Hiya
I've been to dog classes tonight. My pup Dylan (who is 6 months old today :-)) was doing really well & I was feeling really proud of him. Its a big class of about 10 dogs with another class going on at the other side of the hall so you can imagine how noisy & busy it is. The thing is I spotted a young girl in our group who i havent seen before, we were doing stay, The dog ( I think it was a Staffy im not very good on breeds) looked really nervous & you could see it cower when it was told off. Then I saw her pick it up by the scruff of the neck to tell it off, poor thing. Our trainer didnt see any of this, but it looked awful. Should I have done anything? I wasnt certain if to just mention it at the end of the class. I'd be interested in your comments.

If it was me, I would have a word with the trainer next week, and ask if she/he will keep an eye on the girl.

I have seen an owner pick their Staffy up by the scruff of the neck and raise it off the floor at our handling class . A full grown dog as well.
I was horrified and didnt know what to say :( although others said "why not try this" as though trying to avert them away from this type of "handing")
By the way the dog is now undergoing aggressive behaviour . Is this related I wonder ?! :rolleyes:

I would mention it to the class leader at the end of the session and that way she can find out what s going on and give guidance if necessary. You'd also be reassured you'd done the right thing. Know what you mean though. Its horrible to see owners lose the plot with their dogs, and fear of being shown up can make some insecure people go radio rental in classes. I cant look and often feel comments will make things worse for the dog.

At a trainning class I went to when checking them out before I took Sal I saw a man (a big man) pick up a Lab puppy about 45 months old and shake him.
Before I could get out of the hall something else must of happened I don't know what but a woman was shouting "Don't let hime do that, he's just being annoying" (or something similar) and when I turned the woman in question was screaming in the Lab pups face, holding the poor pup up by his collar/neck up but the pup was so big she couldn't lift it so the poor pups back feet barely touched the floor.

As I was almost at the door, a man stopped me saying the trainner would be with me in a moment. And pointed to the woman who had just been screaming at the pup. I said to the man "There's no way I her train a stick insect of mine let alone my puppy."
I reported her to the KC as it was on their listings. And I know know it's closed, don't know why but pleased never the less.

So I would say have a word with the trainer, if you are not happy. I agree with not speaking to the owner though I think it would make them worse.

Karen

Oh well done for reporting this incident karen :)

There is no need for this kind of attitude towards dogs and pups

Dogs take ages to be confident in Stays too - ref. the first post - although some will stay because they are too terrified to move in case they getpunished. Do let us know what the trainer says, Daisychain.....

Lindsay

Thanx for all your replies, I'll see what happens next week & if it continues I'll speak to the trainer. The girl doing it couldnt have been over about 14, it was just the look on her face, she was so flustered & angry that the poor dog wasnt doing what it was supposed to. It kind of spoilt it for me because I had a really enjoyable evening last night, I felt so proud that all the hard work seemed to be paying off.

was she "disiplining "the dog or was it frastration ??? helps with the way you word or handle it ?? either way still not good but she is coming to the classes for help so try not to scare her off .( where were her parents ??)

14 is a hard age to be trainning a dog especially a Stafford they are so "nutty" at times, and they love you so much I find one of the hardest things with Sal even now is stay. She hates me leaving, she's to daft to realise that I'd never leave her ;)

But I've overcome it with persistence AND a small mirror so I can see if she moves or is about to, it works most of the time. Although she is too quick sometimes and is back like a shot.
It is annoyiong to be in a class with people doing better than you, maybe she'd more embaressed than anything.
Your idea of keeping an eye on her migh tbe the best.

Karen

When a dog cowers it is normally a very good indication that it is being bullied and is scared of its owner. Perhaps she cant cope with it. May be the trainer could apraoch her in a freindly manner and try and get around what the problems are. If the trainer goes in too heavy handed the girl wont come back and then the dog will suffer. May be you could try having a chat to her - try to see whats going on
Best of luck with it!

i agree about the cowering. At 14 this girl needs to be told this is not acceptable behaviour frankly. I agree she may just need help, or to understand there is no need to be embarrassed if her dog doesnt understand the exercise.....a good dog school or club will have the sort of happy atmosphere and understanding trainer who can foster fun in training for owners and dogs :)

But please dont wait til next week - I would def. speak to the trainer before the lesson and say that apart from other issues, it spoilt an otherwise happy class for you.

JMHO :)

Lindsay

I actually saw a gundog handler do this to a young springer spaniel during a gundog demonstration during a county show this year. The dog wouldn't stay as she was excited, she was only 13 months or so and this was her first time in a ring with loads of people around. He almost picked her up by her ears!! My mum and i were shocked but nobody seemed to notice. Theres also a man training a vizsla pup at training who uses similar bully boy tactics and unsurprisingly he isn't doing too well! I can't believe people still think this is the way to teach a dog how to behave!