Puppy Classes - what's your view?

[Jinx94]

Zazu is coming home tomorrow!

Super excited, but one of the biggest questions my family and friends have had for me is: "have you found some puppy classes yet?"

I started looking a while ago, but couldn't find any locally that I'm desperate to look at. The breeder has a fairly negative view as they can be a free for all and a bit of a nightmare, he believes that you're better of socialising in multiple environments rather than using puppy classes. On Wednesday I picked up a crate for the car who trains and competes labs at open level Field Trials. He has the same opinion as Zazu's breeder and his belief is that the majority of puppy training classes are similar to asking a kid to do their homework while watching their mates play games.

My dad on the other hand is really pushing for me to take her to classes, so is my sister and so is a close friend.

I'm not sure. I'm not convinced that they're the be all and end all, but a lot of the local ones to me come across as being very fluffy in any of their advertising and it puts me off I've found a class about an hour away with a training group that specialise in working dogs, but I'm not sure whether that's fair on a pup?

Would really appreciate your input, and if anyone has any recommendations near Banbury/Daventry it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Splash2310]

I don’t have any recommendations near you unfortunately, but we went to a KC puppy class when our spaniel was a puppy.

I have to say I didn’t feel like he learnt much (mainly because I’d taught him everything at home) but it was a good way for him to socialise safely and calmly with other dogs and people. He was also always exhausted the day after

If you’re worried that it might be a free for all, could you go along to a class to observe before signing up?

Edited to add: one of the big takeaways we had was him learning that he could be calm in a challenging environment and sit on his mat.

 

[Jenko109]

I think the right ones are brilliant.

My local class is run the same as an obedience class. Everyone is on lead, teaching a focus word, loose lead walking, sit-stays, down stays, call to front, correct heel positioning, recalling away from distractions blah blah blah.

I would go and watch a few.

I would agree that any class that allows off lead madness should be avoided at all costs.

 

[DiNozzo]

I took my parent's new puppy to classes. I'd already done most basic training - sit/down/off/leave/paw/roll over and his recall was about 70% reliable.

They gave us some useful tips about lead walking, and provided a safe place to practice recall with more distractions. It definitely got better for having been there, but I could have done it without the classes IYKWIM?

There was 6 dogs there at any one time, in a 40x50m space? We all had a cone to work from so had space around us. None of the dogs there were very noisy, so it was quite nice. I'm not sure we'd have gone back if they had been gobby though.

It was most useful for his confidence - he was a proper wuss about other dogs and would immediately fling himself over onto his back if another dog so much as looked at him. He doesn't do that anymore, he has a sniff and wag and then ignores them if he's not interested.

 

[Clodagh]

I’d go and look, as has been suggested. I have never been to one, I admit, as I have a lot of dogs available for social skills.
I wouldn’t travel a pup an hour each way for a class.

 

[druid]

I use ringcraft to socialise pups. Dogs are less likely to be uncouth heathens (generally, there's always an exception)

 

[blackcob]

There are puppy classes and puppy classes - I would also avoid like the plague anything with free for all play or on-lead greetings but the right one can have value, even if that's just learning to sit on a mat quietly and pay attention for a bit.

Mine's currently going to one where I don't have to participate in the exercises and literally have her parked in a corner belt-feeding sossidges for an hour while everyone else does their thing, but I've known the trainer for nearly a decade and she's sympathetic to our needs having had them herself. Previous pup went to Dogs Trust Dog School which had a great set-up, would recommend if you have a centre near you.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I went to classes with two of mine, both were rubbish, imo. There was a very barky gsd who the trainer hid behind an upturned table. She made us do things like put our hands in the dogs’ mouth, go through doors first etc. I’d already done everything with Zak that she said but she asked me to prove it, so I did. She also had her grandchild at every class, the child talked to the helper through all the classes which I found extremely disruptive.

I imagine if you find a good one, it’s great, but I wouldn’t want the forced socialisation or a free for all.

 

[Spotherisk]

What kind of dog is she Jinx, and what do you intend to do ie will she be a working gun dog, do showing classes, general pet?

 

[blackcob]

There was a very barky gsd who the trainer hid behind an upturned table.

 

[MurphysMinder]

As already said , the right puppy.classes are good but I would avoid the free for all “puppy parties “ like the plague . My Gsd started the KC puppy foundation just after I got her at 4 months . Like blackcob to start with I just concentrated on getting her to focus . She has now worked through the levels and got her Gold last week at 12 months . It’s a good idea to go and watch some classes and talk to trainers before you commit.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I'm a little on the fence. We started puppy classes just after Xmas. My pup was great whilst doing the task but started digging and yapping whilst waiting for the others to do their tasks. I didn't want her doing either of those things so we stopped. My aim was to socialise her. In the first 2 classes she had proved she was fine with other dogs so I then wasn't worried about meeting dogs on a walk. We have just started amity training , which of course she can't do much of because of her age, but it keeps her brain more engaged.

 

[Jinx94]

What kind of dog is she Jinx, and what do you intend to do ie will she be a working gun dog, do showing classes, general pet?

She's a working line GSD, ultimately I'd like to have a crack at IGP. I'm not necessarily fussed about competing but I would like to do the training and channel her drive.

Thanks everyone! I'm contacting a few to try and find out how they run their classes before going to visit. Trying to draw up a shortlist

 

[EllieBeast]

I havn’t taken my boy to puppy classes, but he’s been going to ringcraft from 14 weeks of age. It’s been great socialisation as the aim is to get him to realise all the other dogs and people aren’t there to see him .

I also take him to a basic village hall obedience class. He already knew how to heel/sit/lie down/recall etc but most of the other dogs don’t do so reliably so every week is a bit of carnage in different ways- absolutely fabulous for proofing behaviours

If you already have enough knowledge yourself to teach the fundamentals- then I can highly recommend ringcraft! Generally much cheaper than puppy classes too

 

[ArklePig]

I brought my dog to adult classes a few times, but it was for dogs who had missed out on puppy classes for whatever reason (lockdown, rehomed dogs etc) so was all the same material. It was run by a dog club as opposed to a corporate operation - good points: me and OH had never had a dog together or as adults so it taught us agreed ways to train certain behaviours, and it tired her out. Bad points: the environment was a bit hectic for me despite being on lead, some were major barkers. It got very loud at times. She didn't care though. Best thing for us was it taught her to focus on us in a busy environment and when it came to training her recall this was invaluable.

Also they kept calling her Cola not Fodhla which irrationally wound me up.
Prob couldn't hear over the barkers!

I'm glad we went to a few but I don't think we would have stuck out one of those full programmes. I imagine it's very dependent on the dog the owner and the training provider tbh! Sorry that doesn't help at all does it?

If you're already a doggy person with experience then I wouldn't think it necessary. We were kind of clueless and she was... Challenging.

 

[Denali]

I think it depends. I’ve never brought my dog to puppy classes but I am a competent trainer and had other ways to socialize him. The good ones are worth it if you’re a bit shaky on things and don’t have a controlled environment to social the pup.

 

[gallopingby]

It will be good to get out and meet other dogs, whether you do this through ring craft, training or vet practice ‘puppy parties’ is your choice, but l always make sure l know who else is likely to be there and that the people in charge are either properly qualified or suitably experienced over very many years.

 

[CorvusCorax]

If you want to do IGP, join an IGP club. A lot of the stuff people learn at puppy or basic obedience classes, me and people like me have to help them unlearn or train over the top of.

 

[Teaselmeg]

I think the right classes are a great idea and good for reminding you to do some daily training. Avoid any that have more that 6 ish puppies in a class and not on a shiny, slippery floor of a village hall. Avoid free for all puppy parties, they are awful.

Socialising is best done with nice adult dogs and is not only meeting other dogs, but learning about noisy traffic, busy areas, meeting new people etc etc.

 

[druid]

I feel like IGP is pretty specialised, I'd try find a (GOOD) trainer and start classes ASAP

 

[Jenko109]

While we are on the subject.

When I was very young, probably about 12 or so, we got our first puppy as a family. A labrador.

I wanted to take him to puppy classes at our local church. Sounds like a responsible thing to do and as a family new to puppies, having only had a very easy rescue lurcher previously, we thought it was the correct thing to do.

We had owned a dog before, but we weren't dog people at that stage. I'm sure that makes sense.

Anyway, we went to this class in a church hall with probably another nine or so other puppies in the class.

I don't remember too much of it, but I recall everyone being told to let their puppies off lead and let them play. Then after a minute or two, try and call them back

We didn't end up going back. Somehow, despite being very inexperienced dog owners, we recognised how absolutely, absurdly ridiculous it was.

But not every owner is going to recognise it as a problem. Especially those new puppy owners who think they are taking responsible steps. It sets dogs up to fail and it sets owners up to fail.

 

[maisie06]

Zazu is coming home tomorrow!

Super excited, but one of the biggest questions my family and friends have had for me is: "have you found some puppy classes yet?"

I started looking a while ago, but couldn't find any locally that I'm desperate to look at. The breeder has a fairly negative view as they can be a free for all and a bit of a nightmare, he believes that you're better of socialising in multiple environments rather than using puppy classes. On Wednesday I picked up a crate for the car who trains and competes labs at open level Field Trials. He has the same opinion as Zazu's breeder and his belief is that the majority of puppy training classes are similar to asking a kid to do their homework while watching their mates play games.

My dad on the other hand is really pushing for me to take her to classes, so is my sister and so is a close friend.

I'm not sure. I'm not convinced that they're the be all and end all, but a lot of the local ones to me come across as being very fluffy in any of their advertising and it puts me off I've found a class about an hour away with a training group that specialise in working dogs, but I'm not sure whether that's fair on a pup?

Would really appreciate your input, and if anyone has any recommendations near Banbury/Daventry it would be greatly appreciated!

Not for me I'm afraid, the one around here are all fur baby pet parent affairs...with pups running amok in a free for all and learning to ride a skateboard... Mine get taken for pub lunches and sitting outside the supermarket watching the world go by, wandering around pet shops etc, then at home we start doing basics and palceboards , at around 6 months they join classes at our Gundog club - my youngest sat to shot this morning - proud moment!

 

[Clodagh]

So Zazu must be home!? Update OP!

 

[Denali]

And pictures please!

 

[Morwenna]

I did two puppy classes. One was a life skills type class with a trainer I know and was held in an indoor training barn. The other was with the gundog trainers I still train with and was held in a field. Both taught useful basic skills and I wanted to get her used to working around other dogs and in different environments and having controlled contact with other dogs. I actively avoided the local village hall class. As others have said, anything where everyone lets their puppies off the lead at the same time was just a big no from me.

 

[gunnergundog]

If your aim is IGP and you're prepared to travel Allyson Tohme in Wilts would be a good starting point. https://www.itraindogs.uk/clientinfo.php?judge=0000012