Puppy classes or Ringcraft classes?

[dozzie]

Which is the best option? I think i may try to show Emma but not sure yet. But she needs to meet other dogs.

When i took Hooch to puppy classes it was great in that she met other pups and had a lovely time but it did nothing for her training as she was completely uncontrollable at the classes. She was great away from the class but at the class all went to pot tbh. She just pulled me over. At home she walked to heel and came to call so i stopped going as I felt it was reinforcing bad behaviour. She also was not ruled by her belly unlike Emma.

Trojan didnt go as he had serious growth rate problems but i think he would have benefitted had he been able to go. He has a problem with people rather than dogs.

So what to do with Emma. I dont want a mastiff that is out of control but do want a dog that is happy to meet other dogs. She was a bit worried at the vets the other week when another dog walked in. Nothing major but worth nipping in the bud I think,

Havent done anything yet as mastiffs need time to mature but i think she is ready for a gentle class. Just dont want the hoolying!

So would it be best to go for ringcraft or puppy classes? I could skip the puppy play time bit!
Bearing in mind what classes are available in the area the ringcraft would possibly be the easiest. Just not sure what to expect tbh.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I would go for puppy classes preferably, more chance to interact with other youngsters, but if ringcraft is your only option its better than nothing. Depending on the class the dogs might not mix much but at least it will get her used to being with others. At ringcraft she will have to get used to a "judge" going over her, looking at her teeth etc so would certainly get her used to people. Then it would just be a case of learning to stand, and how to move up and down and in a triangle.

 

[galaxy]

Do both! I do.

He did obediance from the start. (maybe find a diff class if you didn't get on with the one you went to? Would recommend the one I go to... It's near Eastleigh). Started Ringcraft at 5.5 months... Wish I'd started earlier as really struggled at the beginning... He's kinda getting it now.

Just tell your obediance trainer that you don't want to teach too much "sitting" as if you want to show it will come back and bite you!

 

[MurphysMinder]

When I used to do obedience and breed showing I just made sure they were taught the stand command as well as the sit. Equally, they learned the difference between walking to heel on a slip link collar, and gaiting ahead for the show ring on a dead link. To further confuse things when I started doing agility the poor dogs also had to learn a different command for going on my right side instead of my left.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I would say puppy classes then ringcraft - agree it is easy to teach the dog to walk in different ways, heel is heel, up-up is out in front on a long line/dead link (you won't need to do that ) and FREEE! which is go wherever the hell you want, you've been so good to heel

 

[dozzie]

Do both! I do.

He did obediance from the start. (maybe find a diff class if you didn't get on with the one you went to? Would recommend the one I go to... It's near Eastleigh). Started Ringcraft at 5.5 months... Wish I'd started earlier as really struggled at the beginning... He's kinda getting it now.

Just tell your obediance trainer that you don't want to teach too much "sitting" as if you want to show it will come back and bite you!

Eastleigh is too far tbh. We are on the hampshire/berkshire border.Near Newbury. It is actually quite hard to find anything!

 

[galaxy]

ah yes, little far!

Saying that there's a lady that comes to our Ringcraft from Basingstoke!!

 

[dozzie]

I would say puppy classes then ringcraft - agree it is easy to teach the dog to walk in different ways, heel is heel, up-up is out in front on a long line/dead link (you won't need to do that ) and FREEE! which is go wherever the hell you want, you've been so good to heel

LOL! It is not easy to teach a Mastiff anything! They do their own thing and you go along with it. So "go wherever the hell you want is not a good thing!" Cos they do and they take you with them! Tis a Mastiff thing!

Thumping with the paw and mugging the owner when needing feeding seems to be genetic!

 

[soloabe]

Galaxy PM me who it is. I use to live near eastleigh!

 

[CAYLA]

I have nothing to add except........any more piccies please

 

[dozzie]

I cant take a picture with a chewed up camera.