[Opus]

Winston has never had any training classes. Not for lack of trying. There is only one 'group' here that has training classes. When I called to put him some puppy classes, they wouldn't take him until he was 6 months old. So fine, I asked if we could sign up now for the first class in January. Sure, they let me give all the info on the phone and then they said they'd call when they have a class.
I was a bit reluctant about them anyway, because she did condemn me because I have a beagle and a beagle can't learn anything (HAH!)
So I learn tonight that classes have been running since last week. So I called them and they said, oh, we had so many inquiries that we couldn't take them all so we cut out the certain breeds because it would have been a waste of our time
I AM FUMING NOW!
So tomorrow I bite the bullet and consider paying twice as much for private lessons from Petsmart. That's probably the only way I can take them there because we are over an hour away so 8 weeks of classes is kind of risky with road conditions this time of year and I have to make sure someone can come with me because Winston is still a bit skittish in the van. But on the other hand it's probably worth it rather than going with the not-so-educated canine association.
So glad I have beagle world to vent!

 

[JoJo's Mum]

What the hell? Beagle's are great to chain! They are so smart. This person you spoke to must be a moron!

 

[Beagle Eyes]

Gee that's a bit rude!!

 

[beagletails]

I would not want to go with anyone that did not believe in me or my dog. I can sure understand your frustration. Any chance that you have a breed club near you? I wonder if they wouldn't have some classes to offer.

 

[Smeagle]

Don't worry about it - in fact I would consider yourself lucky. They must be awful and very inexperienced trainers to write a dog off just because of it's breed!

At my obedience club, our club president has two champion titled obedience and agility beagles

Beagles are highly trainable, the trainers in the class you approached obviously have had no success training anything other than typical obedience breeds (if that!)

 

[angelaH]

Flipping cheek!! But maybe its just as well, saved you going to a useless group. Good luck with petsmart.

 

[jassy]

I think the general perception is that beagles can't be trained. People in our obedience classes were impressed with how well Maggie did. They were especially impressed when she learned the leave it trick with a piece of food between her paws. You can only change perceptions by example so get Winston well trained and let him be a beagle ambassador whenever you go out in public.

 

[spridell]

I think Jassy is right. People think Beagles can't be trained which is SO NOT true.

I had Buddy for 3 weeks and within those 3 weeks he learned, sit, stay, come, paw, and down very quickly.

Now we are working on roll over and in 3 days he rolls over halfway. Just working on the full roll now.

Of course you need some tasty treats for the training to go smoothly.

 

[RosCole]

That is just downright wrong, they obviously don't know what they are talking about. You are better off!

I can't tell you how many times my two beagles amaze me. They are super smart and at times cunning and manipulative...LOL

 

[theregalbeagle]

You are better off that they did not contact you. I wouldn't want my baby in an environment like that - and frankly, they sound inexperienced.

We've been doing basic obedience with Regal since we got him at 11 (or so weeks). Before he even started class he knew sit, down, stay (for short period!), leave it and a couple tricks. We started him in class when he was 6 months. When we finally got to down/stays in class, our trainer was impressed at how good he was. The trickier ones for him were heeling and come when called. We concentrated on those (and continue to do so) but overall he has been easy to train. During the last class he was able to do a little agility course and he was one of the few to fly through it with no hesitation. What he won't do for a hot dog.

You will find a place that is a much better environment.

 

[Brien]

It's ridiculous you can't enroll him into a puppy training class until he's 6 months old. We had Bodie enrolled in a puppy training class when he was 8 weeks old. I feel that early start was a huge advantage in his ongoing training.

 

[Murphys Dad]

I think it's a blessing in disguise. Any trainer who is willing to discount a dog solely based on their breed isn't worth your time and money. I'm sorry that you had to wait until Winston is 6 months old to start training too. We started classes with Jersey when she was about 10 weeks old, just after she got her last round of puppy shots. We did the Petsmart classes and I was really happy with them. Jersey, Mike and I all learned a lot. It was a very positive experience. I'd like to take a video of Jersey and all the things she can do and send it to that trainer who thinks Beagles are un-trainable.

 

[Sephly]

i have a friend who works as a dog trainer at petsmart and her last puppy class set her best student was a tiny female beagle puppy! I think it might depend on just the staff I can't believe someone that ignorant works at your petsmart, i'd file a complaint both with the manegement and with corporate petsmart for not calling u based on the dog breed you own.

 

[vkschoch]

Ugh, can't believe that! I can see why you're frustrated!! Squeegee is 6 months old and started obedience classes this month. In my opinion, he is one of the best in the class!! I agree that the organization you contacted must not be experienced b/c I have found that Squeegee does awesome and is totally focused if I just bring treats that he likes

 

[liljazz]

Very frustrating I'd be pretty cross too.. If they're such experts why have they got it SO wrong??

Our pup has the commands of sit, fetch & paw since 11 weeks old!! And she's starting to pick up the beg command although she finds this one a bit confusing!!! She just bounces on her back legs trying to grab her treat!!

 

[Opus]

Thanks so much for all your support! I know Winston can learn well. He knew sit at 8 weeks and does that very very well. He also picked up fetch and catch and he's working hard on 'stay'. I am really having a hard time with 'drop it', 'leave it', 'lie down' and 'come' We sometimes call him 'ADD dog' because he easily gets distracted when he knows there is a treat in your pocket.
I am also having a hard time with basic manners, like putting his nose on the table when we are eating (cute, but a nusience) and nipping at me.
I am open to any and all suggestions until I can find a decent training class!

 

[liljazz]

I hear everything you're saying!!

Yup thought we had the cleverest pup in the planet when we mastered all those tricks but stay is a big problem especially when she knows a treat is coming.
Drop it depends on her mood, if she's in the middle of funny hour as we call it, forget it she will hold onto it for dear life.

Come is quite good she understands that pretty well but if she's off the lead in a field and gets a scent or wants to follow somebody else on their walk, the only way to get her to come to me is to turn around and walk the other way, if she thinks I'm leaving her she comes flying back.

We need to progress on from our basics too so I'll be interested to hear everyone elses advice on how's best to move on.

Kelly & Jazz

 

[Smeagle]

Originally Posted By: Winston's MomThanks so much for all your support! I know Winston can learn well. He knew sit at 8 weeks and does that very very well. He also picked up fetch and catch and he's working hard on 'stay'. I am really having a hard time with 'drop it', 'leave it', 'lie down' and 'come' We sometimes call him 'ADD dog' because he easily gets distracted when he knows there is a treat in your pocket.

I would start by using shorter commands - instead of drop it I use give, and instead of lie down I say down. It sounds a bit pedantic, but dogs catch on to commands a lot faster if they are short and a single syllable.

What problems are you having with the commands? Recall (coming when called) is something that takes a lot of practice and you need to start by teaching him the 'come' command in a very low distraction setting.

I also only ever use very high value treats for training - instead of dried treats like liver I use smelly, wet treats like sausage or chicken. I only ever give the dogs these special treats at training time so they are especially high value.

 

[Opus]

I also only ever use very high value treats for training - instead of dried treats like liver I use smelly, wet treats like sausage or chicken. I only ever give the dogs these special treats at training time so they are especially high value. [/quote]

I use a dried treat bought at a pet food store. That's the problem. The more desirable the treat, the harder it is to get him to focus. His nose leads him right to the pocket they are in.
The other problem is to actually get him to do a command. Like lie down, one of my books say to have him follow the treat (riiiight) or to physically place him in position, (like that's gonna happen).

 

[Smeagle]

Originally Posted By: Winston's Mom

I use a dried treat bought at a pet food store. That's the problem. The more desirable the treat, the harder it is to get him to focus. His nose leads him right to the pocket they are in.
The other problem is to actually get him to do a command. Like lie down, one of my books say to have him follow the treat (riiiight) or to physically place him in position, (like that's gonna happen).

Softer treats are good in training because it is easier for the dog to eat them, as opposed to dried treats which takes the dog longer to crunch.

The fact that he is really excitable is good - it means he is in food drive and has a lot of potential to work with. Getting his focus in training is something that you need to try to do in short increments. Hold the treats in your hand and have nothing in your pocket. If all the treats are in your hand, he is going to follow that instead - making it easier to lure him into position.

With sit, move the treats above his head till his bum hits the floor. With down, once he is in the sit position, use your hand with a treat in it to lure him - start at his nose and slowly bring your hand down to the floor. As soon as he hits the floor give him the treat and lots of praise