owner is people reactive in class

[furrykidmom]

Help me. My husband says I should let it go. Let me set up the scenario.

We started nosework class. I did not know that our 5 month old pup would be crated during the class. He barked and whined the majority of the two hours that he was in the crate. It made it very difficult for people near me to hear including myself. I tried to hold a piece of salmon jerky thru the door and let him slowly lick and chew at it. This was helpful but I did not have enough for two hours. If I had known he was going to be crated I would have brought something to entertain him.

Anyway, I have no idea what time class is going to end but he is driving me crazy and I felt like an idiot. I could sense a change in his bark whine that implied that he needed to be toileted. He is mine so only I would pick up on this. Also, he was giving me a headache and I am prone to migraines so I let him out and put him between my legs. he sat down. The trainer scolded me for giving in. I did not want to make excuses and slow down class so I just said that I had had enough. A woman several chairs down from me made the comment "Excellent Training" I was so overwhelmed at this point that I could not tell if she was complimenting the trainer or patronizing me. If it was directed at me it was very rude. I did not approach her after class because the instructor asked that we all go out one by one as a courtesy to those who may have dog reactive dogs. I needed to shop so I went directly to the shopping area to get out of the way. The more I thought about her statement the angrier I became. We went home and I mentioned to my husband that I was going to say something to her before class started next week. He told me I needed to let it go.

I am always the one to say not to sweat the small stuff because it is all small stuff. Dont let others control your emotions because then they win. Be the bigger person. But it had been a bad past couple of days. I was verbally attacked at work and it ended up in a meeting with four supervisors. That morning my husband was not a nice person to me. He kept yelling at me for things that were stupid. I was screamed at for making the puppy sit and wait at the door for it to be opened and permission given to let him thru. He said we were on a schedule. I needed to work on that during the day not in the morning when we need to leave. Then we get to daycare and I start to pull the blanket over the bumper so it does not get scratched and I get yelled at for not helping. I was told to just get the puppy out. he had used a pressured voice in front of the dogs that morning and I told him if he ruined this puppy for me I would never forgive him. He needs to get his temper in check. When I got into work I sent him a long email telling him how upset I was with him. Then I had the incident at work. It was not a good day. Then Saturday I got a stomach virus and sunday was this event at class.

Sorry so long. What would you do? Besides make sure your dog nails his scents faster than her dog. LOL This was week one for us week two for her. a lot of people missed week one so he started over. The Coonhound mix and the blind albino Dane kicked ass. Kudos to them.

 

[johann]

2 hours crated in a class is a lot for a seasoned dog, never mind a 5 month old puppy! I'd let the comment go and just assume she was either being nice or is so rude that she isn't worth your time.

Can you work on crate games while the others are working on their scents? It would give your puppy something to do and help increase his comfort level in the crate as well. You should be able to google it or buy the video/book about crate games.

 

[TysonCheeto]

Awwwwww little man. Only a mom knows their babies cry. Yeah I'd say 2 hours is a long time for a puppy to be crated right beside mom! If he can see you, he's gonna want you! I'm a sensitive person by nature so I always dwell on things I should let go.

This happened to me with my oldest human daughter. When she was 2 years old I made the mistake of doing a BIG grocery shopping trip with her, during her nap time. Yeah I didn't plan it that way but time just didn't play out right that day. So needless to say she was DONE by the time I was checking out. She was tired,cranky, and ready to be out of that shopping cart. Well by the time I was paying for groceries she was into a full on cry. Sweating, tears, Snot, the whole bit. I was stressed because I knew I stretched her too thin to do that trip......well on my way out a lady who was walking in stopped me and said " you better nip that in the bud now with her. Or she's going to be out of control" I was so stressed and worked up after that whole thing I was just fighting back tears. I already felt bad I had put my baby in a terrible situation and then it was like a punch for somebody to attack my parenting skills. She is now 9 years old, and she's far from "out of control" .....but I just think people can be harsh. They don't know the story behind what they THINK they see. I hope your load lightens. I just always have to think of Christ's love for me, when I know I don't deserve it because I fall so short most days. And try and return that love to others. I'm not always the best at it but I do my best!

 

[Gatorblu]

Let it go. For all you know the lady could have been having a crappy day as well and just isn't as well mannered as you to keep some things to herself. Now you have let this woman bother you for a week. You have let her win. She doesn't deserve that. Also you need to go into class as relaxed as possible. You don't want your pup feeding off any negative energy.
Just take a deep breath and move on. You and your pup will be bettered prepared for the next class. If she makes any more snide remarks then just give her the evil eye.

on my way out a lady who was walking in stopped me and said " you better nip that in the bud now with her. Or she's going to be out of control"

You did better than me. I would have told the witch "You are right, I hate to see her grow up to be some busybody like you." Actually I was in line at a check out a few months ago where a mother was looking frazzled as her tot was having a melt down over not getting something. The mom stuck to her guns, but you can see she was trying to avoid the stares. I leaned forward and quietly told her "Good for you! Your child is going to grow up great." You could see her relax a bit and manage a small smile.

All I can say is you all have handled you situation better than I may have. My mouth can get me in trouble from time to time.

 

[furrykidmom]

I normally speak my mind immediately but I did not want to interrupt class. That would not have been respectful of the trainer or the class. I don't take crap and I don't have filters

I feel better having heard from all of you and I am going to take your advice and let it go. You all are the best support group. Thanks.

 

[Kisaq]

I'm sorry - is it just me?
I would be more angry at the trainer. What trainer thinks that flooding a young pup in a crate at a distracting event is a good idea for crate training????

I'd be looking for another nose class with a new trainer if I were you. And crate train your pup the right way - SLOWLY. Never make the crate a punishment.
"Nip that in the bud" *disgust* Not even worth a comment.
The other participants are not worthy of your time or emotion. They are not the given experts. I'd be looking for my money back from the trainer.

 

[TysonCheeto]

As a mom of three I can honestly say I've had some moments with my kids, it's SO nice to have somebody encourage you along the way! It's always the worst when you know your kids are causing scene when your trying to do the right thing!

 

[furrykidmom]

We had obedience class this evening. Apparently the trainer was so overwhelmed by the size of this class that he missed what happened. I had complained to his wife at the end of class and she was livid. I did not see this but her husband did after I left. She chewed him out for not correcting the woman for her comment. He missed it with all the noise. We are going to be split into two classes and we received a free one on one nose work class this evening to make for it.

I also explained to the trainer that he is just a puppy. The youngest in class. And that I as his owner recognized that he was done. He needed to potty. It was too long. And that I suffer from migraines and could not hear him so i was missing out as well as the people near us. I got him out as a courtesy and did not appreciate being chastised. It is my responsibility to be able to read my pups cues.

Nose work is now going to be divided into two smaller classes and he promised to separate us.

I am satisfied. We are not doing nose work for competition just for fun. We really do respect this couple and I think they will come thru for us

Thanks again so much everyone for your support and understanding. This is a special group of people.

 

[Gatorblu]

So glad everything is going to work out!

 

[EAO76]

I took a nose work class where they had us crate the dogs in the hall and then one at a time bring them into the room to work. Well Rosco HATED being crated in that hallway. He is crate trained but something about that hallway stressed him out. After the 1st few classes most of us left our dogs in the car. The parking lot was right outside and secure so it worked out well. Not sure if that would be an option for you but just thought I'd throw it out there.