Hi mydogau

You wouldn't have mentioned "pitbull" in any speculation you might have had about Asher's ancestry? I suggest you never ever mention "pitbull" in connection with your dog in any public face to face place. Just so you avoid any issues with BSL (stupid law but you don't want to have to deal with all the conditions associated). If anyone else does, just say maybe a bit of Staffordshire - some of them come in brindle.

Like the others have said, the trainer's "temperment test" was idiotic and she's going to get her face bitten if she keeps doing it and it will probably be a tiny terrier with small dog syndrome that does it.

Do keep up the good work obedience wise. And if you can find a dog obedience club - that would be a fantastic way to keep things going. Ours even lets dogs that are a bit dog aggressive train, they just do all the moves at a safe distance to the rest of the class.

While the truth can often hurt, it makes me feel so much better, reading all your comments. I never ever doubted my dog but did let those two ppl at the training get me down. Thank you very much for your supportive words. I like the point you make that your dogs stand their ground but have no pitbull in them. I did question the trainer if pitties were the only breed that did that. She said no, but didn't comment any further. So it seems she may very well be quite far from the truth. Asher is registered as a staffy x, and that is all I tell ppl if they ask. I couldn't care less if he did have pittie in him. His picture on that website threw itself at me, telling me that we were to be his family. Now I'm starting to ramble...lol.....time to head to work.

__________________
RIP Tigga

What a stupid thing the trainer did.

Dogs that get aggressive or excited over other dogs get turned out and away from the object of their aggression/excitement. No spoken words from anyone as we do not want to "back" the dog.

If today wasn't the last day of training I think it would have been the last for Asher. It wasn't his fault. I attempted walking past the dogs just like we have been doing successfully. Today he pulled so hard towards a dog, I caught my finger in the lead and broke it (my finger that is, not the lead)...lol. I have actually done some serious damage, rupturing a tendon as well. He got to the other dog and barrelled him to the ground. He never bit him but his growl sounded very bad. The other dog's owner was amazingly calm. I could not stop apologising. When I realised my finger was damaged I suddenly felt faint, near passing out. So I quietly stepped away, put Asher in the car and sat in there for a while. Then I got back out there with Asher, keeping a healthy distance from the group and sobbed my heart out. Nobody noticed anything which is how I wanted it.

Tonight's lesson was putting Asher on a long lead and getting him to come when called, which he did exceptional. When Leanne clipped her long lead on him, he was happy, tail wagging but then Leanne decided to growl at him (twice at separate times she did it tonight). asher jumped at her, growling, as if he would bite her. I pulled him back and he near licked me to death. But Leanne kept hold of him while I walked away. He was fine with that. While she didn't growl, he didn't. He came straight to me when I called him. Leanne told me she wouldn't own that dog and said he is dangerous. I questioned her actions, not mentioning that I was given the advice, that perhaps he growls back at her because she isn't his owner. She said that doesn't matter and that he should never be allowed to be boss over anyone.

While at the hospital I told my story to a couple of nurses. One of them happen to be an experienced dog trainer (although he doesn't do it for a living). He said what you ppl have said that she should never growl at a dog is absolute true. He said to establish dominance over a dog you make them drop and you keep them there and not to move until you tell them they can.

I was so upset at tonights effort I said I would forget anymore professional training and just continue myself. But part of me is saying not to quit. Perhaps I should muzzle him so he can't bite. I will talk to the guy doing the new obedience course I have enquired about. I enjoy the time with asher and really want to keep up training. I will never get rid of him. I just need to get over my ordeal before deciding whether to go to the next obedience classes or just let asher be our sook and keep him home. Sorry I am thinking out loud now. My whole arm hurts just from a tiny break in my finger so need to let it all go. At least Leanne will have a good story to talk about, anyway.

__________________
RIP Tigga

I am sooo sorry to hear this...it truly was a SH!T day!

Remember...there are people who DO understand you and your dog...not some silly twit who thinks she knows it all.

Take a deep breath...love your dog...respect him and accept him for what he is...and move on

__________________

oh no! You poor thing! I'm so sorry about your finger

I really think you should keep up with the training (somewhere new, of course). Give yourself a few weeks to recouperate (sp?), of course, though!

Where abouts are you based again?

__________________

I am so sorry to hear that you hurt yourself at training, both physically, mentally and emotionally. Take a deep breath, give yourself a few days to get over the whole sorry saga, and then rethink.

Asher needs the training, and the socialisation, but it is up to you to find a trainer that understands what Asher needs, and who can guide you through it. I think it's a bit harder for you as you're more in a coastal town so there's less options?

That Leanne is a dork - she is going to end up getting badly hurt if she continues to do what she did to Asher.

Sending you lots of soothing and healing vibes...

__________________

I agree she is a dork and I am so very sorry you are injured. Why not google around, find training ways you like and just do it yourself?

__________________

The Lord is our shepherd and cancer is our bitch.

Jeez, I agree with grey's. This woman is a dork, moron, idiot!

TBH with you MyDog, if she had done that to any my GSD's, I believe they would have taken her. I would NOT expect my dog to back down EVER if someone did that to them. I find her behaviour utterly disgusting.

What worries me is that this idiot is in control of teaching dogs and ppl. I then go on to think of all the damage that could be caused in society from ppl who have gone throug hher training regime.

Wow, that's scary.

I'm so sorry bout your finger. What a crappy mess this has been for you. Find another trainer, or another place to take Asher. be honest upfront, and explain what has happened, how you have felt. Hopefully you'll find a training establishment that actually cares about you and Asher. Good luck. Hugs to you.

OMG I am so sorry to hear about this, what a B!TCH!!! That woman has no place calling herself a trainer!
I applaud you for going back to the class, that was the exact right thing to do, you have done your part in telling him that the training is an ok thing. I know it is hard now but he does need you to work with him, he has serious fear issues, cause by that idiot, but he needs to learn that the world, other dogs, and other people are not out to get him, when he knows this you will have a well rounded dog. I will go through my material here and see what I can send you to help, give me a few days.
Take a bit of time, let your finger heal, and then get back on that horse, there are enough people here I am sure we can get you both through this

__________________