Well that's the way it is. There are a lot of posts on here about exactly this. It isn't restricted to agility or any other place, it is about the bigger versus the smaller dogs. Small dogs often have owners who allow bad behavior. People who have both sizes are more diligent. But your instructor is right - get used to it.
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Just my two cents, but I'd find a new instructor and one who does not tolerate bad behavior. Not all dogs are perfect 
However, serious behavior issues such as growling and aggression should be addressed. Maybe the owner can crate her dog in between runs and only have her dog out when her dog runs, etc.
I've never been in a class when that has been tolerated. yes, it has happened and owner and instructor immediately put together a plan of action to prevent it from happening again.
When I'm at my limit and a dog is growling, I sometimes passive aggressively say to my dog - DON'T GROWL BACK I don't care what THAT dog is doing! Typically it is easier to move if I can. And I won't hesitate at this point (after 8 years in the sport) to tell someone if their dog is eyeballing mine or growling.
You might also consider looking at an instructor who provides foundation work rather than a class just to get on equipment. The equipment really is the easy part and sounds like your Dobe is doing great! BUT the hard part is where many instructors fail. And that is how to get from one obstacle to the next.
When I start my dogs, it is literally MONTHS before we get ON any specific agility equipment.
However, serious behavior issues such as growling and aggression should be addressed. Maybe the owner can crate her dog in between runs and only have her dog out when her dog runs, etc. I've never been in a class when that has been tolerated. yes, it has happened and owner and instructor immediately put together a plan of action to prevent it from happening again.
When I'm at my limit and a dog is growling, I sometimes passive aggressively say to my dog - DON'T GROWL BACK I don't care what THAT dog is doing! Typically it is easier to move if I can. And I won't hesitate at this point (after 8 years in the sport) to tell someone if their dog is eyeballing mine or growling.
You might also consider looking at an instructor who provides foundation work rather than a class just to get on equipment. The equipment really is the easy part
and sounds like your Dobe is doing great! BUT the hard part is where many instructors fail. And that is how to get from one obstacle to the next. When I start my dogs, it is literally MONTHS before we get ON any specific agility equipment.
My experience is that if there are 2 dogs (V is usually not involved ) that are not working well at the same time - there is some controlled unleash work done. In the instance of the Belgium Malinois who truely believed tha the Boston - Dolly - needed to be dinner - they worked on separate schedule, ie one was crated while the other worked until the Belgium decided that Dolly was no longer food
All dogs are crated if they are not working - no matter what. Although there are multiple dogs in class. . . if your dog doesn't have the ob skills to participate without causing chaos -they (the dog & owner) are required to take the control unleased class offered by the club. Vader went through their control unleashed class a few times. He now has a solid recall - we often still play the look at that game. I learned some wonderful things in that class.
Vader was not thrilled with the new aussie in class last night. He had a run in with an aussie a few months back (long story - so he's not a fan of the breed) He totally shut down and was not interested in the teeter. So we played look at that and did a bunch of sits, stands and downs so that he was able to work while the dog was in his area.
) that are not working well at the same time - there is some controlled unleash work done. In the instance of the Belgium Malinois who truely believed tha the Boston - Dolly - needed to be dinner - they worked on separate schedule, ie one was crated while the other worked until the Belgium decided that Dolly was no longer food All dogs are crated if they are not working - no matter what. Although there are multiple dogs in class. . . if your dog doesn't have the ob skills to participate without causing chaos -they (the dog & owner) are required to take the control unleased class offered by the club. Vader went through their control unleashed class a few times. He now has a solid recall - we often still play the look at that game. I learned some wonderful things in that class.
Vader was not thrilled with the new aussie in class last night. He had a run in with an aussie a few months back (long story - so he's not a fan of the breed) He totally shut down and was not interested in the teeter. So we played look at that and did a bunch of sits, stands and downs so that he was able to work while the dog was in his area.
I run into those type situations everywhere not just agility. Usually loose small dogs running barking/growling at us. But if my dog was doing that believe me Animal Control would be at my house saying I had a vicious dog. The larger dogs may be loose and coming toward us but normally not barking/growling.
A lady at class is always driving me crazy trying to let her male shepherd and kyrah greet on leash. I tell her no all the time. A week or so ago she tells me "oh, you just dont want anyone to think you have a bad dog if something should happen." And I told her "no, I would just prefer to be safe and know that nothing will happen." I prefer to keep her next to me in all outings. She is not free to roam. This is not a time for play except for with me. I prefer to not put her into a position that something even could happen. Yes, sometimes you just have to say what is best for your dog and really not care what the other person thinks or feels. I get harrassed also by the instructor since I have decided to take Kyrah off the contact equipment. We are going to do just JWW. Well, glad to say that this week I started a new class!! Same club just different night! I have had this instructor before and glad to be back in her class!
A lady at class is always driving me crazy trying to let her male shepherd and kyrah greet on leash. I tell her no all the time. A week or so ago she tells me "oh, you just dont want anyone to think you have a bad dog if something should happen." And I told her "no, I would just prefer to be safe and know that nothing will happen." I prefer to keep her next to me in all outings. She is not free to roam. This is not a time for play except for with me. I prefer to not put her into a position that something even could happen. Yes, sometimes you just have to say what is best for your dog and really not care what the other person thinks or feels. I get harrassed also by the instructor since I have decided to take Kyrah off the contact equipment. We are going to do just JWW. Well, glad to say that this week I started a new class!! Same club just different night! I have had this instructor before and glad to be back in her class!
I would say this comment is very important for a young dog also.Just my two cents, but I'd find a new instructor and one who does not tolerate bad behavior. Not all dogs are perfect
I've never been in a class when that has been tolerated. yes, it has happened and owner and instructor immediately put together a plan of action to prevent it from happening again.
When I'm at my limit and a dog is growling, I sometimes passive aggressively say to my dog - DON'T GROWL BACK I don't care what THAT dog is doing! Typically it is easier to move if I can. And I won't hesitate at this point (after 8 years in the sport) to tell someone if their dog is eyeballing mine or growling.
You might also consider looking at an instructor who provides foundation work rather than a class just to get on equipment. The equipment really is the easy part
When I start my dogs, it is literally MONTHS before we get ON any specific agility equipment.
Correcting the dog for growling (rather than preventing a growl as Adara is saying) could cause problems later on, as the dog may in the worse case just skip to bite.
I never ever have a problem asking other owners to sort their dogs out, I think it's important for the development of a balanced dog for a puppy to be set up for success rather than failure by owners that are too stupid to sort their dogs out themselves. Small dog owners can be a real pain in the butt.
Some people are just plain rude.
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