Well Benji and I had our first morning of training today...

What an experience!

Clearly I should have started proper lessons sooner, but better late than never.

He now has a halter lead...goes over his nose and head which he hates right now because it means he cannot do what he wants...i.e. pull me everywhere.

Lots of things learned and right now he is tired out and fast asleep.

Definitely have got to make it clearer to him that I am the leader of the pack, not him, so here goes a new chapter in my dog experience!

At the moment he doesnt seem to want to talk to me, he has been made to do a lot of new things today that are perhaps going to show him that he has to be slightly submissive to me, in a nice way of course.

So, anyway, another hour booked in for tomorrow and also Friday, so we shall see how we progress!

Just thought I would let you all know.

I'll be honest with you i have a few alarm bells ringing. I don't like halter leads on beagles because of their propensity for disc injuries particularly their necks! I find the 'leader of the pack' phrase more than a little disconcerting.

__________________

great that you have started training lessons but erm.....i dont really know what to say to the rest
what do you mean he will hopefully learn to be submissive to you? i personally think training is a lot more fun when your dog trusts and respects you and enjoys doing what you ask, not when they are doing something because they are afraid and having to 'submit'
did you spend any time getting the little fella used to the head collar before you put it on him??
not meaning to cause offense so i apologise if i have just sounds a bit 'he will do as i say wether he likes it or not' but as i said sorry if ive got it all wrong (i do that regularly lol)

__________________

Does the class use positive reinforcement techniques? Language like 'leader of the pack' and him needing to be 'submissive' to you doesn't sit well with me I must admit.

__________________

Can I ask what sort of things?

It's great you're training him but I have to admit, alarm bells are ringing here too with the talk of pack leader and him having to be submissive to you.

I'm glad it went well; however, I don't agree with the pack leader business. You are not a dog therefore in the eyes of a dog you will never be "pack leader". You are a partnership in my opinion.

Doh, its so funny how posts/any type of typed message can be misconstrued.
hand:eek:
No, everything we did today was very positive.

I would never want my dog to be scared of me in any way shape or form, he is a friend not anything else.

The leader of the pack really only refers in this case to him not being too dominant in the house, especially as I have small children, you know, like getting him not to jump up or making sure that he follows me out of the house rather than him dragging me out...

Hopefully that makes more sense.

In fact, the trainer this morning actively discouraged any form of "punishment" style training but focused on reward based training.

However, just like children, dogs too need some sort of parameters to work within dont you agree?

Hopefully that has clarified it, she was not a bully, neither am I, never have been, never will be!

He only had the halter type lead on for a few moments for demonstration purposes, i would ensure he has the chance to get used to anything new...

Imust admit I felt abit uncomfortable reading your thread with the words,submissive and pack leader in them,and also you mentioned that he doesn't want to talk to you,you will have to be careful that you are not going to ruin any bond you have formed based on trust as you will be sending mixed messages to him.Has the trainer had a beagle in their class before?as it surprises me they mentioned a halti! I went to one class with Alf and never went back as they used water and choke chains and it wasn't the direction in training I wanted to take.
If you are going to try and make your beagle submissive I hope you are ready for a battle of wills,-I can't add anymore really

__________________

"The leader of the pack really only refers in this case to him not being too dominant in the house, especially as I have small children, you know, like getting him not to jump up or making sure that he follows me out of the house rather than him dragging me out..."

I'm still confused why you are using these words such as "leader of the pack", "dominant", "submissive"? He is not being dominant more he is excited? Like I said before I'm glad the training went well, and it is helping you, but please do not think of him as dominant.

Again, (and of course without any offence),

Please read my second post. Maybe my choice of terminology isn't ideal.

He isnt/hasn't/won't be treated harshly, just educated to behave nicely...

All treat/reward based training, not harsh/nasty tactics.