I began basic obedience training (come, sit, stay)
with my pup the day I brought her home (8 weeks old) all off leash in house and outside in the dog's fenced area (1 1/2 acres). She will always come when called (even with the distractions of play with several other dogs)and sit for her praise. The stay is short lived but given her age I'm not too concerned. Our leash training ie-walking on a leash with a flat collar; only began within the past week's time. I have recently been given the opportunity to participate in a 4-H 12 week obedience class that is taught by a 30yr veteran of dog training. It is my goal to use this opportunity for socialization with a more structured enviroment for education.

We attended our first class last week (32 people and dogs)and the trainer with several assistants broke us up into several groups based upon the dog's education level ie- 1st yr, 2nd yr, 3rd yr.

The majority of first year students are comprised of young children (average age 10) with very large unruly dogs. As we were practicing a sit and stay and then walking around our dogs in a sit stay; it became very obvious that my pup was the only one in this particular group that had any prior education training. The head trainer approached me and suggested that if I felt my my pup was going to be bored in this group that I could move up to the next "more advanced" level.

I really don't feel that my pup is ready for the next level. However; the dogs in that class are much better behaved and it might be safer in that class. IE--in the first level; an unruly large lab with an small framed child that was not paying attention allowed her dog to attack another dog. When the trainer interveened; the aggressor would not repeat the action for a possible demonstrated correction.

As I stated; I'm attending with my pup for socialization; but I don't want to put my pup at risk.

I should also add that I live in a very rural area with limited ability to provide the necessary exposures of the outside world for socialization.

What are your thoughts?

In that situation I would move to the higher group. I am not sure why the trainer is allowing children to participate that can't control the dogs they have physicaly. If you don't move I would be afraid that the likelyhood is high that your puppy will be attacked and have long term problems of a result. The other advantage to the move is that the better trained dogs are more likely to create the type of socialization you are looking for.

4-H is for kids, and they do all kinds of animal/agriculture related activities involving all kinds of animals, from bunnies to bulls. If a 10 year old kid can raise and show cattle, then I think it's within the realm of reasonability that a 10 year old kid could learn to handle a dog. I think it's great that kids want to learn how to train their dogs, and that there are experienced adults willing to teach them this valuable skill, and to provide the guidance they need to do so safely.

Barbara, based upon what you have written, I'd move up to the next level. I don't think the head trainer would have suggested it if they didn't feel you and your pup were ready.

L. Swanston,

I used to be a 4-h leader, so I know the program well. My concern is that the children need to work with animals they can control or have much more parental assistance until the dog is under control. If there are fights in a training situation because the dog is too large for the handler (no matter the age) there is a big problem.

We had a similar situation recently with a Rott that is handled by a very small woman. In addition to her size in comparison to the dog, she has poor technique and doesn't pay adequate attention to the dog when not doing agitation. This resulted in the dog escaping from her and attempting to attack or Mini while she was working. Fortunately my wife got the dog out of the way until the Rott was controled, but if the dog wrking was one of the Pits or the Cane Corso (120#), or an adult GSD there could have been a serious fight.

My thought for these kids is that it would be better for the trainer to work with the child 1 on 1 until the dog is in better control for the group. Another option would be to have some one help by double handleing the dog by using a long line so the dog couldn't get away to fight.