Rams was great the first 40 minutes of class, until.... 'Down.' He has always been fine with it, when I have a treat in hand. This class, we've been trying to get away from the treats. You want your dog to listen because you said so, not just because you have a delicious snack in hand!
After several perfect 'downs,' I put the treats away and following my command: "Ramsey, Down!" he blankly stared me in the face. He wasn't the only one (there may have been one other in the class of about 10). The instructor then said, if they refuse, pull the front of their chain collar to the ground, the will most likely slide into a down when they realize you aren't letting go. I did as I was told, Ramsey stared me in the face and blatantly refused to slide down. The instructor then added, 'really stubborn dogs might need a push from behind, this takes care of 95%.' How embarrassing is it to be struggling full force with a 30 pound puppy!? I could NOT get him to lay down. Letting up, says 'you win,' which will only reinforce this obnoxious behavior. After a little struggle, Rams decided to grab onto my pant leg. I immediately grabbed his snout 'No!' to which he switched to his leash. As I take my routine (do not kill the dog, do not kill the dog) deep breath, the instructor turns specifically to us: "Do NOT tolerate him chewing on that leash!" In my mind I'm saying 'Tolerating? You think I tolerate this #%!@??" I may have sounded snappy, in response and simply said, "I don't tolerate this." So she replies: "So take it from him immediately!" I know I can't. He has the devil eye look, which sadly means, I just can't win. So I look to her and say: "Will you?" This may have been rude, but I was interested in seeing how to deal with this situation since it's not rare (Any time he wants attention he acts this way).
The instructor comes over and attempts to grab the leash from his mouth. The entire class is now watching this scene. I can only describe it like the puppy version of a child throwing a temper tantrum on the grocery store floor. She yanks... hard... to which he yelps and snaps at her! Mortified! My dog snapped at the obedience instructor! He has NEVER snapped.... he mouths, and sasses, but hasn't actually snapped! She yanks/corrects again, to which he rolls over into submissive position and pees himself simultaneously spraying a rainbow of pee across our corner of the room. He gets up, he has dropped the leash. She pets him nicely, tells him he's a good boy. (You're always supposed to be nice after you're mean, in order to preserve your human-dog relationship.) She then proceeds and tells him "Down." Blank stare. She goes to force him down, major struggle but finally the two of us get him on the ground. Good boy!!! Praise! We try again, major struggle. This went on several times with exhausting struggles on our part. Finally... tail tucked, he goes down. He then glances at me, closes his eyes and puts his head flat onto the ground as if to say "This is so shameful, mom."
Although the instructor was harsh, I'm glad she showed me how to deal. It sounds horrible, and even my mother (a life long dog person) was shocked at how much force as used. I reminded her that she has always owned Shelties, and as I was told when I picked Ramsey up that first day: "Springers are NOT shelties." I didn't know what that meant exactly until now.
This episode was proof that Ramsey still thinks he is higher up in pack order than me. This is NOT acceptable.
When did I lose control of this little man!?
On a cuter note: he fell asleep chewing on his bone last night.
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