From: mike@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu (Michael George Buening)
Subject: Re: Obedience Classes was Motivational Methods
Organization: University of Notre Dame
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 14:04:56 GMT

In article <15866@mindlink.bc.ca> Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca (Valaria Vorlop) writes:
>> Dale Cook writes:
>> I must add here that many people come to classes for an hour a week,
>> obviously *never* work with the dog between classes, and wonder why
>> Fifi isn't progressing.
>>
>> Charlie's point is well taken that often as not, much, if not all, of
>> the blame lies with the student.
>
>I dunno...from the amount of times I have heard obedience classes recommended
>here on the net, SOME classes SOMEWHERE are very good. Let me tell you about
>the three classes I have joined or observed in my area.
>
>The formula seems to be: rent a gym, put an ad in the comunity course
>calendar, charge a fee of $15 for 10 weeks, register about 60 people per
>class, watch 80% drop out due to frustration 'cos they can't possibly learn
>anything in a class that large, train the remaining few, go home and laugh
>and count all the money!
>
[Obedience horror story omitted]
>
>The thing is though, sure, most of those people probably didn't practice
>during the week, but neither did they go home with the skills they NEEDED to
>be able to practice. Not only that, most of those people were not there
>because they wanted to show their dogs, but because they needed HELP with
>serious problems and they never did get any sort of help, even though the
>instructor was always mobbed with questions at the end of each class.
>
>When anybody asks me about classes I always say, don't waste your money, I'LL
>help you with your dog.
>
I was unaware (fortunately?) of group classes in my area when my wife and I 
decided that we needed help with our lovable but out-of-control dog.  I simply
looked in the phone book at the local kennels that advertised that they trained
dogs.  Most were private lessons and some where small groups.  Most, however,
would not train except in the warm months.  I have no idea why (I never asked
them) but since it was December and I was desperate, we took the one who trained
year round.  We paid $125 for 8 weeks with just me, my wife, Beamer and at least
one and sometimes both trainers.  This may sound very expensive compared to the
$10 or $15 dollars which is appearantly the norm for public classes, but I now
believe it was worth every penny.  Although the agreement was for 8 1hour 
classes, we often spent 2 to 2.5 hours a week when there seemed to be problems.
They not only taught me how to train my dog but how to know my dog and how to 
understand his behavior.  It was a total learning experience.  They pointed me
to some books to read during week and I called them each and every time I came
accross something during the week that I didn't understand or couldn't handle.
They were great.  Perhaps I was just extremely lucky.  They do tend to special-
ize in problem dogs and they new exactly what we were going through with the 
alpha cocker from hell.  Now we have much fewer problems with Beamer and we are 
equipped to deal with those that are still there.  Life is great and Beamer 
seems happier as well.  I have no experience with large group classes and I 
doubt I ever will but not all classes are bad you just have to remember you 
get what you pay for.

				--Michael Buening
				internet:mike@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu

P.S. In case you care to ever talk to me via email you should take notice that
my address changed ever so slightly from mikeb@nowaksg to mike@nowaksg.



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