Training Cooper: A fresh approach

 

A school social walk. 

Cooper is 2nd from the left and had a great time!

It has been quite a while since I last took a dog training class...

Last year, I started Cooper at the Real Life Training classes I used to take with Polly and Betty but I think it was much too soon for him after the stress of being rehomed. He was so overly stimulated by classes, I found it very almost impossible to achieve any focus from him. Also, lead pulling was extreme, to say the least, making it very difficult physically to work with him, as he is so strong. So, I took the decision to withdraw him from group work for a while and work with him quietly with Polly and Betty locally in more familiar environments, before contemplating any further classes.

Time is a great healer as they say and giving Cooper time, consistency and familiarity with me has worked wonders in helping him settle, so this year, I decided to try classes again. Rather than the real life training I did with the girls before, I opted to start with a small local class that trains outdoors on the same field each week as I thought that might be something he could cope with ... and I am delighted to say, Cooper has settled in beautifully and is doing really well! After just five classes, I have been able to ditch his Halti head-harness and can now train him on his 'Perfect fit' harness and off lead ... a big step forward for us! Already Cooper's focus is hugely improved and he is responding positively to my voice cues and direction. Coops is working hard and also proving himself to be great with the other dogs!

We are both enjoying our group work this time and it is a lovely way for us to share one-to-time, while Cooper learns new skills, including how to play safely with other dogs. 

I am very glad I took the plunge to start doggy school again!

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My advice to anyone with a dog that needs training is firstly, don't be afraid to try more than one class to find the perfect situation for your dog's needs, as not all instructors have the same approach and neither do all dogs. 

Secondly, trust your own instincts. You know your dog best. If he isn't coping happily with a particular class, you may benefit from trying a different one.

Thirdly, if your dog is finding class too much to cope confidently with, take a step back, reassess his needs and build your training programme gradually in an environment your dog feels safe and confident in... you can always build on a sound foundation and think about classes again in the future.

Finally, classes aren't for everyone! They are great for some dogs and for some owners but not necessarily essential to achieving a polite, happy, confident dog. You can achieve those goals for your dog yourself  if you educate yourself thoroughly in positive training methods and take the time to understand your dog's specific learning needs.