German Shepherd whining during training class only

Question
I have an 8 month old german shepherd who is extremely well behaved at home and just finished "intermediate" class at obedience school.  I work with her daily on our commands and she performs perfectly for me at home/park, etc.  My problem is that as soon as we step foot into the class, she becomes another dog...she whines excessively while she is performing during class.  We were told to squirt lemon juice then lime juice then alum powder into her mouth if the first ones don't work on her.  We tried all of the above to no avail!  Now I am being told that I am not hard enough on her and I should "bop her on the head or side of the cheek when she whines."  I have a real problem with this and I am desperate for help!  I was hoping to use her in agility and other types of training, but I can't see this happening unless we get the whining under control at class.  Does anyone have other suggestions??

Answer
It doesn't sound like your instructor is part of the current trend toward more positive methods.  Have you tried holding your hand up in front of her face and saying ''Quiet'' in a firm voice?  I was taught to do that with the one Shepherd I had, and it worked fairly well.  Shepherds do tend to be more vocal than Labs.  

Once you finish the current class, I would try to find another program for more advanced work and agility.  Perhaps ev3en drop out.  You might try some books.  Look over this list and try some of them.

Here is a list put together by the professionals at a dog guide school for those caring for their dogs.

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991

Through Otis' Eyes-Lessons from a Guide Dog Puppy, by Patricia Berlin Kennedy and Robert Christie, 1998

Puppy Primer, by Brenda K Skidmore and Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Beginning Family Dog Training, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Planet of the Blind-A Memoir, by Steven Kuusisto, 1998

The Other end of the Leash, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.

Here are some gentle ways of letting her know you are top dog and she doesn't need to be whining.  

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.