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Alright, so I have sat on this for a week now, and I have to get it off my chest: Open class is scaring the daylights out of me!
I came very close to signing Angus up for this class. They only have it once a year, and the training director asked if I was interested, but since we haven't even gotten his CD yet I decided to pass.
I am starting to be VERY GLAD I made that decision!
The class takes place at the same time as my Level 3 with Simon, in the next ring. Last week was ear-pinching week.
There was a GSD and her owner, and the instructor was demonstrating the ear pinch. Here's how it went: The instructor was sitting on a chair behind the dog, the owner was sitting on a chair in front of the dog. The instructor was pinching the ears, and the owner was forcing the dumbell in the dog's mouth. Meanwhile, the dog was screaming like they were killing it. SCREAMING. Not whining, not whimpering, not yelping. Screaming. It was freaking horrifying. It was the same sound Simon made when Angus' jaw was caught on his collar.
The worst part: The instructor who was doing the pinching had this look on her face I will never forget. Remember, the dog is screaming and cringing and squirming, trying to get away. The instructor has this look of sheer determination. Her jaw is set, her eyes are cold, and she shows no emotion whatsoever.
I will never forget this if I live to be a hundred. Never. Seriously, I had trouble going to sleep that night. It was extremely disturbing.
A sidenote: This was the same instructor from a post I made a few months ago who was yelling at her dog at a Show n Go. Her sweet senior dog who, to me, just looked confused. She is also the only instructor I have ever gotten into it with at the club. She taught Angus' first Level 3 class. Couldn't stand her. But I digress.
So, last night was hit the dog on the head night.
They were practicing DOR's and to get the dog to do it quickly, they were hitting them on the head with bean bags. ??? Not as bad as the ear pinching, but still. I don't really want to hit my dog on the head either.
Somebody please tell me there are other ways to teach this stuff?
I came very close to signing Angus up for this class. They only have it once a year, and the training director asked if I was interested, but since we haven't even gotten his CD yet I decided to pass.
I am starting to be VERY GLAD I made that decision!
The class takes place at the same time as my Level 3 with Simon, in the next ring. Last week was ear-pinching week.
The worst part: The instructor who was doing the pinching had this look on her face I will never forget. Remember, the dog is screaming and cringing and squirming, trying to get away. The instructor has this look of sheer determination. Her jaw is set, her eyes are cold, and she shows no emotion whatsoever.
I will never forget this if I live to be a hundred. Never. Seriously, I had trouble going to sleep that night. It was extremely disturbing.
A sidenote: This was the same instructor from a post I made a few months ago who was yelling at her dog at a Show n Go. Her sweet senior dog who, to me, just looked confused. She is also the only instructor I have ever gotten into it with at the club. She taught Angus' first Level 3 class. Couldn't stand her. But I digress.
So, last night was hit the dog on the head night.
Somebody please tell me there are other ways to teach this stuff?