I am Stumped

[Alimel]

Lola is in basic obedience classes at Petsmart. Tonight's class was about jumping on people when they approach your dog and how to properly introduce dogs to each other. I have been waiting for this class as Lola is a jumper, no one can walk up and pet her, she lunges and jumps when people approach her. She is 90 pounds.

The exercise was to use other people in the class that we have never met. The people are instructed to approach Lola with excitement. I am to hold her on a tight leash and turn her away from them when she jumps and only when she sits can she be petted. Lola sits pretty and lets each person approach and pet her. No jumping ..Huh

Next, she is very excitable with other dogs so this was going to be good..so I thought. One of the dogs in tonight's class was in our first class, a young energetic Golden, they of course go crazy and are allowed to play once they sit and stay. Ok, move on the next dog, Buddy's size (Buddy is MY Beagle), Lola sniffs her and lays down at her feet...double Huh

Why was my dog so well behaved in class when she is clearly not like this at home?

 

[CaliTerp07]

Because home is "her" space? I don't know, I'm just making a random guess. Regardless, class has taught you the tools to use at home to train there as well, where she IS super jumpy.

That's so frustrating though! It's like when I take my car to the mechanic, and all of a sudden the weird sound is no longer there.

 

[Doberluv]

That's pretty typical. She's a little out of her comfort zone (her own home) and a lot of dogs just "work" harder in a class situation compared to a more casual situation (at home). They can really feel the difference. "Okay, I'm in school, must do my job" (most dogs are programmed for working in some capacity)

I'm not so sure about the tight leash thing. You can also instruct people to turn their backs and ignore. OR.....walk gently but purposefully toward her...into her space until she gets down and then reinforce. But sometimes tightening a leash can cause the dog to associate the "target" with an uptight, tense feeling. Not so good. It's better to stay relaxed and calm but matter of fact in those kinds of situations. IMO. Anyhow....good that she's in class. Hope you learn a lot and have fun.

 

[AgilityPup]

Alimel, Bella did that her first week at training too. She was PERFECT, and I was expecting her to be so bad, then when I was feeling so proud of her, we go back to class, and "WAM!" She's a 'bad' dog.

It was cause it was a new place, and she didn't know she could get away with being bad...

 

[Alimel]

Grrrr, drives me crazy! Maybe she is starting to calm down a bit, she was very good on our walk this morning and looked at me for praise several times when she knew she was doing well. Tomorrow could be a different story.

 

[AgilityPup]

Maybe she is. You've only had her how long? Maybe she's not realizing that 'Hey, she's going to let me be a dog. I don't need to be crazy all the time incase they lock me up".

 

[Alimel]

We have had her since November 15, not long at all. She is starting to listen to me a little now

 

[AgilityPup]

That could be it. Bella was crazy in the house for the first YEAR! She's JUST NOW starting to calm down, she has, however, been listening to me since before I brought her home, however, she was a pain in the arse in the house for the first year or so, and still is now, sometimes.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I don't understand why someone would attempt to train this exercise by setting the dog up for failure, first with the tight leash, and then by beginning with the excited approach.

I would not attempt it in this manner! The dog is certain to fail!

Why not train the dog through positive inducive measures to sit and stay. Why not then have people begin to approach in a neutral manner, and reward the dog for success. And then why not build on the success with gradual increases in the excitement level of the greeting process, rewarding the dog for success along the way?

I really do not understand what the instructor is thinking in this situation. Not at all.

 

[AgilityPup]

Red, we did it at the place I worked with, but not with the excited. The place I trained with had hooks in the wall you put your dog on, and you walked to the next dog, and come up to them said "Hi, puppy!", and if they tried to jump up, turned around, if they sat, click treat... For us it was all about giving the choice... Bella, of course, was terrified that mommy was gone, and bothered that she was tied to the wall (we did more of that then we should of, I know we did - tying to the wall, that is)

 

[adojrts]

I don't understand why someone would attempt to train this exercise by setting the dog up for failure, first with the tight leash, and then by beginning with the excited approach.

I would not attempt it in this manner! The dog is certain to fail!

Why not train the dog through positive inducive measures to sit and stay. Why not then have people begin to approach in a neutral manner, and reward the dog for success. And then why not build on the success with gradual increases in the excitement level of the greeting process, rewarding the dog for success along the way?

I really do not understand what the instructor is thinking in this situation. Not at all.

:hail: That is what I am thinking too.

To the OP, keep in mind that your pup/dog could shift and change for each class (and during each class), unitl the behaviours START to become consistant. (meaning they will progress and regress between each class/week). That all depends on the dog, your experience and how much you invest in your homework.
Good luck.

 

[Alimel]

I am not at all thrilled with the training she is receiving now, however, I am learning from asking questions to others with experience and working with her at home quite a bit.

She is a work in progress, I have to remember to be patient and consistent, baby steps

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

One thing to keep in mind, Alimel, is that dogs need to succeed. Especially in the beginning of teaching a behavior to a dog, I try VERY hard to set the dog up for success.

later, once a dog has learned, you can let the dog know what you want (sit,wait..good!)

I would find this exercise very different if the dog was on a leash hook and not being held by you.

Wishing you all the luck with your second hand girl, it is not easy sometimes to train a big active strong really happy dog. HANG IN THERE!

 

[Doberluv]

I didn't want to "come down" on the Petsmart trainer (because they all vary) but was thinking the same thing....that this is not starting with baby steps. Starting out by making things difficult, adding to the nervousness is not apt to make the dog succeed. Maybe another trainer might be helpful? Well, whatever you do, I hope things will improve. Good luck.