Pet Lovers

[ccassaday]

Also the classes are more for the human. None of these classes will work if you don't do the exercises at home and work with your dog.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@Nadine wrote:

Last night was Logans first class. We were the only large breed there, everyone else had small puppies. Logan weighs 40 lbs so he was so much bigger. People get a little nervous when a 40 lb puppy is nose to nose with their 4 lb yorkie. Of couse that shouldn't happen if you keep control and don't let them get that close.

He did well I don't follow directions that good so I was more of a problem then LOgaan was.

Have any of you done puppy classes and how did it work out?

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@Nadine  This is one of the best things you can do for you, your dog, and anyone else who might be around your dog.  I joke about our dog needing remedial obedience training.  Our Golden Retriever attended with his prior owner and didn't do so well.  She laughingly said, "he's a blonde", LOL.  After we adopted him, we returned to the same place for obedience classes for a couple of reasons; 1. the foundation was there, 2. DH and I thought WE needed it so we'd all be on the same page and know how to handle/control our dog, 3. the trainer/facility was well respected in the region (even though we had to drive 40 mins. to get there).  Our dog wasn't a new puppy (10 mos. when we began) and was larger than most of the other dogs except for the Great Dane in the same class.  He did very well except the time he stopped and pooped in front of every one  (but a couple others did that over the course of the class too).  The one thing I can't stress enough to you is to do your homework and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE at home during the week, several times a day.  DH and I came to the realization that this was most likely the reason our boy didn't do so well the first time around was because the family he was with was too busy and didn't work with him enough.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@ladyroxanne wrote:

may i ask at what age can you start obedience classes?  we have 2 long haired chihuahua females that are almost 3 months.  i think these two need to train either privately or group. 

i've never had to go this route before with my dogs.

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Most classes will not let you start till they have finished the puppy shots, usually at 16 weeks.  It will be difficult working with 2 at the same time.  Be prepared to crate them so you can work with each one individually.  Puppy classes usually start with the very basics, house breaking, jumping, walking on leash and the sit commands.  Depending on where you go, they will determine if they are ready to advance or still need more work to master the skills.  At that age I like the group setting.  While it may seem chaotic at times, the trainer can learn a lot about each dogs personality and your handling skills.  Besides at that age they need to be around other dogs for socialization and in a class it is a controlled situation.

[athenian]

Yes, with my first beagle.  The dog everyone, including the instructor, was afraid of was a chihuahua.

My big guy, who weighed 85 pounds, was best friends with a pug.  I think big dogs look intimidating but are usually gentle giants.

[2blonde]

I wish my next door neighbor would take her rescued pit bull mix for training.  That dog is aggressive, and if she ever manages to break free on her leash (the woman is struggling to hold the dog back), there could be serious consequences.  I live in a condo where there are always people walking dogs and kids out playing.

[feline groovy]

FYI, Logan is actually a giant breed - a Great Dane.

Good boy, Logan!  

[ladyroxanne]

@CrazyDaisy

thank you for your valuable info and for respondiing to me!

[ladyroxanne]

@athenian

LOL

[SeaMaiden]

One of the best things puppy classes help with is how your dog reacts in public.  When I am on my walk with my Golden, she is just walking along nicely, and across the street another person is walking their dog who is barking and growling and straining on the leash to attack my dog!   Lola just looks at them going biserk....and keeps on walking.  Lola knows not to react like that. I can always tell when someone else's dog did not have training. 

[Nadine]

We're going to a training center called What A Great Dog. Puppies can start the first Manner ! up until 16 weeks. He just turned three months yeasterday.

They require the first two vaccines but not the third to start.

Logan is getting so big and he has bursts of energy, biting on feet, jeans whatever. That's one thing we really need to get under control.

My hubbie has a friend that took his puppy to a training place where you leave them. He was there for three weeks. I can't imagine doing that.

I'm telling you Logan did way better then I did at the class last night. For some reason my taking directions is lacking.

When we got there last night traffic was terrible and we got there about one minute before class started. I didn't have time to walk him for a couple of minutes before we went in. While I was checking in he peed a gallon I swear. I went to get the wipe up things and figured out that they cater to little dogs because I needed a bunch of paper towels not what they had. The girl finally told me to go ahead to class and they would clean it up. Not a good start.