Is a little-dog-only obedience school a good idea?

[MeganS]

I agree with the trainer. As long as the big dogs are restrained and their owners can handle them, I personally think it's important for them to be around each other. I know that you've got the big lug at home, but I'd think that it'd be a totally different enviroment, more of a work enviroment at the obedience class, and I see it as important for him to be good working with other dogs and that he is comfortable around dogs of all sizes. It could also help you because I know that as little dog owners we tend to get nervous some times around big dogs. It's not a bad thing to be cautious, but sometimes we are so focused on what the other dog is doing that WE create the negative vibes, and the dogs feed off of that. I think that sticking with a big/small dog class, you will get really good at knowing how to be alert to the other dogs and keeping track of how they're acting, without letting it really bother you and take away from what you're learning/teaching.

I see the positives of both sides, but I'd prefer a mixed class.

[Lovely05]

[QUOTE=alaskayorkie;2360675]LOL, sorry, your pups are doomed to a life of associating with big dogs -- all because of how you voted.

I don't understand what you are trying to say in your post about my dog. I am just concern for my dog's safety due to how big dogs like to attack little dogs. Please explain your comment. Maybe big dogs need to take obedience classes with little dogs, because they need to learn how to behave around little dogs. My dog has a great personality, and he likes all dogs.

[Lovely05]

[quote=Lovely05;2361503]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

LOL, sorry, your pups are doomed to a life of associating with big dogs -- all because of how you voted.

I don't understand what you are trying to say in your post about my dog. I am just concern for my dog's safety due to how big dogs like to attack little dogs. Please explain your comment. Maybe big dogs need to take obedience classes with little dogs, because they need to learn how to behave around little dogs. My dog has a great personality, and he likes all dogs.

I am sorry. I think I understand your post now. I did not get the joke.

[Rae Rae]

I put other because I have a reason for yes, and a reason for no. My yes is because training is apart of socializing, they socialize and get "used to" other dogs, and I don't want my dogs to be afraid of another dog because of their size. But on the other hand, you don't know the other dog at all, and what if he/she tried to attack your little dog? I know this can happen with any dog, but a bigger dog can do far more damage to a small dog then another small dog, atleast with another small dog they can defend themselves more.

[alaskayorkie]

[quote=Lovely05;2361510]

Originally Posted by Lovely05

I am sorry. I think I understand your post now. I did not get the joke.

Yes, sorry, it was just meant as a lighthearted joke. Sorry if it didn't come across.

[Deegan's mom]

I think that each obedience clas should consist of half small dogs, and half big dogs because they all need to be socialized amost one another... there's always going to be different sizes of dogs around and to confine them to only dogs their own size is not fair to them because eventually they will run into a different sized dog and they need to know how and be prepared for the situations.

[chattiesmom]

Gee Whiz, my problem was opposite of what most have mentioned. I took Chizziewink to obedience class -- mixed class with large dogs and small dogs. Chizzie was the smallest in the group, however, one of the "trainees" brought a ball for his lab (which was against the rules) and before class he was playing with the lab with the ball.

Well, my little ball obsessed little Chizziewink got really pissed off and when we started with the class I wound up next to the lab. Chizzie attacked the lab - so the instructor moved us. Unfortunately because Chizzie was now in a royally pissed off mood, she growled at and sniped at everyone. Finally the instructor moved us to the center by her and lo and behold if my sweet little one didn't go after the Instructor's jack russell.

Chizzie did behave better the next class, but I tell you, the big dogs aren't safe around my Chizziewink I have to add that the lab just looked at Chizzie as if to say, you have got to be kidding.....