Poodlenatic

I need some advice on something that happened at my last obedience training session.

Last week I had the first training session for 2012. The area I live in has very few good trainers. (I live in South Africa, Garden Route). From the few I found I chose one that was highly recommended by the other local trainers, to say the least, the two women was the only people doing clicker training in the area (and a focus on pre-agility obedience training). The other good trainer only does normal obedience training.

So this is what happened last week. While me and my husband was busy with our class with the one trainer, the other trainer was busy with a very aggressive problem puppy on another area of an open field. While she was busy, the dog got free and run straight for my husband dog, and attacked him!!!
Troy, our miniature poodle is a very sensitive soul and cried like a baby. The trainer did tell us to pick up our puppies, but the dog still kept jumping up and nipping Troy, until the one trainer got it under control. As you can understand my husband and I are very upset. Except for that incident, the training went well for me and my toy poodle, the trainer was very happy with his progress

So here's my problem: How do I handle the situation? Should I call and sort things out before the next class or should I wait till the next class and see if the problem dog is there again, speak to them about it and perhaps leave?? I do overall love the trainers and their technique, but is it worth something bad happening again, perhaps worse? Please help! Any opinions welcome!

fjm

I would call, be very reasonable and non-antagonistic, but make it clear that you want to be assured that there is no possibility of the problem pup being within sight or earshot before you return. I am sure they will have already taken steps to avoid a repetition, but if Troy can see or here the other dog, it may build up his anxiety. And be prepared for Troy to need to spend some time sitting close to you at class before he is confident enough to start work again.

__________________

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring- it was peace.

~ Milan Kundera

petitpie

Unbelievable for a trainer to let that happen! Not sure if I would go back there right away or at all, especially if Troy shows he is still upset about anything. In the least, that trainer should offer to help with any after effects of the incident, free of charge.

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Chagall's mom

Poodlenatic: As always, I find fjm's sage advice to be spot on. I say go with what she's told you. Just this morning I posted elsewhere that, IMO, the #1 job of of a poodle parent is to protect their pup!

A few years back I actually dropped out of and got a refund from a dog obedience class where are very large and unruly one year old Saint Bernard, with a very disinterested owner, was menacing the other dogs. The first time he set after Chagall, and Chagall ran and hid behind my legs, was the last time I stepped foot in the class. Unfortunately, despite talking with the owner of the training school, she was reluctant to more safely contain or boot out the unruly dog because she didn't want to lose a paying student. Poor decision on her part; she lost one anyway! My husband happens to be an attorney and, since she failed to provide a safe environment with the limited class-size that she advertised, she was compelled to refund my enrollment fee. I hope things go more smoothy for you, and I'm sure they will! Good luck!

Rowan

I'm the wrong person to ask as I'd be in rage mode. Under control means immediately "throttling the assailant" in my world.

For those reasons, I'll defer to the calm, cool and collected Chagall's Mom and FJM. Great advice, as always.

Poodlenatic

Hi Rowan. I agree with your definition of under control. I once tackled a German Shepard to the ground (sand) on the beach when he came to smell my toy poodle who got frightened and the gshephard chased him! At least you could see that dog was not aggressive. After I let him go, he ran straight back to his owners...

Thanx for all the advise!

__________________

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole"

Poodlenatic

Oh Chagall's mom, love your silver mini and the timeline!! Really cute. Do you have a album where I can see bigger pictures? It's amazing how they change color!! My husband originally wanted a silver. Troy is much lighter than Cassi, almost more brown when in the sun. The breeder said he might be blue, time will tell.

__________________

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole"

Chagall's mom

Thanks for the compliment on Chagall's color! The credit for his good looks, coloring and temperament go to his outstanding breeder, Cabryn Poodles ( Hackettstown, New Jersey, USA). I'll PM you my flickr photostream link. I personally think silvers are worth their weight in gold!! It's going to be fun for you to watch how Troy's color clears, I think it takes about 19-24 months, depending on the line. Chagall turned the platinum silver color he now is at @19 months, I think. I often wish I had a time lapse camera on him the whole time so I could really watch the transformation!

afkar

I have two silver standards as well as a chocolate. Mine are nearly two & a year old & haven't totally silvered out as yet.
I agree that I would ask for clarification by phone that the trainer is aware of your concern with the other pup..In the meantime I would take Chagall out & around where he can see other dogs safely &, if he shows any anxiety, I would click & reward him for ignoring the other dogs & for calm sitting or attention for you or whatever you feel is appropriate. I only positive train with my three & have found it works very well to get focus & willingness etc.
Good luck with your next training sessions

Chagall's mom

I agree with you about using positive training, that's all Chagall has ever known. He is as confident and dog-friendly a miniature poodle as you could hope to have!The little incident he experienced with an out of control dog in an obedience class happened when he was a puppy several years ago. Troy is the young minipoo who was recently frightened by an aggressive dog in his training class. (An incident that's unfortunately all too common it seems!)