I've been watching and helping a bit at club lately learning more about training, and have just been asked to cover the Bronze GC class tomorrow evening as someone is off sick. I'm going to be given a list of the dogs and owners in the class, and a list of suggested exercises, and I can print off a list of Bronze exercises too, but wanted some general advice on how to be in charge of a class. I assume it's the same as when I started grooming in not admitting I've never done it before! I'll have to make sure they can hear me as well of course, and just hope nothing dramatic happens during the class!

And don't forget to look and more importantly sound as though you are enjoying it.

Sometimes when we are a little nervous at first time things, we tend to look too serious as we are concentrating so hard which is a give away.

Go with the intention of enjoying yourself and you will, it will be great fun and you'll get to teach a thing or too as well.

1. make sure eveyone knows that you are leading the class, find out if any dogs/owners have special requirements e.g hard of hearing handlers may need to be closer to you
2. be assertive, and ensure that people take you seriously, and stay focussed on what you say
3. Make sure safety is paramount - no escape routes, be aware of any risks
4. Make sure that you give equal attention to each dog/handler during each exercise
5. Always be as positive as you can, and try not to alienate anyone by hurting their feelings say things like "you may find it more effective if you..blah blah..." rather than "you are doing it wrong"

Can't remember the author but book is called 'now take the class'
when you are standing in the middle asking yourself what am I doing here, ask yourself 'do I know more than them'...........thats why you are there!

It takes the edge off the wave of paniiiiiiiic
Chris

make sure you have their attention.  If they are not expecting you to take the class I do find people will continue to chat until you make it clear that you are in charge that night and most of all believe in yourself.

Wow, thanks everyone, that's given me some ideas to hold onto. Chris, the thing that worries me is that depending on age and how many dogs these people have, I may well NOT know more - I've only had dogs for 6 years! But yes, I will try to smile and have fun but also look like I know what I'm doing - I have my Club sweatshirt laid out ready to wear so they see me!

Also now trying to decide if it will be worse in the small hall without anyone watching, or in the big hall with (a) people watching but (b) possible rescuers! Not that I'll get the choice, I just worry!

Everything went pretty well, nothing major went wrong, just a dog weeing up the door during the door exercise, 2 terriers being too excited by each other to do proper heelwork, and one 50 second stay instead of a minute. My friend's young dog turned out to be in this class and she said I did fine. Thanks for all your help everyone!