Bad class experience :-( - Page 2 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

Minnie · 01-25-2012, 05:50 PM

Thank you all for the kind comments. I tend to be over protective of Bella as she is so tiny - a whole whopping 4 pounds... So I wondered if we should have stuck it out and used it as a learning opportunity.

We live in a rural area where trainers are far and few between. The inside facility is on the small side so this doesn't help matters.

The class only had 3 other dogs in the class - nice young beagle mix, doberman, and shepherd/hound mix. The owners of the shepherd/hound mix scared me the most as the owner seemed to almost encourage the behavior with rough play. I couldn't in all good conscious ask for the dog to be removed as the dog needs all the help it could possibly get :-(

I will continue to work with Bella at home to prepare her for classes this spring. Thanks you everyone!!!

CT Girl · 02-09-2012, 07:36 PM

I do not think you should have stuck it out. I had a similiar problem but not in class. A neighbor with a out of control Belgium Sheep Dog attended my puppy class. She had no control over her dog. In class the instructor kept her away from other dogs. It was before and after class I had to worry about. I don't pick up Swizzle with other dogs unless I consider it important for his safety; I usually block the other dog with my body. With this dog it was impossible. At almost 130 dog he almost knocked me down (a kind gentleman grabbed me to prevent me from falling) and I was forced several times to pick up Swizzle to protect him. Then the dog would jump on me trying to get to Swizzle - not in a mean way. The dog was friendly but out of control. The woman made little attempt to curb her dog. He was bigger than she was and she would just say "Down, down." while I was saying "Off, off." The instructor pulled her aside and warned her that the dog would become even more uncontrollable as it became older unless she gained control of the dog. If this situation occurred in class I would not have stayed in it. You need to be protective of Bella. A four pound dog can suffer serious consequences from unruly dogs. Socialize with nice dogs and try another class with better behaved dogs.

babysdaddy · Today, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnie

Tonight I look Bella to her next step course after Puppy Kindergarten and it was a disaster!!! There two very large out of control dogs and one snapped and lunged at Bella every time I put here down. The owners were not able to safely control the dog and I was anxious the entire time.

The trainer and I agreed that this was not the class for Bella. She will audit Puppy Kindergarten with her new siblings in a few weeks and in the spring will stat Beginner Agility which I imagine she will love :-)

It was a tough night.... Does anyone think I'm being too over protective in pulling her from class? One dog was a full size Doberman and the other a shepherd/hound mix.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Your story made me think of my 15lbs mini, Baby, and his first days in training. Keep in mind, he was young when I rescued him (12-18 months old +/-) and crazy. The only dog/breed that he loved were Dobermans. The bigger, the more he loved them........ Still loves them today.

His second day at obedience (he was in a beginner class with gladiator type dogs... big bull terriers, rotts, cane corso, etc....) and a large mastiff that was walking past Baby quickly got face to face with him. My little guy bit the Mastiff on the jowl and went after him to back him up. The owner of the Mastiff "sort of freaked out" and here I am the guy with the crazy out of control mini poodle

Oh those first 6-8 months with him....... lots and lots of work. I laugh now because he's advanced obedience, CGC, Therapy Dog, etc.... but had to share the flip side to your story. LOL, laughing as I type this because of the memories.