We start puppy class on the 10th

[myrottie_chyna]

I have Chyna signed up for puppy classes, and they start on the 10th of April. The instructor seemed excited that I was bringing a young rottie. She is now 17 weeks.

As a first timer going to any sort of training classes, what can I expect? What do the classes for puppies usually start out with?
What sort of things should I watch out for? I dont know the reputation of this place. There are only a few trainers/classes here in our rural area.
The classes should be low pressure and fun right?
Thanks for any input/suggestions before we start. I am kinda nervous..... I dont know what to expect, and what will be expected of Chyna.

[spoteet]

Sajan and I are starting puppy class on the 17th. He will be 12 weeks old then. My primary interest in going is to get him around more dogs and people. So far every dog he has been around has been an adult and they run off when he starts trying to play(not exactly what I want him to learn). I am hoping the other pups won't do that.

I took a female pup I raised for my mother to a puppy class 8 years ago(it's been that long since I had a pup). I only took her to one class because I didn't like the first class. There were about 12 pups in the class. The other 11 pups were either labs or goldens. During play period the pups automatically separated into two groups and would not play with her. I felt sorry for her and would not bring her back to class.

Hopefully, this time it will work out better.

Have fun in class!

[Trinitii]

Stay calm and have fun! Remember the socialization is wonderful for them. Although I wasn't really fond of my last class we just finished I did come away with some things. They will either teach the basics or over load you with things to learn. They should teach you a method of training that you can use for all your needs even when class is over. My class had the sit, stay, come, heel, manners, attention Leave it, and release. Also to go settle on a certain favorite rug, play fetch, and shake. I myself kind of slacked on some of the ..well what I call non basics and only concentrated on the basics. My theory was get the basics down then move on to the extras that make life easier. Good Luck and have a great time!

Trinitii

[babydungeon]

please, please, please make sure your puppy has all of his shots before you take him anywhere around unknown animals. any respectible dog training class would not even let you register your pet until you have done so. at 17 weeks i hardly think your puppy could have had all the necessary and SOOO important vaccinations by then. parvo, rabies, distemper, etc. maybe i'm wrong but i am just so paranoid about my 6 month male getting something that could have been prevented. i could have placed my boy in classes in january but waited. now he is going to start on the 9th. i don't mean to freak you out, just be careful. i would call your vet and ask them what they think should be done as far as shots go before you let your puppy around other puppies.
GOOD LUCK!!!:)

[DNeff]

Actually most respectable training classes have started to encourage puppies to start class around 13 weeks, provided the puppy has had 2 sets of shots.
Waiting too long will allow your puppy to miss out on some much needed socialization and interaction with other puppies. Almost all of the behaviorist I have encountered agree that a good puppy class at the right age is critical to your puppy's successful development. Young puppies go through several development "windows" during their early life, which makes getting them out to classes during those stages critical.

Class should cover basics, like eye contact, sit, come, down. They should have some puppy play time for the puppies and cover basic care issues such as crating, house training, and chewing. Class should be very low key and relaxed, this should be about training the handlers and making sure the puppies have fun.
The methods used should be motivational.
Be sure to bring tons of very small bite sized soft treats, such as string cheese or hotdogs as well as one or two of your puppy's favorite toys. A bait bag, 6 foot lead and a flat buckle collar.
Puppy class is a blast, make sure to relax and enjoy yourself.
Best of luck!
Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CD NA NAC NGC TT CGC

[babydungeon]

at "17" weeks i hardly think your puppy could have had all the necessary and SOOO important vaccinations by then. parvo, rabies, distemper, etc. maybe i'm wrong but i am just so paranoid about my 6 month male getting something that could have been prevented.

i meant 12 weeks

[babydungeon]

i agree, it's just me being paranoid. my parents had 2 puppies die from parvo about 5 years ago. it's very sad.

[spoteet]

When Sajan starts class at 12 weeks he will have had his third set of shots. My vet has told me that he will be well protected by then. Believe me, I would never do anything to put him a risk. Thanks for the advice though.

[Kayla]

Puppy kindergarten is great fun and very important in your puppy's training developement. As mentioned in the previous posts, be sure your vet has cleared your pup for the class by giving all the needed vacines, especialy parvo. Our puppy Kayla http://users.erols.com/annedave/ went through kindergarten and we all learned a lot and had fun doing it. The socialization is soooooo important. When we continued her education with basic class, we could see a huge difference between those that went to kindergarten and those that didn't. In a few weeks our little girl will be graduating from advanced class and we are so proud of her and thrilled with what a great dog she is turning out to be. One of the most important things you will learn in kindergarten is that you must socialize your puppy with children, adults, old folks, and other animals and do this in many different locations. From the day our vet told us we could expose Kayla to the outside world, she has been walked in busy downtown areas and playgrounds and taken to dog parks. We gave everyone we met (including children) a treat to give to Kayla with the result that she loves people. Relax and have fun in kindergarten, there's nothing to be nervous about, you'll both have a great time! :D

[babydungeon]

thanks for your advice and sharing your experience. my boy, dungeon, is 6 months old and seems to love people too. i'm just wondering though, how will she know how to react when the stranger you meet one day isn't so friendly, like a mugger. i love the way dungeon is always so calm around people and other dogs but sometimes i wonder if he will be able to show his aggressive side when the time comes. do you learn anything about that in your advanced classes? thanks, kevin

[babydungeon]

kayla, by the way, we loved your site! you have a beautiful dog, dungeon looks like her when she was his age. can you p.m. me and let me know how you made that site? thanks

[Kayla]

babydungeon...when I tried to PM you I got this message;

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Since I can't use the PM feature I will tell you how I made my website here. First off, your internet provider must provide you with space on their server for you to build a webpage. Many providers offer this free with your monthly service so call them if you are not sure if you have it. They will provide you with directions to open your new blank page which is where you will upload your text and pictures. I used Microsoft FrontPage to build the page which is very user friendly. You can select premade backgrounds and just type your text like you are in a word processor like Word. I get my pictures from a Mini digital video camera but you can use a still digital camera or a scanner. You should convert your pictures to JPEG format and size them down so they will load faster. You can just copy and paste your pictures with a right click of your mouse. Frontpage also makes it easy to make hot links and an email link. Some features of FrontPage are not compatible with every provider's webspace. For instance, I had to find a counter from another website and the publishing program didn't work for me so I use WF_FTP95LE. WF_FTP is the program that uploads your data to your provider's server. Just do a search on the internet to find this easy to use free program if you need it.

As far as your question about will your dog be protective when he has to be. This is not something a 6 month old dog should be taught. For now be very glad that your pup seems to like everyone he meets. As I mentioned our little Kayla loves everyone, however at home her instinct kicks in when she hears a strange noise and she goes into scary guard dog mode without any prompting or teaching from us. I have confidence that she would protect me if I or my family were being harmed. After your pup goes through many months (or years) of obedience training you may want to consider official (professional) guard or attack dog training. However, unless you are in a profession that needs such a dog you shouldn't do it. You will only be opening yourself up to lawsuits any time your "trained attack dog" accidently steps on someone's toe. Consider this...all the bad press about killer Rottweilers has one positive effect, the bad guys cross the street when they see you coming. NOTE: I am fully aware that 99.9% of all that bad press about killer Rottweilers is pure BS.

One last thing, I noticed you have a 10 month old Boa. We have a 22 year old Ball Python. We had no idea that snakes lived so long when we got him (her?).

[Harleysmom]

Just wanted to say a big thank you on all the parvo shot and puppy class responses. I have been agonizing over this question. I too would like to start puppy classes and even have on available opening on the 16th but Harley will only have had his 3rd parvo before he starts. Have not had a response from my vet yet and don't want to miss the opening in the class. Harley will be 12 weeks then. Thanks again!!!! :D

[myrottie_chyna]

Chyna had her fourth set of shots a week before the class started. I am going to be giving her a fifth set in three more weeks. I agonized over waiting also, but dont worry. They will learn just as well a bit older, then you wont have to worry about them picking up any diseases. Its better to wait until they have had all shots, than to start too soon and get parvo. :(