Puppy classes?

Rana

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Hi all, my first post in here so hope you don't mind a silly question :)

Having had horses and cats for years, I have now joined the world of dog ownership and bought a puppy. She's called Poppy, she's a Yorkie Russell (mostly JR!), and she's 9.5 weeks old.

She's going in for her 2nd vaccs next week, after which I was planning on taking her to puppy classes. Unfortunately the most convenient one has now been cancelled. So here's my question - are puppy classes worth it? Do I travel further to another venue? None of the classes are at convenient times/places, but I'm happy to rearrange things to be able to get there if Pops would benefit from it.

I know socialisation is important - and we've been doing that. She comes *everywhere* with me - stables, work, feed shop, fence judging. She's carried everywhere, and when we're fence judging, she sits on a large blanket and we're careful that she doesn't come into contact with other dogs. When she is ready to meet other dogs, there are plenty of well behaved dogs at the stables.

She's very confident, has met literally 100's of people (she's so adorable, everyone wants a cuddle!), travels well and is proving to be very trainable.

So come on HHOers, help me decide on the pros and cons of puppy classes please :D
 

Bettyboo222

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In my opinion puppy training classes are unnnessacairy ( can't spell sorry) unless you want to show your pup with my mate breeds dogs and I help out sometimes they train the pups stay, sit ect from home just do there isn't as much pressure on the pup but some local vets run socialisation classes which are worth it because not only does you puppy get well socialised but you meet new people
 

Ranyhyn

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I have to disagree BB, puppy classes are very neccessary! I have met many, many dogs that have been badly socialised, can't be trusted with strangers, aren't trained properly etc and TBH this is almost always down to a bad upbringing. I think if more people put a little more effort into their pups at the start, we'd have a lot more "good" dogs running around.

I took my two to puppy classes and they can be trusted with anyone, they are friendly with other dogs and are very well behaved for relatively young dogs. That has a lot to do with the early training they received and moreover puppy classes are fun!!
 

MurphysMinder

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Ditto, I think all pups should go to puppy classes, no matter how experienced the owner. Of course you can train them to sit, stay etc at home, but teaching them to do it when there are loads of other dogs distracting them is a different matter, plus they are fun.:D
 

Jake10

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It depends I took my first puppy to classes. Complete waste of time didn't allow pups to interact and their training methods were less than desirable (KC good citizens award- never again!). Trained other dog my self using better methods (positive reinforcement, short very active/rewarding sessions) and he's a star can take him anywhere. Recently took both to uni dog training lectures to improve my handling and introduce them to higher level obedience/agility with good results :D
 

galaxy

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I'd REALLY recommend finding another class... there are usually loads in an area, you just need to do a bit of investigation.

There is a huge difference between the training you do at home and what you need out and about in the real world. The real world is full of excitement and distractions.... As is puppy classes!! She'll learn that she has to listen you you all the time, even when something else looks more exciting!

There are things at our training that I just couldn't have recreated at home. Walking past another dog and ignore it, ro sit there while another walks past. You can't practise that out and about because you can't rely on others peoples dogs being well behaves (and IME they aren't!). Recall in all situations, or when another dog is running the other way! As well as down, wait, stay, walking to heel etc etc.

A friend of mine has a 2 yr old GSP and when I said I took mine to training they said, oh we just did our training at home. We go out for walks together and they were shocked at the diffference in obedience between the 2 of them. There's wasn't "bad" as such, just not as easy to be around as my boy (who is just 8 months old and hitting the teenage stage so no saint trust me!) They have just got a new puppy and are starting to take him to classes this week!

It is a lot of fun too!!
 

Shutterbug

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We also have a new puppy, almost 11 weeks old, getting his second jags tomorrow and ready for walkies and puppy classes the week after. He is booked into classes, has been since the day we brought him home - I do think they are very important and unless you have a very good idea on how to train and socialise the puppy yourself, an absolute necessity to ensure a well behaved obedient and respecful adult dog.
 

CorvusCorax

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There are no cons to taking your dog to a good class - BB, are you serious?!

Socialisation is the main thing - not EVERYONE, like myself, has instant access to other dogs whenever I want, living rural - the other thing is, not matter how good or experienced you *think* you are, there is always a fresh pair of eyes. We all have bad habits and make mistakes which we then blame on the dog :p
 

Booboos

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A good puppy class is essential! It should include elements of socialisation, a bit of training and fun playing with other puppies.

It's brilliant you have all these opportunities to socialise your puppy, it sounds like an ideal environment for her, but a positive, reward-based puppy class, in addition to everything else, will help you with suggestions of other things to try and inspiration for training. Also, imagine a room full of puppies...what could be better?!!!!
 

Rana

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Thanks everyone :) There's 1 class in particular that's been recommended so will go with that one and see how we get on.

I'll report back, hopefully with pics once I work out how to reactivate my photobucket account lol
 
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