take control of the situation and make sure ALL the pups are comfortable.

    Of course, we're home schooled, so we don't know anything about it.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 14:58

      I'm glad you can all understand where I am coming from.

      Delete
  3. Frankie Furter and Ernie30 August 2012 at 07:38

    I would ASK fur My MONEY BACK... and then use it fur A DIFFERENT Class with a GOOD Teacher.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 15:00

      She was good at parts of what she did, just not managing my stress.

      Delete
  4. Maggie Mae and Max30 August 2012 at 09:06

    Yup, we agree wif every buddy, training should be fun and not stressful. :( Sorry you is goin' through dis.

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae and Max

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kismet30 August 2012 at 09:56

    I'd tell the trainer that I'm not coming back and I want my money back for at least the fourth lesson. If you don't get that, there are plenty of places to blast away at them on the internet-impact their business. Things can go wrong, it's what you do about them after you realize that they've gone wrong and the trainer was given a warning that it's wrong and you follow up, being a little firmer and the trainer knows exactly what's wrong. No action-fry them on the net.

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    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 15:12

      You know, I think I would do that if I was in control, but my human just isn't as assertive as us Scotties!

      Delete
  6. Ruby30 August 2012 at 10:16

    Oh, Dougall, that is indeed bad. I would have nipped him on the ankle! Yeah, you'll probally get kicked out, but, really, it just might be worth it!! hehehe Ok, ok, just kiddin' (sort of), yup, I agree with everyone else, that person just has no business in the dog trainin' profession. None. And, if the trainer saw nothin' wrong with his attitude, she has no business in it either. I hope you live in an area large enough where there are more options for you. Another doggie class hopefully. I would see if you could 'sit in' and watch before ploppin' down any cash. See how the trainers interact with the pups and the owners.
    I'm so sorry it's goin' so badly. Let us know if you have luck else where, or if these knuckleheads improve.

    Kisses,

    Ruby

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  7. allyk30 August 2012 at 11:19

    This reminds me of my Tyger's babyhood - everyone telling me something different to try to make him happy or how to take care of him. First of all, you should never have had to move away from the group because you were nervous. How are you supposed to get over that? By being near other doggies, that's how; and the darn teacher should've dealt with it instead of pushing you away. The teacher also should've dealt with that 'yellow shirt' guy too. Ugh. Just have your peep keep walking you and maybe she can take you the pet store once in a while to see other pooches and smell the smells. Oh, heck, I don't know. I don't like to see people or dogs have to deal with nonsense.
    Alyssa, Mr. Fox & Scruffy

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    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 18:02

      So good to hear from someone who has been in a similar situation. :)

      Delete
  8. Anonymous30 August 2012 at 15:02

    Gosh we are sorry to hear how poorly things went this week Dougall. Please give you mom a big love and lick...hoomans take these things so personally.

    xxx
    Wally & Sammy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Declan30 August 2012 at 17:05

    I tell ya mate, training sucks! The guy sounds like an idiot, I'd ask for my money back and not go back. You'd be better off finding some friends to go for a walk with. Deccy x

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  10. haopee30 August 2012 at 17:46

    Wow, you must be pretty tired with all those confusing orders. I would've loved helping you guys and we could learn together but since I'm not, let me share you a Youtube guy who I think can help your mom.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1551HBaNwwk&feature=relmfu

    I know he kind of looks scary but he's easy to understand and was very helpful to me when I first started.

    Huggies and Cheese,

    Haopee

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    Replies
    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 18:39

      Thanks for the link. This is really similar to what we were learning at dog school, (we didn't use a clicker, but a key word "nice" instead) which was all working really well (this is why we think the "usefulness of the class was over with).

      We were hoping to do more socialising, which just wasn't happening.

      Thanks for helping out, I really appreciate it!

      Waggles, Dougall

      Delete
  11. Unknown30 August 2012 at 17:47

    Oh Dougall Mr.Yellow Shirt is really not helping. Not sure what to suggest apart from I'll come over and bite his ankles. Have a great Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 18:41

      Haha! Thanks Molly, I might have done it if I had you for support!

      Delete
  12. Duke30 August 2012 at 19:04

    Maybe a smaller class would be more helpful, Dougall. I only have one other doggie in my class and I'm learning lots! I blogged about it today.

    Love ya lots,
    Molly

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    Replies
    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 19:07

      I just noticed your post, I'll check it out ASAP. :)

      Waggles, Dougall

      Delete
  13. Anonymous30 August 2012 at 20:41

    Oh Dougall, was he still wearing a yellow shirt? I guess not, but that man's nasty! :(
    You know, you no really needs a class and all, I learnt my tricks on my own!
    Woofs and good luck for the next lesson :)
    Cotton

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    Replies
    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 20:48

      Actually, he was wearing a yellow jacket, he must like yellow!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous30 August 2012 at 23:00

      OH DARN! He likes yellow?! That's my mom's favorite color! He totally copied her :)

      Delete
  14. Remington30 August 2012 at 23:08

    If you need someone to get your point across to Mr. Yellow Shirt let me know....I think I can do the job!

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    1. Dougall-the-Scottie30 August 2012 at 23:42

      Teehee... I think Mr Yellow Shirt would eat his lead if I showed up with you Remington!! BOL!!

      Delete
  15. Oskar31 August 2012 at 08:23

    It does sound like you might do better at a different school...

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ziggy Stardust31 August 2012 at 16:00

    Dougall, I am sorry that crazy yellow shirt guy was there again. I bet my Remington could take care of the problem. I wish you luck, but Dougall, you are so cool no matter if you go to school or not. I love you just the same my sweet pal.

    Loveys Sasha

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  17. Anonymous31 August 2012 at 17:07

    Hello, Dougall - this sounds terrible! My Mum says she hasn't been to a dog training class since she had her Afghan (whatever that is) back in the 1970s - but she says she remembers the classes were FUN! Mum thinks your Mum should definitely ask for at least a partial refund and look around for a smaller class with a better trainer. Mum says 'word-of-mouth' recommendations are often best.

    Good luck - and don't let it worry you any more!

    Big WOOFS from Solo :-)

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    1. Dougall-the-Scottie31 August 2012 at 17:17

      I thought they were going to be fun too... Sigh.

      Delete
  18. Ranger1 September 2012 at 08:00

    Last week when I went to doggie school, the teacher showed us how to do "Up" (just like you sit up). I tried and tried and was the only one in the class that couldn't do it. The teacher said that I have a round butt. Puppies with round butts have a hard time sitting up. Go figure.
    You have already mastered "Up" so you are way ahead of the game. Don't drop out of school. We all have bad teachers sometimes. Maybe you need to go to a new school.
    Hang in there. ~Ranger

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    Replies
    1. Dougall-the-Scottie1 September 2012 at 08:28

      My human says my bottom looks like a square, maybe that's why I can sit up?

      Delete

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