Kathy -

Is this class purely for activity or is this a class to teach your dog commands? In other words, does he already know the basic commands and has been through basic obedience training?

Or is this a class just to proof out the distraction stage? Has he been through the correction stage yet? At 8 months my pups are just really starting into the correction stage and I do not introduce the level of distractions that a class would have until 9-10 months usually, after progression from smaller distractions.

I would also not recommend correcting him. Put the prong on him but clip the lead to the flat collar - do you have a short tab/traffic lead you can put on the prong? I suggest both in case you do need to get control of him or for regular corrections if needed for disobeying commands when not at the super stressed point.

I personally would not take him back to the class, or at least would do as suggested and stay at a good distance away - wherever his comfort zone is that he is comfortable but sort of distracted(but not stressed yet) and work him closer and closer from there. Don't take him to the point where he tucks his tail under, folds his ears back constantly, or his lips are pulled back. Find the median before that 2nd level of stress, after happy go lucky but before stress. Look for his tail to be down but not tucked, that is the first sign of discomfort/uncertainty in most dogs. Watch his ears and how well he redirects to you and whether or not he will still take treats. If he will still take treats, use them, and move him closer. In this way YOU are the distraction from the other dogs and people, they are not the distraction from you.

Regarding treats, dogs that are stressed most often refuse treats and toy rewards, they are not at all concerned with toys or treats they are concerned with getting out of danger. I use treats and toys to teach people how to gauge the stress level of their dog if they cannot or will not read body language.

Work on the look at me game at home before classes, really work on it and make it super fun and possitive. This redirection of looking directly at you is something I do with all dogs that are nervous or scared before taking them to the scary place.

Hope this helps, good luck with him

Hi Jennifer, I didnt think I had any more responses to my post then I just looked and i seen yours- we skipped class last week- they were combining the 2 classes together that night and I didnt feel it would be a good idea at all to take him. We go tonight, I am going to tell the instructor I want to be an observer with Sampson and just sit on the side lines and let him watch. Maybe do some OB stuff, etc. where he feels comfortable, if he even will feel comfortable. If he has even a hard time with that I'm thinking of telling him I will try a class later in the year when its outside and hes had some more experience. I am going to put a tab on his pinch and try him just on his flat- he knows sit and down, working on stay and stand right now. I was taking him to this class just for some socialization but that has kinda back fired on me Thanks for your input and hears to hoping I can be calm and assertive tonight!