First day of obedience class with new club, and they want a slip collar--??

[RocketDog]

Well, that's the thing. I am working on LAT, but I'm having a bit of trouble in the sense that in a situation like today, where we're 6ft apart he is over his threshold. Not always...like later in the class he did not. However, he was wearing the slip collar, and I don't know if that's why. He was always good in his prior classes, but that was a couple of months ago almost and we all know there's a big difference between 4.5 months and 6.5 months.

They use positive reinforcement, said I could use my clicker in class as long as no one else complained it was distracting. I think they just thought I needed more control in the beginning--the door to the building is a single door. You are in very tight quarters when coming in and out.

I was thinking if I got one at all, I could get a prong. I know I couldn't use it on the test, but I don't care. The point of the test is whether the dog can pass it or not. I want him to be able to pass it off-leash. (I know they don't do it, but that's what I eventually want out of him) I still am kind of worried because I agree---I KNOW he's not doing it because he's blowing me off, it's because he's not that solid yet.

[Jax08]

I think I would have pulled him back away from the dogs and let him look a little until he calmed down. I am NOT anti-correction. There is a time and place for one. I'm just not convinced he knew what was being asked of him?? I think I would work on teaching him focus and impulse control.

I'm a little biased in this situation because I trained Jax with compulsion out of ignorance and have really had to work on getting her trust back and building a working relationship.

[onyx'girl]

He is still 6 months, you are expecting waaay too much out of him! Give him time to be a puppy and enjoy it. Don't worry if he isn't solid, there is plenty of time to get there. I would train him with another dog(maybe someone in class will meet up with you a time or two for a bit of training) try to proof a behavior or two, don't expect too much or push at this age. Work on engagement and focus with positions at home and that foundation should carry over in public as he matures.

[RocketDog]

Lol. I don't think I'm being clear

I agree wholeheartedly, but they said I needed one for the class. There isn't an option to back him away and let him look if there's dogs right in the door--- you'd just have to stay outside and shut the door. It's a big metal building, no windows.

I sincerely appreciate your help --- maybe I'll just try to get there early so we don't have that issue, work with a dog I can find, and try it again. They didn't say I couldn't come without one, but they inferred it. Guess I'll find out.

[GregK]

Originally Posted by RocketDog

I asked about a prong, but they said you can't use it for the CGC test, so they want me to buy a slip.

You shouldn't need either for the test. Even if you did have a slip collar on him during the test, you can't give a leash-jerk correction.

I'd use a prong to get the control you need in class while working on the engagement and focus. You then gradually wean him off the training collar to a flat collar.