Anyone doing those things to any dog of mine would have more to worry about than a growl, and not from my dogs...

No one doing either scenario has any right to call themselves a `trainer` imo.

When you consider any potential *real* trainers, [ who actually know what they are doing unlike the two you had the misfortune to come across ], go and watch a few sessions first but without your pup initially so you can really concentrate on the other dogs and interactions, and ask them how they would deal with the situations which happened but without telling them what was done until you have their answers
That way you can decide if they are up to it *before* they do any harm to your dog in the future :smt001

Yes Claire, it was terrible! You will know from experience with BCs that they learn so fast and whatever Charlie learnt at those 2 clubs did not do him any good whatsoever. Unfortunately I will have to train him myself now. I always thought the company of other dogs would have been nice for him.

That is shocking I don't blame you for being suspicious.

I stopped taking Poppy to KCGS Bronze training because of 3 dog aggressive dogs in the class trying to attack her. She enjoyed the classes until one week 3 dogs went for her, she became totally withdrawn within the remaining 45 minutes of the class and was still withdrawn when we got home.

I agree that dog aggressive dogs have a right to training classes, but in our situation the owners weren't taking responsibility for their dogs despite the trainer speaking to them.

Although they should be able to get the training they need I don't think these aggressive dogs should be allowed in training class with other non aggressive dogs.

I used to take Aston to a training class,we went for a couple of months then I had to take him out

He is a very nervous dog around other dogs,he is terrified of them for some unknown reason,he always has been.
So I thought we should take him to these classes to help him socialise but he was always petrified,we had to drag him into the centre,which wasn't nice,and he was unbearable,it was bad enough having friendly dogs come over to say hello to him,but when the aggressive dogs barked at him it was heartbreaking to watch his reaction.

Elvis is very dog aggressive.

I would never dream of taking him to dog classes now as it is not fair on the other owners and dogs, firstly I would be so uptight (making it worse for Elvis) being in a smallish place and with him swinging around on the lead lunging etc will surley put others off!

Plus if I saw a dog i didnt know like Elvis i think i would be a little scared he would attack my dog and put me off training lesson!

So no I dont think dogs should be allowed to 'normal training classes'

Hi,

I would say that dog aggressive dogs that are under control should be allowed into normal training classes - for those that aren't our training class stands on one at a time with a one-on-one "assistant" trainer all the way through to make sure all the dogs are safe and nothing gets out of hand.

Ziggie is a dog aggressive dog but he wont start anything and will happily work around and in close proximity to other dogs, but I count myself lucky to have th training I have and the friends with rock solid dogs to get him over his fears (his stem from being attacked badly as a young pup). However, i'm also aware of the fact that ziggie will always have an "edge" to his temprement and that it's my job to keep it under control. A dog is what their owner makes it, I accept responsibility that one of our five dogs is evil if dogs he doesnt know try to sniff him (have got him upto walking past them) and keep any situation under control for both the other dogs and his sake.

H xx

I think that yes, they should be allowed, but that the trainer should state quite clearly at the beginning of the course how he/she expects their owners to react, and how much proximity those dogs are allowed to non-dog-aggressive dogs.

That way, all owners know the score and they can opt out if they so wish.

I would not tolerate a dog-aggressive dog disrupting Willow's puppy training, but I would not expect it to be banned from the class unless it became unduly difficult to accommodate it

I personally don't think it is a good idea for agressive dogs to be in the same training class, I had problems through out Sukis life with her being attacked, the last time she was attacked she ended up with 39 staples holding her together, she was on the lead a GS was off it did'nt stop attacking till she passed out, I was covered in Sukis blood and bruises trying to fight the dog off it was horrific...back to the training, I could'nt take Suki to training because she was so defensive on the lead, because every time she was attacked she was on the lead. Other dogs did'nt like her at all, I've heard of other Shar peis with similar problems.

when Indy was at his socialisation class, there was an agressive dog who joined my group one day and before the owner and his dog was accepted in the group she asked the group to keep their dog sit and close by and told us about the agressive dog and then said that the owner should walk around each dog and if one of us had a nervous dog, to step aside while the owner and his dog would walk around the group.

Everything went ok and during the class remaining time, the trainer stayed close by the owner and his agressive dog. Some excercise the dog did and some other the dog step aside the group.

I think accepting agressive dog in a class should be ok if the owner is in total control of his/her dog, the trainer or maybe an assistant trainer stay close by the agressive dog and if they are in minority in the group. Maybe one or two per group ... but also before being accepted i thought it wasa good idea to let know other dog owners of the situation and if some of the dogs were too nervous to be around the agressive dog.