Author Topic: Puppy training  (Read 601 times)

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Offline Fanofjess

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Puppy training
« on: November 02, 2013, 07:10:17 AM »
Hi, I was interested to get other people's views on puppy training classes. We went last night, Jess is 8 weeks old and has had her first jab. She was terrified, and it didn't really improve through the duration of the class, she was stuck to me like glue, though I was told to hold her but not fuss her as if I make a fuss she will think its ok to be scared and I have rewarded her. She was the youngest and smallest in a class of 9. Am I doing this too early? My Dad used to breed working cockers and thinks classes are a waste of time but he had lots of other dogs for the pups to interact with so even if she learns nothing is it worth it for the socialisation? Thanks in advance. :-\

Offline **kookie**

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2013, 07:50:36 AM »
Dora had her 1st puppy school last week, and was just the same, not really scared, but incredibly shy. This week was a little better, and she sniffed a couple of the pups.
At home with Bailey she is a different animal. Bailey did the same puppy school several months ago, and he was 16 weeks when we took him, he fell in love with the place, it was the high point of his social calendar for the 6 weeks, and he made loads of friends. Dora was 12 weeks. I think age has a lot to do with it, and like you I have given up on the training bit really focusing on the socialising, which she so obviously needs.
Kookie, Bailey & Dora x

Offline Geordietyke

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2013, 08:13:38 AM »
We start our puppy classes tomorrow but 1st session is for me only  :lol2:  Will report what Archie is like next Sunday, he will be 13.5 weeks old when he goes.
Both taken away from us far too soon. x  RIP Angels Odie & Archie, causing mayhem at the Rainbow, no doubt!

Offline HBP

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2013, 08:15:01 AM »
The thing we found with puppy class is that it moves very slowly! Hudson is a very clever pup and most of the stuff that the class focuses on week in and week out (sit, lie down etc) we taught him at home before he even started classes. However, it is excellent for reinforcing the training in the face of many distractions,  and obviously the socialisation is beneficial. Plus he loves it (and it well and truly tires him out!  :shades: ) I don't think the classes are a waste of time, but as our instructor always says, 90% of training needs to be done at home- the class is just a starting point.

There was a little Paterdale terrier in our class who was terrified on her first week, clinging to her mum, hiding, crying, kept trying to run out of the door away from the other puppies... A week on she was like a different dog. Much more confident. Keep at it  :blink:

Offline Joules

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2013, 08:41:58 AM »
I think it is worth it for the socialisation alone  ;)  As long as the trainer uses positive methods and doesn't force the pups together.  When I took Coco, the trainer let the smaller, shyer pups off together first and gradually introduced the rest when the shy ones were happier.  It did Coco a lot of good as she had the opposite problem - she tried to beat up every other pup in the class  ph34r :005:  It proved a great way for her to learn some doggy manners and to play nicely with other pups in a controlled environment.   :D

Have heard of some puppy classes where it is a free for all and not properly controlled - that would definitely not be a good place for any pup to learn, especially if the pup is a bit shy to start with.  >:(
Julie and Watson

Offline Fanofjess

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2013, 08:56:10 AM »
Thank you, it's just such a minefield isn't it, nearly worse than kids for the number of opinions and ways of doing things. Hopefully next week will be better and the puppy who barked for the entire 45 mins won't be there as I am pretty sure that was a fairly big bit of the problem!

Offline Joules

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2013, 09:03:21 AM »
Thank you, it's just such a minefield isn't it, nearly worse than kids for the number of opinions and ways of doing things. Hopefully next week will be better and the puppy who barked for the entire 45 mins won't be there as I am pretty sure that was a fairly big bit of the problem!

You are right, there are many different opinions.  In the end I saw the puppy class as a socialisation opportunity and the chance for me to learn.  Coco did learn but the main benefit was in her interaction with other pups  ;)  Just stay with it, be patient and let your pup go at her own pace and hopefully she will start to enjoy herself.  The confidence she builds up now will set her in good stead for when you can take her out and about in a few weeks.  ;)
Julie and Watson

Offline HBP

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2013, 09:59:37 AM »
Thank you, it's just such a minefield isn't it, nearly worse than kids for the number of opinions and ways of doing things. Hopefully next week will be better and the puppy who barked for the entire 45 mins won't be there as I am pretty sure that was a fairly big bit of the problem!

I don't have kids but this is definitely the impression I get too! Everyone seems to know better than you don't they!

And yes classes can be noisy can't they! First time we took Hudson he hadn't found his voice yet, but all the other pups were shouting their heads off! I was terrified that was the only thing he'd come away learning  :005:

Offline Beaker

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2013, 05:23:37 PM »
I've taken my 12 week old puppy to a couple of different puppy training classes. They have been so different, and I'd be keen to see what other people's experience of puppy training involves. From what i have read on here it seems that most are there mainly to provide an opportunity to socialise with other dogs plus some training. First one we went to run by a trainer at the vets was much more about socialization. There were a couple of short off lead sessions where all the puppies got to play together and the trainer intervened if anything got a bit rough but it was not really needed. And then the rest of the time was practicing sit/down/lie, handling other puppies and asking questions etc.

We've been to a different training session twice now (I just did 2 sessions at the vets whilst waiting for this other 6 week course to start last weekend). At this one, the puppies don't get to interact at all. The trainer actually asks us to please not let the puppies interact, as then all they want to do is play with the other puppies and they're not focused on what you're trying to teach them. My puppy seems to get really frustrated as he just wants to go and sniff and play with the other puppies, and today he just whined and barked his way through the class which was annoying for everyone! I tried my best to keep him occupied with a toy so only ended up half listening to what the trainer was saying.

He started going to doggy daycare this week for 2 days, so gets lots of socialization there. The trainer actually warned me off doggy daycare a bit, as she said he may end up wanting to play with other dogs more and it will be harder to call him back when out on walks. i guess makes sense but not sure in practice if that is true? he was off the lead in the park today, sniffed other dogs but then came when i called. It seems a bit odd to not let them meet each other and play but maybe the trainer has a point, she does seems to be very knowledgeable at least.

Would be interested to hear other people's experience of what happens at puppy training classes!! It can be really confusing as I'm getting conflicting info at the moment...!

Offline HBP

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2013, 05:42:25 PM »
That second class sounds a bit serious!! At our class everyone arrives 10 minutes early so the puppies can have a play, calm down a bit etc, then the class is just everyone and their dog sitting in a line, listening to the instructor, practising a bit, often he'll do demonstrations with one of the pups etc. Part of the point of the class is that the other puppies and owners are there as distractions - as obviously it's harder to get their attention in that kind of situation - but it's more likely you'll need their training in an outside situation with other dogs etc around.

Offline Joules

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Re: Puppy training
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2013, 05:45:58 PM »
Sounds a bit strange to me - what is wrong with a pup wanting to play with other dogs?  :dunno:

At the puppy class I went to, we did basic training for most of the class, and then the last 10 mins or so, the pups were allowed to have a good play together which they loved.  :D  Our homework each week was for the pup to meet 10 other dogs  ;)  Can't understand why a trainer would try and put you off letting your pup spend time with other dogs  :huh:
Julie and Watson