puppy classes

[lemoniee]

Does anyone know of any puppy/obidience classes around congleton or stoke on trent area that they can recommend? I think some of the things I need to train her on are going to be a bit tricky so thinking of classes, I've heard of puppy parties too but npot heard of any local
Thanks

[mooching]

lemoniee

It's usually the vets that organise puppy parties, so it would be a good idea to ask there. They should also be able to recommend puppy classes to you - look for the ones that are reward-based.

What kind of things are you feeling you need to train her on?

[lemoniee]

hi mooching,

think i will ring our vets sometime today and speak to them about it, we were told that our local pets at home are going to be doing puppy parties on a sunday morning...will have to find out when though.

I dont think she is old enough to be doing proper training as she is only just 4 months old and the concentration span isnt too long atm!  just want to get her walking next to me and heeling and get her used to being around other puppies/dogs, she met a little cocker who was 2 weeks older than her in the park yesterday and she had a great time playing with her 

The only training im doing with her at the moment is games based; fetch and wait, sitting and waiting for her food bowl at meal times and sitting when told&staying, I think she is a quick learner and eager to learn but i dont want to bombard her with commands yet.

[black taz]

4 months old is more than old enough to join a puppy training class (rather than puppy parties).  All three of my dogs have started puppy training classes as soon as they have had their injections. 

[Sue E]

4 months old is more than old enough to join a puppy training class (rather than puppy parties).  All three of my dogs have started puppy training classes as soon as they have had their injections. 

I agree, start her as soon as you can.  Ozzy wasn't great at everything at puppy classes but it helped him to socialize with other dogs.   In the end he became super confident and just barked all the way through the intermediate classes  but that's another story.  The puppy classes definitely helped us with his stay and sit (he's an angel at these  ).  I'd say start the classes now, you'll probably find they're all about the same age. 

[lemoniee]

I didnt know when was the right age to start training and classes as ive never had a puppy before, my cocker i had previous to delta was 8 yrs when we got her as we inherited her from a close neighbour, i will look into getting her enrolled 

thanks again

[mooching]

think i will ring our vets sometime today and speak to them about it, we were told that our local pets at home are going to be doing puppy parties on a sunday morning...will have to find out when though.

I may be wrong, but I'd imagine that a PAH Puppy Party would be with the aim of promoting their products, whereas your vets' one would likely have a variety of products and services advertised, as well as probably having a talk on general health.

The best thing to come out of our vets' Puppy Party was a free squeaky Kong ball!

[jessandme]

You may find that at 4 months she is now too old for the puppy parties - vets usually have an upper age limit, with ours it was 13 weeks.

But I totally agree, you can take her along to an obedience class and she will love it.  The club we've been attending with Jess has three separate classes for puppies of various ages.  I think the youngest puppy I've seen there was a 9 week old miniature dachsie - so tiny!