Dog Club - For Triallers

[JulesP]

I am interested in who does and who doesn't attend a regular dog school. And the whys (of course, lol). Looking for replies from people who want to trial.

[The Spotted Devil]

I don't attend a dog club....but will hopefully find the time to join one shortly to get a bit of ring practice.

The main reason why I haven't is that I know how I want to train my dog and want to keep it fun! Zig's just not the sort of dog that would have coped well with heeling for 20 minutes in a class full of other dogs I've gradually increased his distraction training to the point where, after the Dally Club Open Show yesterday, I put him through his paces in the ring - it was miserably cold and wet and there were dogs and people everywhere so lots of lovely sights and smells but he had barely an eye or nose for anything else but me I was absolutely delighted with him!

Just need to find a free weekend now - darn Uni :D

[dogdude]

I go for the ring run through (which is what is essentially the trialling class), but I don't teach new exercises there unless they have equipment that I don't have at home.

I use it for socialising (dogs and me), and of course distractions after learning new exercises.

I would never attend a group class at a dog club (no need to......they are only for newbys to learn the craft), and are counter productive to a trialling dogs learning curve and drive.

We have quite a sizeable trialling group at Warringal, so its good just to go and talk dogs!

[Ptolomy]

I go club training every couple of weeks, not to join in a class - but to work on the outside - the distractions are better than what you will get at a trial

[Seita]

Same as most other people's replies goes for me. I go every few weeks for distraction training. I occaisonally jump into a class for a few minutes as the distractions of doing a heel pattern with 10 other dogs nearby is heaps better than most other places! I also do the occasional ring run out at club as well. I train all new things at home and only work on them at club when my dog is at proofing stage.

[spyda62]

I regularly attend a dog club with my girl Tank. I go (usually) once a week. I started going because I was really struggling to train this dog. It was the best thing I could ever have done for both of us.

I desperately want to do trialling with her and (fingers crossed) think we will get there.

I have another young dog that I am going to start at this club in about 3 weeks time (different night to my other dog). I cant wait! I love going!

[luckydog]

Group classes were not good for my dog.

But the social aspect was great and doing a trial run-through is fantastic way to get feedback plus do group stays.

The idea of doing one-on-one training close by so the dog is used to training with dogs near by is a great one.

[Gayle.]

I go to our local obedience club every Saturday morning. I absolutely love it and so does my 14yo daughter and our dogs. She does agility with Benson, then we have a dog each for obedience classes.

[leopuppy04]

I go to club as often as I can - as you know Jules P

I think a lot of work (if you know what you are doing) you can do at home..... so you don't need to go to a club :cool:

BUT...

one thing you can never really recreate is the huge distraction of the ## of dogs and people milling about - agility, flyball, obedience events etc,etc which is what makes training at club so good.

If my club had 'group' classes at the trialling level, I wouldn't go as often, and would probably sit out a lot except for the stays. BUT our club is (so I found out!) one of a few which has a trialling ring set up every week... and for me this is invaluable - you can make it as trial like as you wish, or have heaps of rewards. And what better way to learn than to have someone call out for you and comment on how you are going . My dogs tend to be 'perfect' in the park, but the practice ring is a great way to get those nigglies out of the way before going to an actual trial

[Guest Tess32]

I keep intending to go but it's cold! I do need to get him used to training under distractions.

[FHRP]

I go to a club for puppy class and then the trialing classes. All training inbetween is done out of class, but mostly at the club. The trialing class gives the disctractions and also the opportunity for another set of eyes to notice handling etc. I often won't go the full hour though and I pick classes based on the instructor, one that will actually provide some helpful feedback.

[Silvawilow]

I go every week to our obedience club but rarely ever train because I normally have to instruct We've just lost two instructors so there's just two regulars and 5 trainees, so hopefully things will improve on the training front soon!

We've just started an Instructors class which is great because that way the instructors don't miss out on training. Most of our instructors are triallers so this class is great cause it's small!

Most people at our club are pet people but we are starting to get more who are jumping into the trial ring!