Jeremy, I think it is great that you went and that this experience isn't going to hold you back from continuing forward. I went to different clubs without a dog and then back to the one I liked 2 times without a dog. Turned into a big joke, all in good fun but I took a lot of teasing about that. Like you I had no idea what I was getting into or taking my dog into. I really wanted to see what it was all about plus get a feel for the people and thier dogs.

Like Leah stated above, I chose the place that fit me. I can't speak to this trainer's methods or what you saw, but for me there has to be a level of trust between the handler, trainer and helper plus fitting the individual dog in that scenario. There are a lot of techniques that can be used to achieve a goal thus a title, but for me the technique is important and it shows in the dog and how it interacts with the handler. Take a look at Steve S. and Andy's clips again on the other thread, Andy is a happy, willing dog. Even in the still photo of Aaron M and Danke in the sig shows a healthy working relationship.

Keep up marker training and the search!

(did the 4 non-new members offer any insight?)

I initially emailed both clubs in tulsa, it took a few days to get back to me, but both were friendly and welcoming.

They are use marker training and positive methods whenever possible.

There was 4 new members (including us) a mom and daughter with a three month old gsd and 5 month old gsd. They were not happy with what they saw and left asap! Actually no members showed up. Just us 4 1st timers.

Meeka did very well for the most part. A lot better then she I thought she would around other dogs. Trainer kept working with meeka at the first . She wasn't having it. Once she gets used to a stranger she is fine with them . But it was a new place, lots of dog scents, etc. Hell he threw the ball and she just stood there. And we know how crazy she is about her ball. Ball worked great for me to distract her from the other dogs

In protection, they're in a completely different level of drive. Especially once they have a few sessions. The noise from the female while she was being spun may not have been from any pain.

Obedience and control are critical and if you can gain it with no corrections, thats great. But be prepared for it not to go that way. I'm not comenting on this guy or his work Jeremy, but if you didnt like him, even if he's the best trainer in the world, there's no sense in you making that drive.

Did he try a pillow or rag or anything with her? What did he do other then the ball?

Yeah he tried a few things with her. She showed no interest in him at all. Wouldnt even look his direction. Im sure this was because he was a new stranger and didnt know him that well. It wasnt his training methods that bothered me as much as his personality. He was just very rude, oh well. nothing against him. We jsut didnt see eye to eye.
- I know i wont have to do that to my female to get her to mind me. She is usually mids with a simple correction, but all dogs are different. My male im getting may be a knuckle head.
-Really he tried those two things and that was it. He messed with the puppys the whole time from the other couples.

But he had you keep her out watching them?

Yes he kept us there watching them. I kept trying to keep meeka distracted with the ball. Her hair was standing up at times. But the ball helped to keep her from "staring" them down. He made me crate her once while he worked with the pups without a leash.

The idea of keeping her out there really isnt for you to keep her attention. Ideally she'd get interested it what the helper is doing, but if she's only interested in the other dogs its not helping.

Its going to be a challenge for you Jeremy. To get anywhere your going to need a very good helper with a whole lot of good ideas from tons of experience. Can you have someone she knows play with her with a rag while you hold the line?

Yes I can Steve. She adores everyone in my household. And my family as in, brother, sister, in laws.
- I know I'm in for a challenge. Our training has slacked off a little due to work. But we still get the time in daily. I might not always get to the field but we do get sessions in daily.
- She has gotten very sloppy here in the past week. Even with the basic sit, down, Etc. She was doing great and now she is so focused with the ball that she is getting sloppy. I dont know if I should start some corrections at this point or what. Like i said, she was doing great working all these commands with the ball. But not now.

Edited by Jeremy Moore (08/02/2010 12:21 AM)
Edit reason: typo's