Member

Posts: 22
From:valparaiso, indiana
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-17-2003 10:31 AM         

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hello again everybody just wondering when would be a good time for me to start obedience classes for jazz. she is about 8 1/2 wks now. and how do you go about findind a class and what classes do i look for. sorry first puppy.
steve

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Member

Posts: 116
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-17-2003 10:34 AM         

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A lot of places offer puppy classes. I think they require that you have all parvo shots and rabies vacination. As long as you have that for your puppy (which you might not yet) you should start puppy class. It helps get your puppy used to being around other dogs and they really teach as the owner how to effectively communicate with your dog.

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Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-17-2003 01:17 PM         

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I imagine you will want to wait until around 10-12 weeks of age, and after their last set of shots, so it will depend somewhat on your vaccination schedule that you are on. Puppy classes are offered at many different places, but make sure when you are asking that all puppies are required to have all their shots. You get kind of a mixed bag of owners and puppies at these types of classes-when you find a place that offers the puppy classes, I would go alone during the next couple of weeks to observe what kind of situation you will be bringing your pup into and how the trainer handles situations. I went only one time with my Aussie and the trainer did a "no feet" pinching of the toes on my pup and it was a complete DISASTER. Make sure the trainer understands individual puppies temperment and ask them questions about what to expect during the classes- make sure you are in the right environment. Aussies are so observant - you don't want someone doing something that you will have to "undo" like I did.
Got any pics?

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Member

Posts: 373
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 11-17-2003 01:46 PM         

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Jeminn, A friend of mine went to t trainer that pinched the toes, I think that is awful. It just instills fear of having their paws touched. Good idea about observing classes first to if that is the one you want to be in.

Honeybear

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Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-17-2003 02:01 PM         

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Generally a puppy kindegarten class is started at 10-12 weeks and for smaller breeds sometimes around 20 weeks. Make sure that they ask for you to show them proof of your pups vaccinations, if they aren't making you show proof(and some don't) then nobody else had to prove it either and you could be exposing your pup to something harmful. My own rule of thumb is 16 weeks or older, just because I feel like the pup has had more time to build up an immune system.
Beginning obedience classes are for dogs 4 months and older at the place I go to. I personally see the puppy class as beginning obedience since that is the actual goal, but thats just how they categorize their classes.
It's not in your area but here is a link to the trainer I use, you can get an idea of how the classes go and a general idea of what is taught in each class.
I have found that there is sometimes a huge difference in prices, I love this place I go to and I feel like their prices are reasonable. Since I get good results and learn alot, I don't see a need to spend top dollar for what is essentially the basics. I did have to spend $60 for a one on one hour long session with the trainer who specializes in aggression issues, it was well worth it and turned out to be a one time thing as she was able to set me up with a plan that has worked...essentially she told me he did not have aggression issues and showed me how to nip his behavior in the butt.(Had alot to do with me and how I was handling him) You can find a place like this one or go to PetsMart for your basic puppy class and then later find a place like I showed you. Petsmart offers puppy classes for a reasonable fee, but as with any trainer, watch them work a class first and make sure you see eye to eye on technique and that you would be comfortable working with that trainer. http://www.happygoluckydog.com/html/training.html

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Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-17-2003 02:16 PM         

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It's my understanding puppies don't get the first rabies vaccine until after 4 months, Witt got his at 6 months when he was neutered and microchipped, so did Dooley. I think all the other puppy shots are required before class though, which is part of the reason for starting around 12 weeks. Has anyone elses dog gotten their rabies before 4 months? I'm curious.

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Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-17-2003 06:33 PM         

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I agree Honeybear- I was so mad at the trainer-she pinched her toes so hard and SCREAMED "NO FEET" that Jules completely freaked, yelped and squealed and hid between my legs. Then she tried to approach Jules, realizing that she overdid it with Jules temperment. (This all happened AFTER the class that I had observed when everyone had left and she wanted to show me a few "manners" that Jules needed to learn). I told her to just leave her be, and stressed that I already had socializing issues I was working on and didn't need to add fear into the equation, but what I said went in one ear and out the other. Jules did not want anything to do with that woman and neither did I. When she approached Jules (who was between my legs at this point) she grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and I said "THIS IS ENOUGH!" and put myself between her and Jules, but she still tried to coax her out from under my legs. Jules strained to get out of her grip and coincidently bit the woman on the lip- not really intending to, but in the chaotic moment it was, that it what happened, and it happened fast. I told the woman she got what she deserved and gave her no apologies. She ended up apologizing to me, and said she deserved it- that she took the wrong approach with my puppy and she was sorry. I complained to the vet where the classes were being held, and had already paid my $100 for 6 weeks, which she happily refunded. What a nutball- thinking about that whole situation really irks me. BE CAREFUL taking your puppies to puppy classes and obedience classes, observe and talk with the trainer BEFORE you bring in your puppy. Understand your puppies temperment, and understand the breed so you are armed with as much information as possible and can tell right from wrong in the way people work with animals. I would like to think that most trainers are good trainers, but sadly that is not the case.

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Tulsa, OK 74104
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-17-2003 08:44 PM         

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It's hard for puppies to have a very long attention span so too often, training sessions at a really young age end on a bad note. However, it is never too early to start working on basic things such as come, sit, ets. I'd say 3-4 months is an appropriate time to begin puppy kindergarten. Be careful not to lose your patience when working with her early because puppies are so easily distracted. Reward her often!

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