PUPPY COURSES

[Cob-Web]

Im not too sure about puppy classes  I went with Daisy and maybe it was just me but I found them useless, but did get a few good recipes  Im glad I dont have to take Otter to classes as he get loads of socialisation here everyday 

I think puppy classes (are you listening Mark)  Should have a revamp and new and better methods and ideas should be introduced, not too sure what but im thinking about it.

People that do go, whats the format now 

Ours were set around the Foundation Assessment, so we learnt how to teach our dogs the basic commands required, and also handled each others dogs, learnt how to teach them to settle, and to tolerate other dogs in close proximity. 

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/2853/gcdspuppy.pdf

I preferred this format to the puppy socialisation classes run at our vets which focused more on allowing interaction between puppies.....I wanted a bit more in terms of training skills; although the techniques left a lot to be desired and used negative reinforcement  which I wouldn't do now 

The clicker classes I went to a year later were brilliant - each class had a theme in terms of training a skill, and there was a training sheet with homework set at the end of each class using the skills we had been taught in class, too 

[Cazzie]

I just feel there is sooooo much that could be done in puppy classes, and not just with the dogs and ive said this before, I think there should be sessions where the owners go before and during the training season without the dogs and learn various ways means and skills. I found with the puppy classes I went to and alot that my customers dogs have been to the dogs do not socialise off the lead  and they seem to be very regimented and if your dog doesnt conform, then you tend to get left out and told to practice at home 

Im going to start my own I think 

[Jeanette]

I am really looking forward to starting puppy training as its me who needs the training in order to train Indie.   Topics covered on the first course are recall, sit, down, walking on lead (which I really need help with), stay and working with distractions!.   I already go to puppy socialisation at the vets so really need to focus on training her.   I'm really hoping this is going to be worthwhile especially as some of you seem to think puppy training classes are not worth it.   I'm really hoping it will be worthwhile for me, fingers crossed it is a good course, they cost enough.

[Cob-Web]

I just feel there is sooooo much that could be done in puppy classes, and not just with the dogs and ive said this before, I think there should be sessions where the owners go before and during the training season without the dogs and learn various ways means and skills. I found with the puppy classes I went to and alot that my customers dogs have been to the dogs do not socialise off the lead  and they seem to be very regimented and if your dog doesnt conform, then you tend to get left out and told to practice at home 

Im going to start my own I think 

All the classes I have been to have required me to attend at lewast one session without my dog 

I wouldn't want my dog to socialise off-lead in a class environment, as a group situation in a confined space is stressful for many dogs, which will lead to heightened reactivity to triggers. our trainer encouraged and co-ordinated "group walks" instead, to allow dogs to socialise in their own time.

Practice at home is key to training classes.....the class teaches you how to train the dog, and you begin that training in a low distraction, low stimulation environment - not at a training class full of nice smells and other dogs 

Perhaps I have been lucky with classes - the things you would like to see are an integral part of the classes I have been to 

[Nicola]

I took Alfie to socalisation classes at the vet which were run by a vet nurse who was also studying to be a behaviourist at the time and then to classes run by an APDT trainer geared around the KC Good Citizen Dog scheme. The puppy classes were free to clients at the surgery and consisted of basic training and handling with some controlled off lead interaction and I think I then paid about £75 for the GCD foundation and bronze courses and for the first class it was owners only - no puppies. Good, well run classes with properly trained and qualified leaders/trainers are invaluable, particularly at the puppy stage and for novice owners. Word of mouth can be a good recommendation, try asking around some local dog walkers and see what they recommend in your area although I would also check the qualifications of the people running the class and that you are happy with their methods.

[Jeanette]

The training course I am going to is not for dogs to meet off-lead, it is for training and not for socialisation as the main emphasis, otherwise why would I pay £75.00 for my dog to meet other dogs, such a waste of money when I could go down the local park and meet other dogs for free.   This is the way I would like it, else I don't think we would get anything done if it was an off-lead training environment.     We go to puppy socialisation at the vets which is altogether a different thing, the reason I go to this is for Indie to meet other puppies and have an off-lead play and this is free.  I really want to get my moneys worth out of the training sessions and so would not want it to be a play session for the price I'm paying.

[Jeanette]

It may be worth just asking at your local vets as they usually know of the good trainers.   

[Cob-Web]

why would I pay £75.00 for my dog to meet other dogs, such a waste of money when I could go down the local park and meet other dogs for free.   

While I agree that £75 is a high price for classes - I do not agree that paying for good socialisation opportunities is a waste of money  Dogs at the park are not assessed and tested in the same way as stooge dogs at puppy classes are, and there is not an expert on hand to intervene and explain to owners what is going on in terms of doggy language 

Sadly, you will meet many irresponsible owners in your local park, whether you seek them out or not; one of Molo's lasting puppy memories is being bowled over and flattened by a muzzled adult doberman; his owner believed he was harmless because he was muzzled 

[Jeanette]

I haven't booked up for a socialisation class, I've booked up for a training course so the point I was trying to make was that paying £75.00 for a training course which ended up as merely a socialisation party for puppies to meet and play would be to me a waste of money because that it is not what I have paid for.   I've paid for myself to learn to train my puppy.     I was actually agreeing with you that dogs should not be off-lead in a training environment

[Cazzie]

I think they should get off the lead at some point suring the training, if its done correctly and with all dogs on equal levels of size and temprement  then its a great thing. I go to gun dog training and all the dogs are let off in a huge paddock together to socialise before hand and at the end afterwards. This way they are not straiing to see each other during the training and concentrate on what they are there to learn 

[Jeanette]

Maybe they will at the end    Will let you know, not been yet 

[Cazzie]

Maybe they will at the end    Will let you know, not been yet 

Have a great time  Im sure it will be miles better that the one I experienced 

[CraftySam]

Puppy classes are essential whether its your 1st puppy or your 6th.  My dog trainer has a puppy of her own right now and she goes to another trainers puppy class.  

I'm not sure where you are in the North West but there is a My Pet Stop at Denton, Manchester. I've not used that one but I have used the Leeds one.  The puppy classes were £30 for six weeks (1hr sessions). After that classes are £60 for six weeks.

Our training classes, right from puppy class, have included off lead time for the dogs to play and socialise and I think its an invaluable experience for the dogs. There has been occasion when its been clear that it would be inappropriate for a certain dog to be off lead with the other dogs but the owner and trainer decide on the best course of action.  We also trained the dogs off lead too.
This is actually the reason why I continue to go to training session every week for the last three years with each of my dogs, aged 4, 2.5, 20mths & 1, so that they continue to socialise with other dogs and learn to work and listen in surrounding that are exciting and filled with distractions in a controlled way.
I can, and do, carryout the training exercises we do in class at home with each of my dogs but what I can't do is recreate that environment where I can train my dogs to a standard when they are in an exciting environment, filled with distractions which is the reason why I continue to go every week.

I still fulfil socialisation with other dogs in other ways too, and I do train in the park but for me nothing beats training in that manor I've described.

I think they should get off the lead at some point suring the training, if its done correctly and with all dogs on equal levels of size and temprement  then its a great thing. I go to gun dog training and all the dogs are let off in a huge paddock together to socialise before hand and at the end afterwards. This way they are not straiing to see each other during the training and concentrate on what they are there to learn 

I agree.  

[Cob-Web]

with all dogs on equal levels of size and temprement 

That might be possible at gundog training  - but pet classes are a bit different and there may not be two equal dogs in the same class 

Both puppy socialisation and training are equally important for pups in my opinion - but I don't think they should be necessarily combined; they have very different purposes and goals and I would hope that a trainer would manage them very differently 

[Cazzie]

with all dogs on equal levels of size and temprement 

That might be possible at gundog training  - but pet classes are a bit different and there may not be two equal dogs in the same class 

Both puppy socialisation and training are equally important for pups in my opinion - but I don't think they should be necessarily combined; they have very different purposes and goals and I would hope that a trainer would manage them very differently 

Rachael, we have everything from  huge flat coated retrievers to a the tinyest of cocker spaniels and many other breeds, our gun dog training is a real mixed bag. They are all PETS who's owners like gun dog training as apposed to any other training available 

Puppy socialisation is a completely different thing to training classes, as I would not take my puppy at a young age to a training class but would to a sensible and orderly socialisation class.