[fogebotom]

I had the same thing happen at a puppy class that I was not teaching and I picked up my dog and left right after the off leash incident. To this day the particular dog has issues when another dog gets in her face or rushes her. In a first class especially I never let dogs off leash just because that can happen. All introductions and socializing is done on lead so that it can be controlled and I then can really get a feel for how each dog reacts as well as how the handlers deal with their own dog.

Clicker--good way to teach but again, I am concerned that the class is moving too quickly and not really following the correct procedure for training the behavior. I never in the first session of clickers ask the dog for anything. First off the dog has to be reliable to understand the bridging between the click and the reward. Otherwise, it can fail horribly. Also the as the handler you need to be comfortable with the clicker and the way to use it before you ask your dog for anything. Took me a week to perfect the timing before I asked the dog for something.

I will be honest--I would look elsewhere for another class. At this point your poor puppy has had a traumtic experience and it will be a long term project to reverse the effects of it. Ask for your money back and find a private trainer or ask to sit through a few classes with another trainer. All my perspective puppy owners are required to find a good trainer in advance of getting a puppy from me. I ask about the techniques used and if they have ever taken another dog through those classes. Yes my dogs are tired after classes but they are still happy when leaving and can't wait till the next week when the obedience bag comes out along with the leash-they know it's a fun time.

Cindy and the crew at Foggy Bottom