Classes

It’s past time to register for Casper’s next class and I can’t decide what to do.  The trainer suggests “Manners” as the next step after Beginners.  There are two Manner’s classes starting the week after our last Beginner class.  Manners classes are a mix between dogs from the beginner class and dogs form the puppy class.  Some will be only 18 weeks old. 

The Saturday class will probably full.  She described the 4 dogs currently registered (max is 6) and at least one will probably bark the whole class.  The Monday class currently only has 1 dog registered…but the owner is an idiot (my phrasing, not the trainer’s) and the dog will be out of control.  So which is worse, a barking dog or one who won’t listen? 

In addition, there are times in each class when we have to do things with the others watching.  In a class of Just Casper and one other dog, that’s not a big deal…but the Saturday class will have more people.  Will it be enough to throw my public speaking’ anxiety into effect if we have to do something in front of the group?  I don’t know.  Hopefully not but it’s a worry. 

She recommends Manners, probably for a good reason, but she won’t force me to take it.  I want to take either “Loose Leash Walking” which is a 5-week course focused on his weakest area or something fun like Rally, Tracking, or Agility.  I want a small class.  I want everyone to have their dogs quiet and under control.  I have to accept that I can’t control what they do, only what I do.  Except that if what they do infringes upon me, then they can force me into choices I don’t want to have to make.  So I wait and consider until that waiting becomes a choice in itself.