What do people actually think of puppy classes?

[Bob1955]

Puppy classes work for some and not others. Kimber had a really bad experience. She was attacked by another pup. It made her wary of some other dogs and actually made her aggressive/defensive to others. We worked hard to socialise her after that, but she still takes an instant dislike to some dogs. With Rudi we didn't need to bother too much because he learnt from his mum. He watched and copied everything she did, apart from steal food.

[nickmcmechan]

I am taking Max to puppt class. It's well structured, clearly working towards KC Good Citizens and touches on other training as well. The class lasts an hour and you hardly notice the time at all. Positive training techniques are used and I have to bring toys and treats and I get feedback based on my dog and my breed - the feedback is given to you that will help you and is not generic.

For me, this is the sort of class you want.

I wouldn't go if there was a free for all and the trainer got annoyed.

I think its good to teach himn control and attention on me when there's all there exciting other pups around!

[gsdstewart]

and I get feedback based on my dog and my breed - the feedback is given to you that will help you and is not generic.

...where do you go?

[nickmcmechan]

Originally Posted by gsdstewart

and I get feedback based on my dog and my breed - the feedback is given to you that will help you and is not generic.

...where do you go?

Darcregan, Yvonne and her team are excellent

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by Moobli

I was told of a method the other day that I haven't ever tried with my pups, but which sounded as though it would work really well.

Basically rather than socialising in its usual form, this person (who trains working GSDs) does training/play with the pup everywhere they go, rather than letting the pup explore of its own accord, they take it out and about and play on/over/in things, next to traffic, up steps, on slippy floors etc. Anything that can be encountered is, without the pup even realising it.

The benefits to this are that the pup gets really focused on his owner and sees them to be the source of all things fun, and also by keeping the pup engrossed in the owner he won't have noticed anything that might have scared or worried him and by the time he does notice, he just associates it with food/play anyway.

This is the method favoured by Michael Ellis, and is exactly what I did and it worked EXTREMELY well, in the end creating a pup that is ultra focused on you, no matter the distraction - it teaches the dog that anywhere you go it is more rewarding and fun to be engaged with you rather than exploring the environment on its own, and also creates a very positive association with new places and environments. Busy supermarket carparks, playparks are your friend, and were where I trained most of the time. For me, having done it once, it is definitely the way to go, and is the way I would socialise any future pup also.

[Blitzen]

And I too would avoid the class you mentioned like the plague - a free-for-all is counter-productive and detrimental to your puppy's training and socialisation. A well-structured class, where the pups learn to focus on their owners and learn to do so while other pups are working around them is beneficial. But I would rather go to no puppy class, and socialise and train on my own, than go to one like you are describing.

From you opening post it sounds like you were doing an excellent job on your own

[Breagha Bop]

hi, i do agree with a lot of what has been said above but i would absolutely not take my pup to an off lead free for all class.

i do believe a good puppy class provides you with a foundation to start your training. i would expect a class to teach you the basics of heel work on loose lead, how to sit and down your pup correctly. in addition to this i would look for weaving through the other dogs and handler to help you develop concentration and control around others.

i would not expect you to be in puppy class for a long period of time and i would want a class that moved me on when i had achieved this not kept me there until the group where ready.

training on your own is fine if you have regular contact with other dogs but if not the class provides you with the opportunity to correct jumping, lunging and pulling issues to mention but a few.

happy training hope all goes well.