I am really upset w/ pebbles trainer and I need to VENT!!! please give advise

[Erin]

There are reputable organizations you can belong to as a trainer but there is no dog training license. Just like you can go to grooming school but there is also no grooming license. Sometimes I think people assume this because you have to have a license to cut hair, for example.

Anyway, while there are some good trainers at Petsmarts/Petcos (maybe they work there for the benefits or something) there could also be an unqualified person who only attended their two day seminar. I can say that after doing obedience classes with Loki and reading training books, I could teach the basic class at PetCo. Sit/Stay/Down/Come/Leave It are not all that difficult to explain and demonstrate. It's the nuances of working with multiple dogs and learning to read their body language that a true trainer learns.

You should get your money back and find an independent positive reinforcement trainer. Good signs are if she lets you use a harness and doesn't insist on a collar, suggests you bring her favorite treats to class, and suggests you never "punish" your dog.

Lots of places will offer small dog classes, you just have to look around.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

Sorry, off-topic here... but I thought that was interesting... do you teach your dogs all commands in both languages? Sorry, for the hijack, I just find this really interesting.


To the OP... I would also quit and take some more time at home. Maybe try a reward of a toy instead.

yes i do...hehe...

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by diach

Maybe my trainer has a twin living in Florida. She would always comment on me carrying Murphy in the store. Murphy was still getting his puppy shots.
I was ok with him being around other puppies, but I was not going to let him out and about with the other dogs in the store. Were the other dogs up to date on their vacines?
I started to take Murphy to the daycare by my house. They have small dog playtime every Sat. for 2 hours. I also joined a small breed meet-up. Then, I started to leave him at daycare occassionaly where he came in contact with bigger dogs, but under supervision. I have to say, Murphy now gets along with all sizes of dogs, but always under supervision.

your daycare sounds nice. I wish I could find something like that around here.

I have no idea if these dogs are up to date on shots. On the paper for the class it says to bring in the papers to prove shots on the first class. Well today was the first class, and I did not see her checking papers at all.

To be honest I get the feeling the trainer doesnt like me specifically... I have asked her questions after class and she ignores me/acts like she doesnt hear, and goes to help someone else. I know she heard me. I am talking just as loud as the others. It is frustrating. I hate when people don't treat me well for no good reason.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by lulababy

You know, now that I think about it, I really should report her for letting the big dogs jump all over the small dogs like that. She made us feel like we were being too overprotective if we complained or said anything or picked up our dogs.

The trainer you had sounds like a much better example of what I imagine a trainer to be. Was the class WITH the humane society or was it just held there? I honestly dont know where else to look for training classes around here

I'm tellin' ya - that was appalling that she allowed LARGE dogs jump on tiny ones - my jaw was on the floor. You have every right to be angry and frustrated.

For my class, it was held there - but it was also sponsored by the H.A. and she was so incredible. They aren't doing the classes anymore, but I think they will again. So, maybe check out your local agency? In my area, I've also seen ads in little local newspapers, Pet newsapers, Community Class flyers. Also, even check yellow pages, google search your area, ask at a pet boutique maybe?

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by lulababy

I am unsure if I am too leniant. I havent seen many other people train their dogs and everyone was really nice to their dog in the class. I mean, there was little girl in the class with her old grandmother and they were very sweet. The little girl got her puppy to sit with the food treats--i helped her. I was not poo-pooing pebbles and letting her do what she wanted. I was really trying to get her attention at me and what we were doing. I had food AND treats. I had my foot down on her leash and she would just move around and look at everything but me. I had to literally hold her face in my hand and force her to look at me at one point. I was not mean though, just firm. I think it really does work a lot easier when they actually like "the reward/food" you give them.

that is true also...but sometimes all my babies wanted was all the good girl/rub at the end...hehe...i guess every dog is different...I recently had MeiLing in confirmation class and she didn't care about the treats....all she cared about was the dogs in the class...which were huge...so am re-enrolling next time around because by then she will older and her attention span has grown...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by lulababy

I hate when people don't treat me well for no good reason.

Okay, NOW I'm going to kick her A$$.

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by Erin

There are reputable organizations you can belong to as a trainer but there is no dog training license. Just like you can go to grooming school but there is also no grooming license. Sometimes I think people assume this because you have to have a license to cut hair, for example.

Anyway, while there are some good trainers at Petsmarts/Petcos (maybe they work there for the benefits or something) there could also be an unqualified person who only attended their two day seminar. I can say that after doing obedience classes with Loki and reading training books, I could teach the basic class at PetCo. Sit/Stay/Down/Come/Leave It are not all that difficult to explain and demonstrate. It's the nuances of working with multiple dogs and learning to read their body language that a true trainer learns.

You should get your money back and find an independent positive reinforcement trainer. Good signs are if she lets you use a harness and doesn't insist on a collar, suggests you bring her favorite treats to class, and suggests you never "punish" your dog.

Lots of places will offer small dog classes, you just have to look around.

I had no idea there are no licences to be had for training or grooming that is scary, and explains a lot of those horror stories about taking dogs to groomers at petsmart/petco.

I also read two books on training and they were positive reinforcement. It said to never push your dog into position. So I have never done that. I was surprised when she told me to push pebbles down to make her sit.

Whats weird is she said those things, bring harness, and bring favorite treats... I think she believes in punishment though

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Okay, NOW I'm going to kick her A$$.

do it! do it! do it! hehe

[diach]

Originally Posted by lulababy

your daycare sounds nice. I wish I could find something like that around here.

I have no idea if these dogs are up to date on shots. On the paper for the class it says to bring in the papers to prove shots on the first class. Well today was the first class, and I did not see her checking papers at all.

To be honest I get the feeling the trainer doesnt like me specifically... I have asked her questions after class and she ignores me/acts like she doesnt hear, and goes to help someone else. I know she heard me. I am talking just as loud as the others. It is frustrating. I hate when people don't treat me well for no good reason.

I felt the same way. You and I seem so much alike. I would get your money back,and find somewhere else to go. Looking back, I wished I did. I paid for the class with giftcards, so I knew i would not get the cash back and needed the cash to pay for another trainer. I also have more time in the summer and knew I didn't have time to find something else. So,overall I wasted my money. I learned a few things, but like you I felt she did not like Murphy or me.

[jrincon17]

never LIked petco, not even going there. i like pet smart better.

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Okay, NOW I'm going to kick her A$$.

LOL please come fly here and do it. She is a rather large woman and I am small

[yorkiegirl83]

I would go elsewhere and ask for a refund. This "trainer" doesn't seem very knowledgable in dog training. I have always been told you should NEVER force your dog into a sit or any other position. Once they sit on their own, you praise like crazy and treat.

Can I give you some advice you could work on w/your baby that worked w/mine? Mckenzie is very hard to train and I read this in the book "The Loved Dog" by Tamar Gellar, I believe.

You go into a smaller room w/no distractions like a bathroom and just sit there with treats. Once your furbaby sits, lays, or whatever you want them to do on their own w/o any instruction you praise like crazy saying sit sit sit or down down down or whatever the command is and treat.

There's no force and they did the action on their own, and they will connect that sitting, ect = treat.

I really hope you can get your money back. It seems like the trainer isn't addressing the needs of all the dogs in the class and isn't interested in making the owners comfortable.

[jrincon17]

THATS great advice

[lulababy]

Originally Posted by diach

I felt the same way. You and I seem so much alike. I would get your money back,and find somewhere else to go. Looking back, I wished I did. I paid for the class with giftcards, so I knew i would not get the cash back and needed the cash to pay for another trainer. I also have more time in the summer and knew I didn't have time to find something else. So,overall I wasted my money. I learned a few things, but like you I felt she did not like Murphy or me.

how sad is it when you feel your trainer doesnt like you?! youd think theyd have better "bedside manner"

I am going to call tomorrow and try and get a refund. Then after I get my money back I will talk to the manager about this woman. I hope they do not give me a hard time because the class was postponed a month, and try to say my two class days have passed I will be really mad then.

I know she will know it was me who complained though. It will be obvious--she will not see me back in class. But whatever, its not like we were best friends anyway

[JRo]

I agree with not going back...it just doesn't sound like a safe and nurturing way to learn.

As far as treats go, Tucker is insanely picky, too. He hates all biscuit type treats. I spent lots and lots of money trying to find treats that were healthy and motivating. What finally worked are Dogswell Chicken Breast strips (they come in duck and liver, too, if your little one is sensitive to chicken). I break them into tiny pieces and he goes NUTS for them!

Good luck!