In class withdrawal

[Ooky]

Odin and I have been going to class since 3 weeks after I got him. We've had 3: Puppy kindergarten, obedience II, and CGC prep. I take these classes at my local SPCA, because 1) I like funding them somehow since I did buy a dog, and 2) I really feel like I get a lot for my money there - for the simple stuff we've been doing it's been really good, I've liked and respected the trainers, and I've learned way more than he has since I've never had a dog of my own before.

 

We finished CGC prep last week and were supposed to start rally-o this week, but 2 hours before the class was to start, I got a call at work that it had been canceled, because I was the only person in all of Oakland to sign up. Economy, maybe? Anyway, I was surprised how disappointed I was. And Odin seemed confused and was whining -- which he doesn't normally do much -- that evening when we arrived at the place we had met our carpool buddies in the a.m. (where it means we go to class after work). But then after work we just got in my car and drove home instead of up the street to the SPCA. I guess he knows the routine!

 

I was planning to switch to "real" agility lessons with a club when he was old enough (he's def. too young for agility now) anyway, so I decided to look for classes with another organization in my area. I kept finding agility, which looked cool, but we can't do it. No rally-o or other puppy-safe lessons that weren't like, teach your problem dog how to sit, down, and stay in ONLY 1 hour!! He's not a problem dog, and he's beyond early beginner obedience. I'm not really interested in private lessons (until we start herding) either. What I really am hoping to get out of class is to continue to reinforce his good training, manners, and socialization, while myself learning more about training and handling him. And to have fun together.

 

So, I was hoping for suggestions on how should I be searching for private dog clubs that might have other obedience, "tricks", rally-o, or other type classes that a well-behaved puppy can take, i.e. disc dog, heavy jumping and stuff are out? (with rally-o, I was just going to ask to have the poles put on the ground for him in class, or we would skip jumps until he's older and focus on the other stuff) "dog trainers/training" is obviously not bringing up what I'm looking for. Does anyone know of good clubs that might offer any classes like above in the east or even south bay? Or knows a better way to generally suss out good local organizations in one's area that do this sort of thing? Or can think of other things I might look into with a dog this age? Tracking, even freestyle basics sound fun to me too! And herding, but isn't he too young (7 months) to seriously start that too?

 

I guess I should add DH has forbid the freestyle, but somehow that's making it more interesting not less...like he's the evil preacher from Footloose or something Thanks in advance.

[Root Beer]

One thing you might do is contact the places that offer Agility and ask if they have a pre-Agility or foundation program for dogs who are too young to start the main classes.

 

Personally I'd recommend Freestyle. Maybe you could sell it to your DH by telling him that Freestyle moves are fantastic fitness for an Agility dog!!

[Ms.DaisyDuke]

LOL. I thought you had a problem with him "shutting" down in class....silly me!

 

Anyway, when I was on a search for a training facility/trainers, I wanted a place that could help us out with our current reactive dog problems and then feed me into agility. So, after getting info from people here for advice on a good agility trainer in Calgary, I narrowed down my search. (I started by searching google, "dog training, calgary">> see all results). Since Oakland is about 1/3rd the size of Calgary, I'm not sure how useful that search will be, but I just kept digging and digging until I found a place that followed my beliefs in trainig, could help me with my current problems and would be able to see us trough any sports we decided on.

Good Luck!

[Ooky]

LOL. I thought you had a problem with him "shutting" down in class....silly me!

Haha, I guess I wasn't very clear! I just feel like the two of us are class-addicts.

 

Thanks for your advice, I am searching now. Oakland isn't all that big but I could go elsewhere, including close to my work in Los Gatos, so that gives me hope something's gotta be out there! Maybe just difficult to dig up.

 

Kristine, thanks for the suggestion about agility foundations classes maybe being available somewhere. And DH may have to lump it regarding freestyle, we shall see. I'm more interested in the moves themselves than a routine, we like tricks like roll-overs, peekaboo, back up, spin etc. It's fun to polish those up too.

[urge to herd]

Ooky, check out the Marin County Humane Society and San Francisco SPCA, I think they both offer classes and have a list of trainers who have been through their programs. They do train people, (people who want to be dog trainers professionally) from all over the Bay Area, so that will help broaden your search.

 

Have a good time! If you get up to Marin, let me know and maybe I could scoot down and meet you and Odin!

 

Ruth n the BC3

[2halves]

Oakland isn't all that big but I could go elsewhere, including close to my work in Los Gatos, so that gives me hope something's gotta be out there!

 

You commute from Oakland to Los Gatos?

 

This list is long, but there's lots of info about classes, drop-ins, seminars, etc.

 

http://www.wagntrain.com/Events.htm

[ziggzmom]

Odin and I have been going to class since 3 weeks after I got him. We've had 3: Puppy kindergarten, obedience II, and CGC prep. I take these classes at my local SPCA, because 1) I like funding them somehow since I did buy a dog, and 2) I really feel like I get a lot for my money there - for the simple stuff we've been doing it's been really good, I've liked and respected the trainers, and I've learned way more than he has since I've never had a dog of my own before.

 

We finished CGC prep last week and were supposed to start rally-o this week, but 2 hours before the class was to start, I got a call at work that it had been canceled, because I was the only person in all of Oakland to sign up. Economy, maybe? Anyway, I was surprised how disappointed I was. And Odin seemed confused and was whining -- which he doesn't normally do much -- that evening when we arrived at the place we had met our carpool buddies in the a.m. (where it means we go to class after work). But then after work we just got in my car and drove home instead of up the street to the SPCA. I guess he knows the routine!

 

I was planning to switch to "real" agility lessons with a club when he was old enough (he's def. too young for agility now) anyway, so I decided to look for classes with another organization in my area. I kept finding agility, which looked cool, but we can't do it. No rally-o or other puppy-safe lessons that weren't like, teach your problem dog how to sit, down, and stay in ONLY 1 hour!! He's not a problem dog, and he's beyond early beginner obedience. I'm not really interested in private lessons (until we start herding) either. What I really am hoping to get out of class is to continue to reinforce his good training, manners, and socialization, while myself learning more about training and handling him. And to have fun together.

 

So, I was hoping for suggestions on how should I be searching for private dog clubs that might have other obedience, "tricks", rally-o, or other type classes that a well-behaved puppy can take, i.e. disc dog, heavy jumping and stuff are out? (with rally-o, I was just going to ask to have the poles put on the ground for him in class, or we would skip jumps until he's older and focus on the other stuff) "dog trainers/training" is obviously not bringing up what I'm looking for. Does anyone know of good clubs that might offer any classes like above in the east or even south bay? Or knows a better way to generally suss out good local organizations in one's area that do this sort of thing? Or can think of other things I might look into with a dog this age? Tracking, even freestyle basics sound fun to me too! And herding, but isn't he too young (7 months) to seriously start that too?

 

I guess I should add DH has forbid the freestyle, but somehow that's making it more interesting not less...like he's the evil preacher from Footloose or something Thanks in advance.

 

 

Hi,

 

Here is a link to lots of dog training clubs in Northern Calif.

 

http://www.labrescue.org/Pages/ba_training_clubs.htm

 

Janet-No. CA

[Ooky]

Thanks again for the links! I had actually run into the wagntrain link but didn't scroll down far enough to get into the meat of it. So far, it seems there are some classes at various clubs that could be good fits starting at the end of this month or in Nov. Again, any east or south bay area people with specific club/class recommendations?

 

Ruth, Odin and I would love to meet you in Marin at some point! Unfortunately, I probably won't be training regularly up there (or on the peninsula) due to my onerous commute being in the other direction. Yes, my office is ridiculously far away - thank heavens for carpools! During my field season, I might go anywhere on a given day, but now, during document writing season, it can get wearing to be sure, driving the 880 back and forth. It helps to take Odin in with me, as it makes the work day and commute that much more enjoyable. We live up here for DH's job.

 

I am planning to head north for Odin's 1st adventures with sheep - we are going to try to go up to Arcata for that. And we head north for hiking or to see the inlaws frequently. Ruth, are you planning on attending any trials in your area this winter? If so, I'd love to meet for that! I've yet to see my first one.

[urge to herd]

I'd love to go to some more trials, but I can't definitely commit to anything right now. If I can go to anything, it will be to Auburn, sometime in November. That's about 3 hrs due east of me, but my BFF lives there, so it's very appealing.

 

Arcata is like, 250 miles from me in Sonoma County! That's even further from Oakland. Are you going to go to a clinic up there? And when? Where do you hike?

 

Anytime you're up in my neck of the woods, give me a holler, would love to meet you and Mr. Odin, if he can fit me into his busy schedule.

 

Ruth n the BC3

[sluj]

Besides Auburn, there's a trial in Elk Grove next weekend (24-26), Zamora next month (15th) and a CDT in Lodi (Dec 13-14). Hope to make it up to at least one of those (Zamora is absolutely gorgeous - I haven't been to Bill Berhow's place, but I have been to Bill Slaven's ranch just down the road, and highly recommend it).

 

Berkeley Humane offers Rally. Freestyle, CGC and a few others, nothing starting immediately though. I've only been to their basic obedience, so I couldn't really comment on the more advanced classes. I've also had a few lessons at PFE, with Tammy Quirin. Her classes are more or less drop-in, or at least, not everyone seems to start the sequence at the same time. There's enough personal attention that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I've also seen ads for pre-agility through Albany adult school, but don't recall when that starts...... the instructor is the same as for Berkeley Humane. I didn't feel that her training style worked for Allie (well, probably my application of her style), but it did for the other dogs/trainers in our class.

 

Hope to meet you (and Ruth again) sometime!