Ruby's first class update

[jesuschick]

Well, we are home from her first class. Washed her feet and she is passed out!

6 people and dogs in the class. Ruby, a Havanese mix, a Staffie, a European something (looked like a brindle German Shepherd to me but this is all I could remember about what she called her), a Husky...and a 1 year old Bull Mastiff. I cracked up since I joked about a Mastiff being there.

I do not know yet what I think. At first I was worried because everyone is way bigger than her and then I rethought and decided that may be good since she only hangs out with dog her size.

The main owner just did not click with me somehow. I do not know how to describe it. He was a nice enough man and seemed to know his business but I would not leave my dogs with him if that makes any sense. They seemed really unaware/unprepared/not super interested in smaller dogs. The next class that came in after us was Standard Poodles, Labs and a Border Collie.

So, I will finish this class and likely look for the next elsewhere. I think I will take Tracy's advice and sort o just drop in a few places while I know they are conducting class.

The husky's owner was a foster and they adopted the last two dogs they fostered. She leaned over and asked what my treats were. I told her (my new TerraPaws freeze dried chicken and sweet potato) and I explained that I fed air dried raw. She got excited and said that she fed raw. She feeds Prey Model Raw.

Do not know if it is the norm with training places but they did not seem aware of other food and treat choices and all the verbal examples were kibble this and kibble that.

Anyway, it is worth the money for the indoor, winter heated socialization with some nice people and their big, LEASHED dogs!!

[Sarah]

Sounds like it was a good start for you to compare other places too.

I took daisy training, never bothered with the others I prob should have cozdaisy is fab but they also thought kibble was the way to go even gave us a bag to take home I gave it back lol

[Kristi]

Karen I've run into that a lot - little dogs get ignored when there are big dogs or the little dog has to adapt to existing around the big dogs. There isn't a lot of focus on teaching big dogs how to behave around little dogs ever and I wish there was.

[mchis]

Sounds like it went fairly well. That's the trouble around here though...everyone has big dogs. I'm glad your class is LEASHED. That was our mistake when doing puppy kindergarten. They had free play time which pretty much distroyed a few of my puppies confidence around other dogs. So we stopped after Maxie because it obviously wasn't working.

It's good you're going to stick it out for this session. I think it will be great for her.

[brodysmom]

Karen, I think a LOT of people have stereotypes about our chi's unfortunately. I have seen people roll their eyes when a chi walked in. Perhaps Ruby will change this trainers mind though. Hang in there and get out of it all you can. If you look for another class, visit first and get a feel. I wonder if there are any trainers/classes that do a SMALL dog class? Wouldn't that be great?

[jesuschick]

Thanks!

I have been searching this afternoon for small dog training. Could not find any yet. I really think that it may be good that she is with the big dogs. She has an attitude.

They asked me to keep her on the ground while I was seated (we all were still holding leashes) rather than hold her.

At one point Ruby was being aggressive with the Staffie next to us (who has a mellow, very experienced owner so she was assuring me that it was fine) yet down the row the Mastiff had climbed up sitting in (crushing...haha!) her owner's lap. We all chuckled that they each thought that they were the other.

I am also judging early. This was the fist class. There are 5 more. I'll be eager to see what I think then.

[cherper]

So glad it went well! I'm sure sweet little Ruby will be a good spokesmodel for how wonderful small dogs are!!
Hope you enjoy the classes more as time goes on.
I don't know if I could do it, i'd be so paranoid about a dog snapping at mine or going after them that i'd probably send bad vibes to my dog. lol I may have to at some point though if finn can't get friendlier with what i'm doing myself.

[jesuschick]

Cheryl-I am MORE worried about how SHE acts there! The big dogs were all polite with her and then she bows all up and barks in their face! Then when they take a step toward her, she completely backs up. Still barks while she is stepping back, though.
They are all leashed, thank goodness. I really want to get a picture of her with the Bull Mastiff. If she can behave herself by the end of the 6 weeks I will!