Crappy obedience trainer

LoveMyMylieLoveMyMylie
edited August 2008 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
I took Mylie to her first obedience class yesterday, we had a great time and Mylie did a fantastic job! The trainer on the other hand seemed completely disinterested in doing this, I kind of got this vibe right off the bat when it took her almost a week to return my initial call.

We did some on leash training, using food to keep her focussed on me, she did the occasional jump and spin move, landing in her butt so the trainer decided to eliminate the treat and see how Mylie did without it. She'd only look up at me when I called her name, but she stayed at my side with no pull, with is fairly normal for her. The only problem we had was when we would stop, Mylie would stop when I did just fine, but I'd have to tell her to "sit" 3 or 4 times before she'd do it. I'd say "sit" and Mylie would tilt her head and give me this look like "why mom? you don't have anything I want." Once I got her to sit, she wouldn't get back up! The little cutie would sit there as if she were waiting for something, so the trainer brought the treats back into the picture and Mylie did fantastic.

Next we worked on puppy bitting, Mylie's biggest issue. She LOVES to play fight with us and can get a bit rough when she's worked up. At home we've been yelping when she bites with pressure and distracting her with chew toys, we have pretty much successfully taught her that "no bite!" means what it means. The trainer decided to play a little rough with her. Mylie got worked up and starting getting mouthy, so the trainer introduced our technique of yelping and saying "no bite!" Mylie immediately stopped and started licking the trainers hand were she had bit.

Next we did some sit and wait techniques, involving food which we have also been doing at home, so Mylie did wonderfully.

For the last bit of training, because we were in a very large fenced area, the trainer wanted to see how Mylie reacted off leash, I have NEVER tried this before. Mylie listened to me 10 times better than she did the trainer, so I attempted this. I sat down next to Mylie and had her sit, and unhooked her leash. Mylie stared at her leash for a moment, looked around the yard, and still sat there next to me. The trainer had me stand up, and coax Mylie to follow me. Mylie still sat there, I think it was at this point she realized that she was free. After calling her a few times she came right to my side, and follow me around the yard as if she we on lead. We definitely had to reward her for this! So training was over, and Mylie and I ran around and played in the yard for a few moments before heading home.

All in all, the session went great. I was very happy with it until the trainer made the comment "Well she seems to be doing great, keep practicing at home and I don't think I'll need to see her again unless she starts acting out."

WHAT?!?! Was I wrong in thinking the idea of this was persistence? I do feel there is more Mylie can learn as well, sure she understands no, sit, wait, down, no bite, out, where's your ball... & my fiance has taught her "be a good puppy" lol, where she'll sit quietly... But we've been having trouble teaching rather silly things like roll over, speak, lay down and shake. I expressed my concerns and the trainer just suggested to "keep trying, it'll come."

I left kind of annoyed, so lost in my thoughts that I forgot to put Mylie's leash back on! We walked outside the gate, I opened the car door, reached down to pick her up & OMG, she's walking towards the end of the driveway! My first response is to call her, LUCKILY she excitedly came running, she likes rides in the car.

So I guess until I find a trainer who will work with us at least once a week, Mylie and I will be training in our back yard - MINUS THE OFF LEASH TRAINING!

Comments

  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    You might want to look into group training classes too. It's great dog interaction and gets Mylie out to see new people at least once a week.

    The one and done philosophy for training sessions is very odd.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    it is actually kind of surprising. Talk about poor business model. All training aside you would think she would want to at least schedule a follow up. Just from a business stand point.

    On the topic of Mylie, she sounds like she did AWESOME. You are doing a great job with her.
  • diggahdiggah
    edited November -1
    Great job on the off leash recall. I second Brandon's suggestion. Group classes are cheaper, and they provide a oppertunities to "proof" the dogs when they are distracted by other dogs and people. Folks who train exclusively at home run the risk of becoming "backyard champions".

    Also, I would take the trainer's attitude as a compliment. Most trainers worth their salt know that they're really training the handlers, so this guy must feel that you already know as much as he does.
  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1
    Group classes also help with introducing distractions, and getting Mylie focused on you with other dogs.
  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1
    and yes, that is very odd. We have a trainer and they come out consistently and THEN come back when there are problems.
  • kektikekti
    edited November -1
    hah I've taught roxy sit, down, bow, shake,speak, up and up up *when going up stairs or letting her on the couch* we can't get her to roll over though, I wish roxy knew no bite or wait or be a good puppy or no or was able to be off lead. oh she does know out though.
  • tobyshibatobyshiba
    edited November -1
    I also say group training classes are a plus. :) Toby was in one as a puppy, and it really helped his socialization. I'm planning on enrolling him in another group class eventually, I guess once i'm out of college. Although, I did the puppy kindergarten class at PetCo. I thought it was a decent class, I learned a lot. Toby still remembers the trainer, because when I went to visit the store a few weeks ago, he put his ears back, wagged his tail and went nuts when he saw her.

    I might do another one at petco, not just because its cheaper, but I trust the trainer, and she uses positive reinforcement. Toby could use another session with other dogs, as well.
  • KaddyKaddy
    edited November -1
    Maybe your petco is different, but I didn't like the greeting from the 'trainer' that works at ours. We took Keiko in to get a harness and we walked near the training area, at first I was put off because the area is all windows and it seemed like the dogs were more interested in what was going on outside the windows than inside, the second thing I noticed was that the areas divided out for training were teeeny tiny. 5 Dogs being trained in what I would consider the size of a childs bedroom. I didn't like the floor surface either... it was just hard tile. Maybe I'm spoiled, but when I was in high school training my parents dogs, our facility had rubberized floors (as does the place I'm going to now).

    Then there was the trainer... oy... She didn't greet me, didn't ask me if I was interested in training... just RAN up to Keiko, picked her up and in a booming voice (so as to draw attention to herself imo) said "I want THIS in my class!!!"

    .... You want 'this' in your class... 'this' ??? Ughh... I accepted her card and then we scurried to the checkout to purchase the harness.

    Luckily I had already researched the schools in my area and found a great trainer that I really enjoy! :o)
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    I have yet to go into any Petsmart or Petco that looked like another one. They all seem individually built. The trainers there are all hit or miss. You either get a really good one who knows what they're doing or someone who just does it for a paycheck. I cannot stand the Petsmart trainer where I used to volunteer at. The trainer would bring all the dogs to the rescue cats' window to "desensitize" the dogs and stress out all the cats in the process. I wanted to strangle her.
  • tobyshibatobyshiba
    edited August 2008
    Also consider that the Petco I took my dog to is only a year old, very new. The trainer seemed well experienced and knew a decent amount about Shibas. At first, I was leery because it was just an area on the floor, with a terrible 'dog training class area' fencing around it, it wasn't clipped or anything, so puppy Toby tried to nudge out a few times. I had to keep a close eye on him. Besides that, I thought he did great there. I remember seeing one of Toby's classmates at the dog park at the beginning of summer, and Toby had remembered him. :) It was actually kinda cute.

    I enrolled him at 10 weeks old and he learned Sit, Stay, Lay Down, Come, Recall, Leave it and Roll over.
    I also expanded and started teaching him another recall, which re enforces with treats, and he's been reacting well to it. Came every time I called. Though, I haven't tried at the dog park yet. :(

    I think what I liked most is that she welcomed us very nicely, and we had talked to her a few times on the phone. She still remembers Toby, so thats a plus! :)
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    Glad to hear she did so well! :D

    I agree with the others, obedience, of all things, requires consistency & a trainer who doesn't follow that, imho, is not a good dog trainer. Good to see you picked up on that too. :)~
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