What age to start puppy class?

[Dominey]

Meg started classes one day shy of 13 weeks. All her jabs were completed and active from 11.5 weeks (although we did do some careful human socialisation befoe this). This class is a positive reinforcement class (clicker training). She was being "trained" from the day she arrived home at 8weeks though, and knew sit and down before we started class (taught at home with the help of the clicker)
The only punishment we have ever had to use with her is a couple of warning "ah-ah"'s or "no"'s to tell her what she is doing is wrong, then if she still carries on (mouthing, jumping, going up stairs, chewing furniture... etc) then she would be shut away for a few minutes. Now she is really responsive to the ah-ah, and we haven't had to shut her out for a few weeks!!!
We are nearly done with puppy class now (8wk class) and will start junior class a few weeks after this class finishes. My class was £40 for 8wks (thats about $70 I think).
I would definitely recommend having a plan and starting training at home before classes, as setting up bad practices will make things harder when you do start class, even if its only a few weeks. These rottie pups learn REALLY FAST, make sure they are learning the right things!!!

[SABELLESMOM]

[quote=Todd & Sheila11 week old to the vet...another parvo shot.......We asked him about puppy class, he said not ill she is 4-5 months old.....
Thanks
Todd[/QUOTE]

Well the most likely reason for that is the pup is not yet finished with the parvo series. In puppies under 6 months of age, it is most often deadly. And it is picked up as much as a year or MORE later from parvo infected feces.

Your pup should be done with the initial parvo series by 18-20 weeks. Rotties and Dobermans are more succeptable to the disease. BTW: Bordatella, intranasal, will have been given around 12 weeks. (kennel cough)


In the mean time you CAN clear a "safe space" in your yard and work with you pup there. (Bleach solution) You could also let your dog socalize and play in that space with another dog provided you're sure of the health of the other dog...say a trusted friends pet?

Otherwise,teach things inside your home, on the patio, porch, etc. There is no reason a pup can't learn to "sit" or start working on a down stay, and coming when called. GOOD LUCK!

[dmoniz]

Logan just finnished his puupy class, he started at 11 weeks. He is 20 weeks old now. Our trainer is going to allow him to continue to go the to puppy class so that he can keep up with his socialization until he is old enough to start the beginner class

[Todd & Sheila]

Thank you all for your input, turns out that the puppy class consisted of my wife & I and my friend from work and thier Jack Russell Terrier.

We have been working on sit & down....The down we still have a ways to go....The sit she does pretty well......Her attention span is too short for stay.....at least that is how she is acting.

Thanks
Todd & SHeila

[rottgirl]

Congrats on the new puppy, out first rott went to 4 private lessons at the age of 12 weeks old, then we attended puppy, intermediate and CGC at our local Petsmart along with additional lessons. I feel the dog can never have enough training and also for the socialization.