Puppy classes & clients update
LONG POST!!!
Okay so here is the update on how I’m doing as a baby dog trainer.
I currently have 3 small groups of classes and one client for one on one work.
Two group classes (puppy with 5 clients and teen with 4) started around the 20th of May and one class (puppy with 4 clients) started last week. Two weeks ago I also took over the client with a reactive sheltie who’s been working with my boss on and off for about a year. I’ve also been helping with another client with a reactive mixed breed pup who just had the last session of the 5 week training plan last week, and will probably work with them again in about a month or two.
Individual clients
The individual clients are both really nice to work with. They put in a lot of effort to understand their dogs and be consistent and they’re making very good progress. And mostly it’s been pretty easy working with both the sheltie and the mix, bc my boss was still helping and making plans of what to do etc. It’s a bit of a challenge organizing the training plan and locations on my own now, but so far it’s going well and I absolutely love one on one work! I just have to set a lot of reminders bc I’m still a bit forgetful.
Puppy/teen dog classes
A lot more exhausting than individual work, bc even though there are maximum of 5 people, you have to manage to make sure everyone hears you, everyone understands, and everyone knows why and what they’re doing. All in all, I really like it, but it really depends on the attitudes of people in the class. The newest puppy group I have is SO nice to work with it and it makes me so happy I wanna cry but then there are three clients in the other groups that make it a little more challenging.
Teen dog class
So the first time I had group classes I had teen dogs first and then puppies right after. My boss was there with me, but she was just there to watch and help with an exercise or two. It was a bit overwhelming and I had a bit of trouble organizing everything but, objectively, it went well and I think the clients understood what to do and had a nice time. Owners of one dog were a bit stubborn/weren’t listening closely, but nothing too dramatic, and they’ve been doing fine in our other sessions.
Puppy class #1
So before the puppy class started, my boss just quickly told me how I can set up the whole hour so it’ll be easier to handle, and I basically just did that and it worked much better. So organization-wise, puppy class went very well, and for the most part the clients were eager to listen and followed instructions well. One of the puppy owners here was also pretty stubborn or not getting what I was saying, but they tried after some encouragement and seemed to get into it more. But there’s also another client that was pretty much horrible that first time. They have an almost 6 month old Dalmatian and they’re extremely impatient and rough with her. Even though I repeatedly told the class the dogs don’t have to wait in a sit and they should be left to sniff and play druging breaks, they insisted on making their pup sit, and whenever they walked basically anywhere, they had her on such a short leash, the poor baby was choking all the time. On a thin flat collar.
I kept encouraging them to let her relax and keep the leash looser, but they were just getting frustrated bc the puppy wasn’t listening to all of their cues. At some point, when I was giving the whole class instructions, they were (again) trying to make the puppy sit, while on a super short leash, and the puppy wouldn’t sit so they STOMPED ON HER TOES and the puppy SCREAMED. What the H E L L. I was more or less so shocked, I didn’t say anything but “um... okay?” and once again told them about 10 times they should take lots of breaks inbetween repetitions etc. and that we’ll work on llw and it’s absolutely doable for every single living dog, but not much stuck that day.
That first day I still ended up with a horrible headache and was seriously discouraged by seeing someone treat a wonderful, lively puppy so badly, but they’re here to learn so I’m trying to show them they’ll accomplish more with structure and kindness than frustration and punishment.
They were less frustrated the next week, but still much rougher and more easily annoyed than the rest of the clients. But baby steps, I guess. We’ll se how it goes tomorrow.
Ok on the bright side, there’s a 10-11 y/o girl with a Boston Terrier in that group and she works with her so well and they have such a nice bond. Honestly gives me so much hope and it’s just cute as hell. (also I’m not a fan of kids so you know they have to be special hehe)
Puppy class #2
The newest puppy group that just started last week is full of really eager owners and we had a great time last week!
Some of them apparently talked to my boss and said they really liked the first session and they said they liked me as their trainer too!! So I’m really looking forward to work with them in the future, obviously heheh.
Despite the few stubborn clients, all the classes are still very rewarding, bc most people work with their pups really nicely and are really interested in what we’re doing. And for the stubborn, frustrated ones, I’m always thinking of ways to show them that consistent work and being patient pays off BIG TIME. I do a lot of demonstrations with dogs of those clients in hopes of them seeing that their dogs can do really well if you try just a little. I’m trying to emphasize how important it is to build a good relationship with your dog and that it’s important your dog sees you as trustworthy and fun.
So yeah, I’m reaaaaally happy I'm able to work as a dog trainer, I have a lot to learn still, but I think I also have a lot to offer already, and I really hope the clients will make the best of it for themselves. It’s so rewarding to see someone having fun with their pup and seeing how proud they are when they get something right, like... it melts my heart, I love it.
