CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: debrand on July 09, 2009, 07:07:24 AM
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Trying to find puppy classes in my area that run over the summer. I had found fantastic classes with Jet and was hoping to take Finn to them but they don't start until September . Finn will be 4 months old by then. Only other classes are 40 mins drive away or with a behaviourist I have used before. Trouble is I really don't like him although he is certainly good at training dogs :-\ Not only is he heavily into teaching your dog he is bottom of the pack but he seems to need to make humans realise that they are below him ion the pack :-\ Always being sarcastic and putting people down. >:D Also he insists on doing a home visit before you can join his classes. Having had one years ago with him it consisted of him insulting myself, my husband and my home >:D >:D
Should I go ahead and grin and bear it or wait until September for the other classes to start? :-\
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oh gosh, he sounds pretty grim >:D I'm no expert, but I would wait till September if I were you. It's not that long away and meanwhile, I'm sure you will be able to work with Finn on the basics and socialising etc.
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I wouldn't go to him >:(. Do you have friends with steady dogs that you can meet up with until September for socialisation and perhaps do some training together?
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I wouldn't go to him >:(. Do you have friends with steady dogs that you can meet up with until September for socialisation and perhaps do some training together?
We have two dogs as well as Finn, my sister has two dogs, my mum has a little Cocker, as does my friend and another friend has a mad but bidable boxer pup so he gets to play with lots of other dogs (and gets told off by them :005:). We are working on the basics with him and he is a bright boy :luv:
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I would wait till September... I'd rather wait than go to someone who's methods I didn't like... (and who I didn't like) :shades:
Honey was 3 months when she started, and she was our first dog - there was one older pup and the others were younger, but it didn't really seem to make much difference...
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I would wait till September... I'd rather wait than go to someone who's methods I didn't like... (and who I didn't like) :shades:
Me too - I would definitely avoid this guy >:(
You can do lots of socialisation and basic training at home before you start classes ;)
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I wouldn't go to him >:(. Do you have friends with steady dogs that you can meet up with until September for socialisation and perhaps do some training together?
We have two dogs as well as Finn, my sister has two dogs, my mum has a little Cocker, as does my friend and another friend has a mad but bidable boxer pup so he gets to play with lots of other dogs (and gets told off by them :005:). We are working on the basics with him and he is a bright boy :luv:
Perhaps you could all get together and have a pretend puppy class :lol2:.
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I would wait till September... I'd rather wait than go to someone who's methods I didn't like... (and who I didn't like) :shades:
Me too - I would definitely avoid this guy >:(
You can do lots of socialisation and basic training at home before you start classes ;)
wot they said, definitely ;)
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I agree with the others - I would wait until Sept and join the class both you and your dog will enjoy and work on the basics training you learned with your previous dog during the summer.
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I would wait till September... I'd rather wait than go to someone who's methods I didn't like... (and who I didn't like) :shades:
Me too - I would definitely avoid this guy >:(
You can do lots of socialisation and basic training at home before you start classes ;)
wot they said, definitely ;)
Me too, I certainly would not go with that chap, specially as there are alternatives :shades:
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Same view here, don't go to him, wait until September. Meanwhile, meet up with the other dogs and have plenty of fun training/play sessions. :D
Why pay someone to insult you when you can get insulted for free?! :005: ;)
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Same view here, don't go to him, wait until September. Meanwhile, meet up with the other dogs and have plenty of fun training/play sessions. :D
Why pay someone to insult you when you can get insulted for free?! :005: ;)
:005: :005: i have to agree, youve got plenty of dogs and people for him to meet, and sept not that far off, do your own training with him until then
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It does seem a shame to me that I have no doubt many behaviourists have the best intentions to help both dogs and owners with problems, there do seem to be a few putting the reputations of many good ones in a bad light.
IMHO There is no need whatever to insult people, but because they have probably seen it on the sainted telly programmes these bods think it is ok to say whatever, and treat people however they want.
If someone came to me on my invite and started blasting off - think I would be inclined to show them the door, and get Smudgie to bite their bum on the way out :005:
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Run, run like the wind, in the opposite direction to him. I went to a puppy class where the woman was lovely to the dogs but HORRIBLE to the owners. I used to end up feeling close to tears at the end of every session!
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Thanks for all the advice. Contacted Sandra. Classes start 2 week Sept so we'll wait until then and keep working with him. It's not like he is a terror-but he will be by then probably :005: :luv:
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Thanks for all the advice. Contacted Sandra. Classes start 2 week Sept so we'll wait until then and keep working with him. It's not like he is a terror-but he will be by then probably :005: :luv:
Feel certain you will be glad you waited - hope it all goes well
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I wouldn't let anyone like that within a million miles of Bonnie Boo or me,what arrogance >:D. I am sure you will be able to socialise your poopy until september with mixing with people and other dogs. I found one of the things that helped me with Bonnie was to take her to the market and just stroll around with her meeting people and getting used to strange noises and smells .You know the sort of thing
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The time between now and September will give you lots of time to concentrate on lots of socialisation so it needn't be wasted!
The Importance Of Socialization
Socialization is most critical for young dogs from 4 weeks to 4 months. However, maintaining your dog’s socialization is a life-long process. Your dog needs to be exposed to all sorts of people, environments, and different looking dogs. Socialization is accomplished by gradually allowing your dog to investigate different looking people, children, environments, objects, and dogs. It is critical that the dog is exposed to new experiences on a voluntary basis and not forced to interact with beings or objects she/he is afraid of.
It is important for breeders to socialise the puppies in their care to everyday things. Not being able to take puppies off the premises in the first six weeks is limiting, but a puppy that has had regular experience of a television, vacuum cleaner, etc. will be more able to cope with the world than one that has been shut away in a quiet kennel or room. Sound CD’s can be made and played. Such techniques can be helpful if an older puppy is unwell or for some other reason cannot be taken outside the home.
Socialization is much more than just exposing your dog to your family and dogs and maybe a few kids in your neighborhood, this is a good start but not nearly enough for most dogs/puppies. Socialization is taking the dog/ puppy everywhere you go exposing the dog/puppy to hundreds of people young and old alike and all kinds of dogs. You want your dog/puppy to meet many unfamiliar adults, young old, in wheel chairs and using crutches. This socialization will need to continue throughout most of the dog’s life. An under-socialized dog is more likely to bite and or become stressed in unfamiliar environments and situations.
4 weeks - 16 weeks = Socialization
• During this period, puppies need opportunities to meet other dogs and people.
• By four to six weeks they’re most influenced by their littermates and are learning about being a dog.
• From four to 12 weeks they’re most influenced by their littermates and people. They’re also learning to play, including social skills, inhibited bite, social structure/ranking and physical coordination.
• By three to five weeks they’re becoming aware of their surroundings, companions (dogs and people) and relationships, including play.
• By five to seven weeks they’re developing curiosity and exploring new experiences. They need positive "people" experiences during this time.
• By seven to nine weeks they’re refining they’re physical skills/coordination (including housetraining) and full use of senses.
• By eight to ten weeks they experience real fear -- when puppies can be alarmed by normal objects and experiences and need positive training.
• By nine to 12 weeks they’re refining reactions, social skills (appropriate interactions) with littermates and are exploring the environment, spaces and objects. Beginning to focus on people. This is a good time to begin training.
Experiences for your pup 4 - 16 weeks
Experienced many daily different surfaces: wood, woodchips, carpet, tile, cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud, puddles, deep pea gravel, grates, uneven surfaces, on a table, on a chair, etc.
Played with many different objects: fuzzy toys, big & small balls, hard toys, funny sounding toys, wooden items, paper or cardboard items, milk jugs, metal items, car keys, etc.
Experienced many different locations: front yard (daily), other people’s homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement, elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian hospital (just to say hi & visit, lots of cookies, no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), etc.
Met and played with many new people: (outside of family): include children, adults (mostly men), elderly adults, people in wheelchairs, walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, sunglasses, etc….
Exposed to many different noises: garage door opening, doorbell, children playing, babies screaming, big trucks, Harley motorcycles, skateboards, washing machine, shopping carts rolling, power boat, clapping, loud singing, pan dropping, horses neighing, vacuums, lawnmowers, birthday party, etc.
(don’t allow to chase): skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, people running, cats running, scooters, vacuums, children running, children playing soccer, squirrels, cats, horses running, cows running, etc.
Experienced many different challenges: climb on, in, off and around a box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb over obstacles, play hide & seek, go in and out a doorway with a step up or down, exposed to an electric sliding door, umbrella, balloons, walk on a wobbly table (plank of wood with a small rock underneath), jump over a broom, climb over a log, bathtub (and bath) etc.
Handled by owner (& family) many times a week: hold under arm (like a rugby ball), hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between owner’s legs, hold head, look in ears, mouth, in-between toes, hold and take temperature (ask veterinarian), hold like a baby, trim toe nails, hold in lap, etc.
Eaten from many different shaped containers: wobbly bowl, metal, cardboard box, paper, coffee cup, china, pie plate, plastic, frying pan, Kong, Treat ball Buster cube, spoon fed, paper bag, etc.
Eaten in many different locations: back yard, front yard, crate, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bathroom, friend’s house, car, schoolyard, bathtub, etc.
Played with many different puppies: (or safe adult dogs) as much as possible.
Left alone: safely, away from family & other animals (5-45 minutes) many times a week.
Experienced a leash and collar: many different times in lots different locations.
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Hmmmmm....Chloe's nearly 15 months and hasn't experienced some of these things ph34r Blimey Mark, maybe we should go for a walk around York so she can broaden her horizons :005: Sorry for hijacking OP ;)
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Hmmmmm....Chloe's nearly 15 months and hasn't experienced some of these things ph34r Blimey Mark, maybe we should go for a walk around York so she can broaden her horizons :005: Sorry for hijacking OP ;)
I'm not sure mine have to be honest! :005:
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Thanks Mark. Wish I lived near enough to go to you! :D