Hi

My 5 month old Westie Mitzi has been going to her training classes.  She has attended the puppy training course which she completed and now she on is on the bronze training course.

She loves going as she mixes with all the other dogs in her class.  The problem I have is when were at home and were pratising she is brillant but last nite in the class she wouldnt even sit to any of my commands, she was really playing up and was not interested at all to what I was doing with her.  But she managed to do the recall with no problem.

My trainer said I should change her treats that I have been using (this is the method we use to train)....she gave me some of hers and she was ok for a while...she was so disinterested in me..she was more interested in what was going on over the other room.  I feel really awful like Im doing something wrong, this has been only the last 2 weeks that she doesnt want to no. 

Any ideas??? I must admit maybe the treats werent entertaining enough and she was more interested in other things than me. 

Suzie

She could be coming into season. Quite a few dog, my Anna amongst them loose interest at up o a month before coming into season. Could there have been a bitch there who was in season? Bitches have a habit of appearing fine at home then when you get them in class you find their season has started. Twice it's happened to me and I know what I'm looking for!

Regards, John

I can empathise with that John!
Banya was terrible at training for about 3 weeks before her season, totally distracted!

Lindsay
X

You're not doing anything wrong.  Some dogs are distracted more easily than others.  Spock did absolutely brilliantly at home and was a nut in class...wanted to play and see what the others were doing instead of obeying any type of command.  You can try changing treats each class and you can also try practicing outside of your home.

Suzie at 5 months she is probably beginning to be a teenager, even if she hasnt come in to season. They all do it find their paws and get a bit bolshy, just like Kevin! Oh and they specilise in doing it when they can show you up most ;)

i had this problem, my dog just wouldnt listen to me, even if i had really tasty treats. Including really stinky cheese or sausage!  It might jus be a matter of changing the treats everytime you go and trying to find out what makes ur dog tick!  some react to toys more than treats for example.

It's also due to needing to very gradually introduce distractions whilst training - so it's best to start in the house (few distractions) and once the command is excellent there, progress to the garden, then to a quiet park etc. until the dog will work even if there are big distractions such as other dogs playing nearby...

My dog had the attention span of a gnat at classes for a while but it's natural and something that can be trained through :)

Lindsay
X

Hi to all of you that have replied

Thanks for the replys!!!! I was begining to think that it was me that was doing something bad.

It never crossed my mind about her coming into season...she has her op book on the 24th March.

Her next training class is on Tuesday nite so I will see how she goes with the new selection of treats and also I will try as you say with the training in the garden and Park as well.

Thanks again and I will let you no on Wed how she gets on Tues nite.

Suzie

Hi Suzie

I've left another post with the same problems!! Your not doing training in Erith by any chance! At least our dogs could embarrass us together!!!! :)

Hi Blondiflops

Yes Ive just left you a message as well and recommended you contact the Erith training club where I go.....how weired is that...

Yes I go Tuesday nights and Im doing the bronze course please dont say your in the same class as me..

How funny still cant believe that

Suzie

Hi, just reading your posts and I live near Erith (Sidcup in fact!).  Where abouts do you go in Erith? We've done the foundation puppy training class and am interested in taking it further.

Thanks, alison

Hi there

We live in Eltham and the club we use is in Erith log onto their web site www.nwkdtc.com and all the info is there.

We did the puppy foundation course and now were doing the bronze course.  The trainers are so helpful and friendly and Mitzi really loves going there. 

Hope the web site is useful...good luck

Suzie

anyone know of a good training class in South East Essex,,,,, thurrock, basildon etc?

Hi

Try the web site www.dogclub.co.uk there is a listing for all the dog clubs re: training etc.

Maybe this will help

Suzie

It might also help if she is a little bit on the hungry side before class starts. Its amazing how keen they can be then for a nice treat :D Good Luck
Anne