A trick I learnt for when Louie was acting up, walk him out, hit yourself over the head with a newspaper ( ), throw a few treats at him, then walk back in, take a deep breath and try again.

Ask your trainer if you can swap dogs for a 15 minute period and work that way, because it's not your dog you act and behave differently, often nicer and then you carry that on with your own dog..

We did it once and I could see Louie was uncomfortable (he's trained on the right side instead of left) and the handler who had him wasn't used to this, he also wasn't used to how harsh the handlers voice was, whereas I can work both sides but I chose to have Louie on my right because of where we live (country road codes and everything) and my left wrist is a little weak due to a break and I keep my voice gentle unless it's a leave or a distant down.
Eva - the GR I had worked beautifully.. It is a very interesting exercise, you can shout and have a paddy as much as you want with your own dog but gaining the focus of a dog you don't own, don't really know then it's harder but you don't do it as you would with your own

Sorry if thats rambling a bit.. hope you get what I mean.

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I had a frustrating night 2 weeks ago. Infact the whole night is stressful. My lab is always sick in the car on the way there, we've tried feeding him earlier so his food can digest but he's still sick.
He hated the Halti and lay down refusing to walk. My trainer said keep walking and he'll get up, he only did after two comedy laps of me dragging him round the hall!
At home he is beginning to walk to heel, come to heel (recall) etc. My trainer looked at me and said " Have you been working with him?" because he was so bad. He jumps at everyone for a cuddle or fuss, he thinks everyone is his friend. No one else's dog does it. He barks and whines and begs for food from everyone AND then he either poos or is sick with excitement.
It's soul destroying because it really is like he's a changed dog!
Everyone thinks it's funny and he's cute but he's the class clown.

I'd agree with that. How many times have you had kids round and the parents have said how bad they are and then the kids have been perfectly well behaved

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Oh I do feel for you. Sometimes I think the other participants must think "look at that poor woman" or wonder if I ever train him at home - which I do!

I feel your pain

my MT was behaving like a dream last night until he decided to take a Cairn terrier on he's getting to be fiesty little sod when he wants to be

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I know what you mean. However, mine never starts it but can certainly give as good as he gets if provoked! He is feisty all right but I think he forgets how small he is compared to the other dogs. No good taking on an agressive GSD (muzzled thankfully) when you are about 18 inches tall.

i know what you mean...chesters going to get the shock of his life one of these days

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I feel the same way sometimes....well, quite often really.

But this week I was thinking about it...how many dogs do puppy class where we go training, both big and small dogs...LOADS...how many dogs start the beginner/bronze class after that....LOADS, but more big dogs...how many are still going a few weeks later....not so many...how many of the ones that were less than perfect are still going a month or so later...not very many at all....and actually, after having gone to classes for about 18 months, Ringo is the smallest dog, the only terrier in our class (out of not many overall), one of the only ones that's not like some freakish Stepford dog...and actually, I'm quite proud of us for sticking it out and not just thinking that actually, he comes back when called, he is housetrained, he can do a sit - that'll do.

We will get that KC Gold Award and when we do we'll be very proud of ourselves indeed.

Chin up - you may feel like you're the worst in the class, I know I do, but at least we go to the flipping classes!!! Think of all those that don't...and probably needed to...
Naomi x

PS: I know classes are not compulsory for well behaved dogs... and I don't want anyone to think that I think people who go to training classes are better than those who don't, that's not what I mean in the slightest.

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Duke was a nightmare when we went he was happy to do the sit, down but never stayed and certainly didn't enjoy walking.

He did it for the trainer sometimes but as soon as they opened the gate to go home I literally had my arm torn out of it's socket as Duke went whether I went or not...The worst thing is the trainer used to say your not doing it right...Really my arm hanging off what was the give away

Duke's great now except we usually have to pull him along...lazy bones and what a sniffer.

Clover's going to have to go too school but with working nights it's hard because my husband works set shifts and mine are all over the place.

Good for you Naomi for sticking it out.