Two small breed pups both went to there respective training classes for the first time last night. And I don't think it could have been more different.

Pup 1 went to ringcraft where there was about 18 -20 dogs present of various breeds in all sizes and he enjoyed meeting everyone of them even had a word or two to say to Dogue De Bordeaux puppy.  The trainer is very much respected with many years experience in both judging, exhibiting and training and is well able to guide and advise on how to present and handle your dog for showing. Cost for the 2 hour class was £1 annual membership and £1.50 for the class. In the class there is a table for small dogs to learn there table work and mats for the dogs to walk on.

Pup 2 on the other hand went to dog training. Trainers spent the first 15 -20 minutes introducing themselves to the class of 2 dogs. There were no mats available for use and one trainer spent quite a bit of time with Pup in her arms cuddling him and stroking his tummy. The other trainer seemed to prefer working with the other dog and gave very little attention to Pup other than to show his Mum to teach him to walk to heel using bait, which with a small dog got the expected reaction, the dog continually jumps to get the food, and he's to learn the sit command for next week. Cost for this is £75 for a 10 week course that lasts 1 hour per week. Pups Mum couldn't tell me the names of the trainers, as in there introductory talk they forgot to mention them, but they didn't forget to tell how well there own dogs had done in the ring. Oh and they might see about getting mats. And this class was booked as ten weeks of ringcraft training where she was told on booking that there were already 6 dogs booked and I assumed paid for as she had to pay in advance.

Makes you appreciate being in an area where you have a choice of training classes.

I'd have thought the sit command was the last thing you'd be wanting to teach a pup at ringcraft, a stand command is the thing you need, surely? Perhaps I'm behind the times but a gentle introduction to standing (on the table if relevant) and being gone over, introduction to show lead, walking and turning, free standing or stacking are the things?

I've never heard of teaching the sit at ringcraft. Are they perhaps combining basic obedience and ringcraft?

Over £10 a class?! Who are these people?

The first class sounds just like I would expect a ringcraft to be but the second sounds like puppy training and not ringcraft in any way?  I think £75 is the going rate nowadays for puppy classes but I would want to feel I was achieving something for that - which doesn't sound like it to me at all!

I would be requesting my money back as this clearly isn't ringcraft by teaching heel in that way and also teaching a sit?  Very odd?

One of the vets not far from me do a puppy class they are APDT trained and they do not charge anywhere near £75. Its £150 a night for the young pups, as they get older they progress to an older class, never been to the older class so cant comment on it, but the puppy one is excellent.

Meat to say £1.50 a night missed out the full stop LOL !!!

The second one to me sounds more obedience than ringcraft!  Not mypetstop is it as that's in their price range for obedience not ringcraft.  Used to pay £2.50 for ringcraft there but I believe it's just gone up to £4.00 and seems that most of us won't be going there again sadly.

I meant to say £7.50 a class- senior moment- still a lot though. I guess one is glad to pay if the people know what they are doing, but this does sound odd for ringcraft.

Spoke to the pups Mum and she has said that if certain dogs come to the class it will be obedience only they will be doing.  After a long chat she decided that some training is better than none for a young dog and she will ask that teaching a stand stay is added for his benefit.  He will be coming to stay with me for a few weeks so if he needs any ringcraft training we'll do it then.

My heart fell to my feet when she mentioned that the trainer wasn't quite sure if toydogs walked on the left, the right or if they criss crossed in front of the handler and did twirly things. LOL  This trainer by the way does show dogs, they have also told the puppy owners that they are not insured, if any of the dogs have a go or anyone gets hurt, only the trainers are covered by the insurance.  Wanted to go and watch the class, but it is a 200 mile round trip plus one of my friends said it wasn't a good idea because I probably couldn't keep my mouth shut!!!!! (moi never) and that it wasn't fair to go and make the trainer feel uncomfortable being watched.  I never had a problem having owners or other trainers coming to watch my classes.

Joan.  Pity the class was so far away, I would have come with you and that would be two of us who could not keep their mouths shut LOL.