Attended class last night - we have been going for months now and I can see an improvement. Monty now walks much better on the lead and nearly always does his "sit" and "down" very well. However last night he was totally distracted and would not sit or seem to take much notice of me at all. Was much more interested in the other dogs. Well, not so surprising I suppose - there were several new ones there - all very exciting to a 9 month old MT.

But - and this is the frustrating bit - he would not sit for me but when another handler told him to he did! As soon as we got to the bit where we stroke and feed each other's dogs he was as good as gold - FOR SOMEONE ELSE!!!!

I could have screamed!!!!!!! Why was he like this?

From failed dog handler!

We all have nights like that. Rupert used to show off while I was handling him but give him to someone else to handle and he was as good as gold. I think it was the fact they were an unknown quantity, he knew how I'd react and what he could get away with but didn't know how they'd react so was on his best behaviour.

Bless you - I've had hundreds of frustrating nights at dog training classes.

Sorry to be blunt but you've got to be more interesting to your dog than anyone (dog or human) or anything else.

When we're 'proofing' young dogs before they enter their first competitive obedience competition, we do things like ask fellow club members to run about with their dogs, squeak toys, throw tit-bits about and generally be as distracting as possible. The young dog being trained needs to concentrate 100% on their handler because if they're not capable of working (or haven't been sufficiently proofed) against distractions they're sure ain't ready to compete.

I hasten to add no leads, shouting, or reprimanding is involved during this type of training and I'm not suggesting you take it to quite this level, but you could try some of it to a lesser degree.

HTH

Thank you, I will try a squeaky toy as long as it does not upset the other dogs - they might all find me interesting! Worth a go though. I do use slices of cooked sausage which Monty loves and the other dogs seemed fixated on me - due to the smell of sausage I hope! Might try bits of chicken next week (smoked salmon the week after - )

Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better. I do actually practise with him every day but you would not think so to see us last night. Still I will not give up whatever happens.

Hows the tome of your voice when giving out commands? Are you droning or are you exciting..

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coos he's a dog

Well, I was told once that my voice was not firm enough so have been working on that. It might have been a bit strangled though - through gritted teeth by the end of the lesson! Must try harder - me I mean not Monty!

Yes, he looked at me a few times as if to say "Who are you and what do you want?"

We have had times like that at classes when we think to ourselves "pretty sure he would do that last week, yesterday etc etc.

We all have off days, dogs are no exception. Besides I want a dog, friend & companion. If I wanted a robot, I would have got one.

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