6.5 mo old Blk Std Poodle

Question
I have a 6.5 month blk female STD poodle (spayed) who did great in puppy
class.  She is now in intermediate class and will not do most things she's
learned in class. When on a walk she heels great and behaves. Her tail is up
and is happy, but at class or practice at home if it seems like we are doing
training she tucks her tail and runs to her bed. When she first showed this
behavior I used only hand signals and that worked for ~ a couple weeks, but
now she tucks her tail at signals too. Her instructor can't figure it out, she
can't get her to do anything either. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Toni


Answer
If the trainer, who has seen the behavior, can't figure it out, it will be tough for me.  The only thing I can think of it the trainer is using too harsh of methods.  Although learning to be top dog should be the objective of any obedience class, top dogs are more like strict, but loving parents, not drill sargents.  Most trainers are using more positive methods now.  Try some of these books:

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