Anna, sometimes group settings are just too much for our exuberant dogs! I remember the last class we took, Helen was training Honey and I was training Lilly. It was a HUGE class, and just too much for poor Honey. She decided that she had enough, and she just laid down while we were walking around the ring. She would do nothing! And she never got over it either and we ended up having to stop the class. It wasn't the same as what you experienced with Malone, but it was embarassing and frustrating for me. You might do better with some one on one training with Malone. It isn't cheap, but it might work better for some of the initial training at least, so your boy wouldn't have anyone to socialize with!!!! He sounds like a perfect candidate for agility too! Maybe once the basic commands are learned you could try that! It is terrific for energetic dogs!!

Don't feel badly, as you can tell, many have experienced the exact same thing!!!