Social class experiences.

jinxycat

Just thought it'd be nice to start a thread where people could share there experiences of social classes.

So a bit of back history about why I decided to start social classes. I've two dogs, Millie an americian akita and Hudson a german shepard cross with a labrador.

I had Millie first from 9 months old, she was a rescued dog that my friends got from the pound, they had no where to keep here at the time and asked would I mind her for a few weeks til their house was ready. I was more than happy to but I was a little nervous of her due to her size. Then with advice from fellow akita owners on here and some research I trained her myself and relaxed more with her which worked. Unfortunately when walking her I always got nervous when other dogs would approach as I was bitten by a dog before myself. So you can imagine the nightmare and how embarressed I was on meeting fellow dog walkers. At the time I didn't want to step on anyones toes as she wasn't my dog.

Three years later Millie was still with me as the garden wasn't finished so eventually my friends gave her to me as they felf it was unfair to take her away from me after so long. So you can imagine my delight when I got this news as I loved the bones off her and put in so much work with her at home.

This is where I decided to get Hudson as I wanted some company for her and was hoping it would get Millie used to other dogs. I was a little nervous first, but Millie totally surprised me she loved the puppy and has been great with him since day one. Unfortunatelt they were both then a disaster on the leads then when walking. Although at home she would never bark if dogs were out front but Hudson would always react. I gave it a few months and no improvement on the walks so I bit the bullet and decided I was going with social classes.

First day of classes was anightmare, both dogs were pulling, snarling, growling. I was so mortified and felt like been back at school and put in the bold corner. Most of the other dog owners were avoiding me at all costs and I was so tense as it wasn't what I was expecting at all.

Two weeks later Hudson was off the lead and playing around with the other dogs, he'd challenge them now and again but nothing would ever come of it, he was just trying to be a big lad with them Millie however was now not showing any signs to warn you that she was not happy, she would just jump on a dog when they came near here or walked past her. My world fell apart I thought she was an aggressive dog which I couldn't understand as she was so good with Hudson. I had a chat with the trainer and she sad she's not aggressive just been very dominate dog.

Week three still no improvement with Millie but I was getting much better at relaxing with her as she was playing off my tense too, so it really was half my fault too. By the end of the first month she was starting to relax more and not just lunge or jump at other dogs and give off warning signs such as curling the lip or growling and been tense and staring, so I was able to correct her before anything could happen.

By the half way through the second month she was much more relaxed and Hudson was flying, he loved playing with the other dogs, he just couldn't wait to get off the lead and play with the balls.:D So we decided to let Millie off with a very small group off dogs at the end of class. Forgot to mention Millie was always muzzled at classes o if she did snap at another dog no damage could be done. All she did was investigate around the place and avoid the other dogs, she was more interested in the smells.

The following week we let her off at the last 10 mins of class with all the dogs to see how she'd get on. I was smiling from ear to ear she was brilliant and was going up to the dogs sniffing and we laughed when she approached a cocker spaniel, the dog let bark out at Millie and Millie jumped a mile in the other direction. Ever since she has been off lean for the second half of the class and she has been amazing so has Hudson, they are much better dogs now, even when walking them I can approach other people walking there dogs now and not fear there will be a scuffel.

Today at class Mille was off lead for half an hour and did fantastic, she loves the new puppy that has joined the group and has also started wagging her tail when she's approaching other dogs which she has only ever done when meeting puppies. Today was a day I thought i'd never see, my two dogs playing with other dogs, a new dog joined the group today and it's massive, much bigger than Millie and she loved him at first she was tense only cause I was a little too as I'd never seen such a big dog, once I relaxed she relaxed and was up sniffing him no problem.

I would have to say after my experience I would definately recommend social classes to everyone as it can make such a difference. I personally have a much better understanding of my dogs and what to watch out for when approaching other dogs. I'm so relaxed now with the dogs and not nervous around other peoples dogs either.:D:D:D


Here's the culprits after class, flaked out!!!

Dilbert75

Where did you find these classes?

jinxycat

I found out about them through my aunt as she had the trainer out in her house and then I looked up the site online and went from there. Discovered it was only 2 mins down the road from me and I never even knew about the place

Dilbert75

It was in Meath though, was it? I've never seen socialisation classes for older dogs - we got our girl at 11 months from ISPCA and she's very undersocialised. If there was something reasonably close it'd be great to find it.

jinxycat

Yes they're in navan. I can pm you details if you like.