Dilemma: go on to "Beginner" or "Advanced Puppy" class...

[Rhea's Mom]

Hello, all! Guess what? We GRADUATED from PuppyK! (I know, I know, it's only the first step, but I can't contain myself!) I know I posted here about our first class experience and my instructor, and all my worries, etc, etc. Well, the not-so-nice lady actually quit and we had a WONDERFUL trainer who took over and got all 13 puppies through with flying colors! I'm so proud of my little girl - in the last class (last night) she did SOOOOO well, the ramp, the sit, the down, stay, little agility jumps & the table... So thank you all for your suggestions, support and opinions. I know I love this site and it is continuously helping me and educating me in becoming a better owner for Rhea.

Ok, enough with my little brag Now the dilemma: we can go on to either advanced puppy or beginner class. The way the instructor explained the difference is like this: "Beginner class has no age restrictions and can have anyone from puppies after puppyK to adult dogs who've never been in class. We concentrate on obedience & some CGC prep"; "Advanced puppy is strictly for puppies 5 - 12 months who completed puppyK. In this class we still try to make it fun for the puppies, including some agility equipment, new surfaces, etc., but concentrating on obedience"...

I think the "advanced puppy" class is a better choice for us, especially since the instructor also mentioned the disadvantage of the "beginner class" being that there may be adult dogs (who've never been to class) with behavior problems, etc... Any ideas / thoughts / opinions appreciated...

P.S. Sorry - another concern. "Beginner class" starts next week so Rhea wouldn't have any "break" in class training, but "advanced puppy" starts in almost 4 weeks... Any adverse effects from having that long of a break? Or will it be positive? Or it really doesn't matter as long as we keep up with training at home? Thanx. Sorry it's a bit long.

[BostonRott]

I would suggest the Advanced puppy, based on your description. I think the ability to try out as many new things (surfaces, agility equip) as possible is great!!! Also the fact that they're working on keeping it light-hearted for puppies sounds good too.

Often times a break (or layoff) from training is good for a dog. However, if you have really been enjoying class, maybe you could contact the training center and see if they'd let you pay a "drop in" fee and just attend a few of the Beginner classes until Adv pup starts. I have done this with Xcel.....when I want to get him working amongst other dogs (other dogs are a HIGH distractor for Xcel, he still wants to play with them), I call the place where I do most of my training and ask if I can drop in (and pay the appropriate fee) to one of their ongoing classes. When I do this, I make sure to follow the class schedule of that day, so as not to be disruptive, but it still gives us the distraction work that we need.

Congrats on PuppyK, glad you enjoyed it and are looking forward to more training! It's VERY rewarding to train a dog with good methods and see it all come together......watch out, we may get you in the ring yet.....that bug bites HARD!!!

[hokisteph5]

I second the recommendation to go on to the Advanced Puppy class. When Samson completed Puppy K last fall, the trainers were trying to decide between offering Puppy 2 or CGC prep as their next class.

I told them that if they offered Puppy 2 I would sign up for that one because it was a continuation of Puppy K and soon enough it would be time to get into CGC prep. Alas, they didn't offer Puppy 2 so I had to sign up for CGC prep, but the class was still enjoyable.

[Ayoka]

I'm not sure about the behaviour problems only happening in the beginner class (if they happen at all) but of course there is more of a chance that there will be dogs there who haven't had the chance to attend any sort of class yet.

Bear just completed his first OB class at 18 months... in that class were some puppies from the previous puppy class and some other dogs with no other OB experience. I didn't find this to be a real problem and I think this was because the class was small...(5 dogs) and there was enough space to allow ownders and dogs to work without others being a pain in the butt.

I would wonder about a place that allows dogs with known behaviour problems into a group class...any class registration form I have filled out asks about the dog's reaction to people and other dogs...if there is a potential issue, the trainer evaluates the dog and then decides wether group class would be ok....maybe the instructor meant she would have to spend time on some things with other dogs that you had already worked on in puppy class?

That being said I think that the aspect of the advanced puppy class that entails introducing dogs to new things/equipment sounds like a real winner. I'd go with that too..

[BostonRott]

Dogs with problems are in most every class you'll find. That's why they're there. Unless the trainer and owner are unable to control them, I see no issue with that.

[spoiledbabies3]

Marina...YEAH RHEA!!!!!!!!! We are so proud! Deja sends lots of slobbery kisses your way and to tell her CONGRATULATIONS! Did she get a super treat for doing so well?

Personally, I like the idea of Advanced Puppy Class from your description. Thats the route we are going with Deja...puppy kinder and then puppy kinder 2...from there we will do obedience 1 and 2 and then perhaps agility. It really depends on her and the level at which she progresses. Good luck with the next class!

[JemarsSerena]

The advanced puppy class sounds great to me. Then maybe take the begginer class next year as a refresher. I like the idea of the puppy class having little jumps and what not for agility. I've been looking for a agility\rally instructor around here and I am having a tough time. WAY TO GO RHEA!!!!!

[Rhea's Mom]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

watch out, we may get you in the ring yet.....that bug bites HARD!!!

Thanks for the suggestions, Gretchen! I'm not sure Rhea is a good candidate for agility (I think it might be a bit early to tell also) - she definitely seems much more laid back than - let's say - the australian shep that was in our class or the lab, or the golden... She's not a hyper puppy although does get her zoomies 3 times a day and is as stubborn as a mule sometimes... But then again, what do I know - I'm still new at this so we'll probably give it a try!

In either case, we're looking forward to continuing with classes and see what other fields we can get into (maybe even therapy - she's very gentle with kids and loves people without being overly hyper. Friend's mom takes care of people with disabilities and she - Rhea - did great with them, very gentle, not scared of the wheelchairs or arm-waving or noises, just licked their hands when they petted her...) And then conformation is a possibility as well... Poor puppy - she's gonna have a busy life with her crazy mom!

[Rhea's Mom]

TO ALL - thank you for the congrats and opinions and support. You guys have been great and I know Rhea appreciates your efforts in training her mom!

-Marina

(yep, shooting for Advanced Puppy in 4 weeks. Yey!)

[lilabet]

I would vote for the puppy class. I wouldn't worry about the 4 week time lag between classes either. You can use that time to work with your pup on your own using what you learned in the first class. Practice what you learned in different environments. Take your pup out and about and work with her positively so she becomes comfortable working with you everywhere.

[Rhea's Mom]

Originally Posted by spoiledbabies3

Deja sends lots of slobbery kisses your way and to tell her CONGRATULATIONS! Did she get a super treat for doing so well?

Kisses back to Deja - can't wait to meet you guys some day! And OF COURSE she got a treat in class as well as at home. In class they gave them little puppy biscuits w/ the certificates and when I turned around for 1 second, Rhea stole one from her little pincher-mix friend Ginger (about the size of Rhea's hind leg) while covering her own treat with her belly - as in "what, mom? I only have one treat..." She did give it up immediately on "drop it" and didn't try again... But what a little rascal!

[Rhea's Mom]

Originally Posted by JemarsSerena

I like the idea of the puppy class having little jumps and what not for agility.

Me too - probably more than Rhea - at least some sort of excersize! These 2006 girlies sure wear you out, don't they!

Maybe you guys were right, and they are "triplets" or "quadruplets" - Serena, Deja, Gypsy & Rhea! - ANYONE ELSE WANTS IN ON THE 2006 ROTTIE-GIRLIES CLUB? It's an open invitation - no member fees!

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by Rhea's Mom

ANYONE ELSE WANTS IN ON THE 2006 ROTTIE-GIRLIES CLUB? It's an open invitation - no member fees!

I would, but Gretchen was born in 11/05.

[Rhea's Mom]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

I would, but Gretchen was born in 11/05.

Hey, what the heck - only 2 months off! Gretchen's in!

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by Rhea's Mom

Hey, what the heck - only 2 months off! Gretchen's in!

Ditto...Deja Vu votes she's IN too! Welcome aboard Gretchen!!!! Glad to have you! Just remember...this group keeps us "on our toes".