Training Update

Um so here we are. We have literally 1 session left in the 18 week series that I purchased. I feel like Brook has made very little progress. If anything, she has regressed. Or maybe I am not giving her enough credit.

I purchased two 1 on 1 sessions that were on sale. We will have our first session this week prior to the normal class.

In reflecting on the training, I feel like the class size was slightly too big for Brook. I have learned that she is more nervous/anxious than I wanted to admit. Even looking back on all the times we had gone to the dog park, she was more excited to greet people than dogs. And she interacted hesitantly with the dogs and occasionally find a dog to play with. She was great with recall and would check in with me frequently. I was happy with this behavior but I didn't recognize a very important part- her hesitancy- as possible anxiousness.  So the big break we had in visiting the dog park and then the large class sizes have compounded into a more serious anxious problem around other dogs.

I was frustrated during many sessions. I didn't understand why Brook would not interact with me or follow direction. At times, she would take direction from the trainer and that would only frustrate me more because it made me feel like there was something wrong with me for her to not want to listen to me.

I have bought a Thunder Shirt that was on sale at the local pet store. I saved $10 which I am happy about.

I want to continue training but I want to find a class that is smaller.