I think that is due to lack of imagination of the trainers!

Training is a journey, so when I took classes regularly, I used to ask those present what they wanted to learn, and also have lots of fun things to do for those who had no interest in competing in any discipline; fun but useful such as shutting doors, getting drinks out of the fridge, emptying washing machines etc.

The list is endless but many people get stuck in a rut and I think that is why people do not maintain going to classes (although some come for social and everyone has different requirements)

Kez is the same...she can do most exercises, she is even controllable around other dogs. But she will not let a stranger touch her (not without being properly introduced over a period of days and loads of treats...not sure the KC would allow that!)

Thanks SB looks interesting, I will ask at my dog school about the BH

Tookone of my pups 2 attempts to pass his bronze because of the stay, he was getting stressy because other people gave a 'wait' command to their dog and I gave him a 'stay' command and he kept looking at them then at me and just couldn't cope, bless!!!!

My son is about to start a 6 week Bronze course with the cosmic one...Cosmo can do a minute down stay no probs...for me...will be interesting if he will do it for my son. They do have a fab relationship though so I am more than hopeful and the trainers are second to none

Lilly passed her bronze with no problems, all but one passed in our class (although a couple dropped out before test knowing that they could not pass), the one that failed failed on the stay.

We have been going to a silver club and she is really good but recently I've been concerned over some of the methods my club has started using (on other dogs, not lilly). Water sprays on a GSD who was incredibly jumpy, Walking dogs until they can barely move before training starts, and shaker cans. I've been going for 2 years with same trainer and only seen this in the last couple of weeks. I'm currently looking for a different club, but they dont seem to be many in the north east

I think the good citizen scheme is a great idea. Tilly has passed bronze, silver and gold. We did have to put a lot of work in with the gold though. The dog has to be sent away to settle and Tilly wasnt keen on the idea of being told to go to bed while the sun was still out!! Funnily enough, the stays are the easy part for us. Thats the one thing she's always done really well. In 4 years of obedience shows, she's only broken her stay once and that was in torrential rain when she got up and went and sat under the judges table. Cant say I blame her!

With much pride here is Alba's bronze and silver awards, she is 7 months old

http://www.wolflookalike.com/awards.html

We stayed on to watch the dogs go for gold, unfortunately none of them got it, all on the emergency stop which is a crying shame as they all do it perfect in class.

Many of the dogs failed the bronze and silver too, the examiner was strict about what is required and quite rightly so or what's the point of doing it.

We have been going to a silver club and she is really good but recently I've been concerned over some of the methods my club has started using (on other dogs, not lilly). Water sprays on a GSD who was incredibly jumpy, Walking dogs until they can barely move before training starts, and shaker cans. I've been going for 2 years with same trainer and only seen this in the last couple of weeks. I'm currently looking for a different club, but they dont seem to be many in the north east

If you have an issue with a KC registered club then you can report it/them to the KC and they will follow it up.

Most reputable clubs would not use water sprays or shaker/rattle cans for the MAIN reason that the effects of these a) can affect the rest of the attendees and b) may have consquences in the individuals that have not been thought of.

You have to remember, that although a club can be KC registered and has to abide by their rules; none of the trainers need to be skilled, knowledgeable, trained or experienced.

Have you looked here for a list of clubs in your area?

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2620

You wanna start classes in my area? The one good class is now full up and the other classes I have looked at I have been v unhappy with - people using corrector spray and water bottles in the class, the trainer snatching stressed dogs away and pulling them into the middle of the class to 'deal with their problems' (flooding) afraid I had to give up going to classes

I had just looked on the KC site before I put the post and have emailed another club in my area for details. The Place I go is a nationwide chain where they are like a one stop shop for all things pet related, grooming, boarding etc. I've always been really happy, and my dog has gone there for grooming and trainin and day care. Corrector sprays are another thing I've seen used in the last couple of weeks. Mostly they use positive techniques, that's all I've ever used with Lilly (with the exception of very early on when I bought a corrector spray which I used once and ever again).

I would also love to try to et her to the stage when she can do competitive ability and this club does not do this