First night obedience training. Not sure what to think?

[AnneJ68]

Started classes tonight with a local dog breeder/trainer. AKC trainer/tester for Canine Citizenship and S.T.A.R. Puppy testing. 17 years training, 19 years breeding Irish Setters. I said all that to give the background on who I went to. Not just someone trained to give obedience training.

First night was just for the owners. Go over basics, socialization, nutrition, etc. She got to biting and asked if anyone had particular issues. I spoke up about Bentley play biting while being groomed and having his harness put on. She kind of went off about harness about them actually doing more harm than good with training. Harnesses encourage a dog to pull. I explained about toys having delicate tracheas and are susceptible to trachea injury from collars. She was just hung up on harnesses and pulling on the leash. She basically said she was not sure where I got my information but I should leave that to the trainers. I was basically dumbfounded at her response to me I really didn't know what to say.

I'm kind of shrugging it off to big dog breeder. She's a very well educated woman, seems to keep up to date on the latest training and nutrition information for dogs. I would like to be able to try to educate her on from what I can tell is a serious toy related issue. If anyone can help me with information on that I would be really appreciative. Next week we start with our actual dogs and at this point I'm not sure what to do. I have paid for the class so I will continue but just don't want issues with the trainer if I decide to continue with the harness. Good solid fact I think is my best defense.

[KazzyK810]

Sorry to hear you had a rough first time at training.

Trainers & breeders are not vets. Many are not knowledgeable about canine anatomy, nor do they have thorough understanding of the health concerns of specific dog breeds.

ACVS - Tracheal Collapse

[AnneJ68]

Thanks, I hope it helps. I think she thought I was nuts for saying collars could lead to tracheal problems in small breeds especially toys.

I think once she sees what this little boy is made of I'll have an easier time.

Somewhat worried that since is appears that Bentley will be much smaller than his classmates I may have issues. Maybe I would have been better with Pet Co or Petsmart training. Keeping my fingers crossed that we possibly got off on the "wrong paw" and maybe things will be different next week.

[Teresa Ford]

Being a trainer myself, I know some of us can be an arrogant and self important. We don't all use the same methods or have the same convictions about certain things.
I suggest simply saying something like this," My Vet says that I should use a harness on my Yorkie to prevent damage to her trachea." You do not have to provide proof or explain why you choose to use a harness. If it really bothers you copy some of our Yorkie Talk articles about CT. And give them to the teacher privately.
I only train toy dogs and puppies and we NEVER use a leash on the collar. Only harnesses are allowed. So see in my class, if you had a large Akita pup maybe my methods would not work for you ! Hope this helps.

[MaxYorkieBear]

im sorry about to hear that the trainer was a little old school when it comes to harnesses and small breeds. I do suggest you just ignore it and use the harness that you have although if she really see's it as a training issue there are other options available to you. I have friends that use font lead harnesses. they are safe for small breeds and many large breed owners have started using them also since they dont believe in pulling necks either. They look like this.

Front Lead No Pull Dog Harness Made in USA | eBay

they're basically harnesses with the ring in the front instead of the back. They do help when training loose leash walking since it prevents the dog from walking in front of you. I find a regular harness works fine for me but some dogs are bigger puller than others

Good luck in your training! i hope the rest of the classes get better.

[Lovetodream88]

That's sad that she is "we'll educated" but does not know about ct in smaller dogs. I wonder how many dogs got ct or just had to suffer gasping for air because of her. I would not use a collar stand strong on using the harness or walk out. I did not now about collars and CT when my Yorkie was a puppy and used a collar and my dog now has CT and sense there is not cure she will have to live with it her whole life. Personally I would ask for a refund and get a different trainer. Small dogs are very different then big dogs.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

Being a trainer myself, I know some of us can be an arrogant and self important. We don't all use the same methods or have the same convictions about certain things.
I suggest simply saying something like this," My Vet says that I should use a harness on my Yorkie to prevent damage to her trachea." You do not have to provide proof or explain why you choose to use a harness. If it really bothers you copy some of our Yorkie Talk articles about CT. And give them to the teacher privately.
I only train toy dogs and puppies and we NEVER use a leash on the collar. Only harnesses are allowed. So see in my class, if you had a large Akita pup maybe my methods would not work for you ! Hope this helps.

Yes, just say it is medically indicated. Any trainer that argues with what my vet feels is best is no longer my dogs' trainer.

I'd see just how many things she is so set on though. It sounds like an uphill battle.

It will ge hard to get proof that CT is daused by collars. Most fets don't even believe that (but they can make an existing problem worse). But do what you reel safe with. My yorkie pulls on a harness...but she also pulled on a collar. Our other dog, when being worked with, does fine with a harness (17 pounds).

Are they letting in prong collars, etc.?
I have no problem with big and small dogs interacting, but in a training environment where the big dogs haven't learned to ge gentle I would skip it for my yorkie.

Bottom line is...you are the owner and owe no explaination.

[gracielove]

Personally I would be hesitant to trust this trainer. She has experience with her breed and maybe some other large breeds but apparently has not taken the time to learn about small breeds or terriers in general. You do not risk damage to a small breed dog by putting a collar on it. The pulling issue is a big dog issue and can be dealt with if you know more than one method of training. This trainer appears to depend totally on the choke collar to control her dogs. That is sad to begin with.

I often recommend that people go to an AKC trainer experienced in advanced training methods but as is true with any group of people there are good and bad.

I have trained many breeds of dogs including mixed breeds and toys but in my lifetime had never trained a terrier. Boy did I have my work cut out for me when I got Gracie! It was a whole new learning experience. If your trainer is not willing to accept different concepts of training when dealing with different breeds, their personalities, and well being, then I would question the well being of my pet in her class. She is very limited in her qualifications even if she has been training for years.

[AnneJ68]

Thank you all for you input and support. Makes me feel better about standing my ground next week.

Only homework for this week is getting the dogs used to touch and dealing with biting problems, oh and grading the dog food I currently use.

Bentley has limited experience on leash and harness in general due to weather. I am going to do my own "extra credit" this week. I'm going to try to work extra hard this week with Bentley getting him used to the leash. Might try some tethering. He's sharp as a tack so I'm sure if I'm consistent he will do great. Would be interesting to show her better in puppy actions than owner words next week.

I will keep you all posted.