Puppy classes or no? Why do most people take their pups?
 

Hi,

I've been doing a lot of reading and research on puppy classes and wanted to see why they are recommended and why do most people take their pups to class?

I see socialization as being a large part of it, followed by basic training. If I plan on doing a lot socialization and training myself. What would be the need to add puppy classes to the routinte? I'm plan on following the Puppiest 1st night, 1st year plan on socializing and training our pup.

Would love to hear from those who have trained multiple pups, breeders, etc... as to the pro's and con's of attending puppy classes. I can't afford one on one training, so if it's recommended, would be looking into open puppy classes (preferably not at Petsmart/Petco)

Thanks!

A good puppy class normally lets the pups play together for only a very short time and then they're supposed to be paying attention to their handlers. By doing this the pups learn from an early age that being in the same room with other dogs isn't their cue to get all wiggly-butt and crazy everytime they see another dog.
You're also usually dealing with dogs that are approximately the same age and haven't developed too many bad habits yet as opposed to having a 4 month old and 3 year old reactive dog meeting on the street. :)

Puppy classes or no? Why do most people take their pups?
 

I took my girl to puppy K and obedience one. She just turned 10 months. My boy is 4.5 months and he is enrolled is puppy k. I go to an obedience school and have group classes. I've had animals my entire life. But I do feel the classes are vey helpful for many reasons. Your pup needs to listen to you at all times and sometimes in a class one or more of the puppies are acting up so it's great distractions. The socialization, etc. I take my pups with me everyday, luckily I can take them to work so they sleep in my office. Even if I'm going for a quick errand I take them with me.
GSD are a special breed and I feel they need lots of work as puppies to make great dogs!
The more they can be exposed to at a young age the better.
Have fun with your puppy!!



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I've done both, raised puppies without classes and with

Depending on the dog I mostly prefer to do classes. Puppy classes get you a good start, they learn basic skills with puppies their own age, get them used to a class setting, and also the socialization part can be helpful.

I say go for it. I took Karly to puppy class. The first 15 minutes the puppies ran free and played (big pups seperate form little pups). The rest of the time they were on leash while being worked with. We didn't get much obedience training there but she was exposed to other pups and people along with objects and sounds. She was always a different pup after leaving class. By that I mean very well behaved and best of all very tired.

Classes are a controlled, everyone is on the same page, type of environment. Unless you have a lot of friends, that are willing to go through simple obedience stuff with their dog around you and your puppy, you'll have a hard time replicating that type of environment. Socialization could be the standard, let friendly dogs play with your puppy and everyone has a good time. Or it could be, training around other dogs, letting them interact a little, but mostly teaching them that negative reactions to other dogs won't be tolerated and the dog needs to listen no matter what environment its in. It teaches the dog to trust that the handler has everything under control and the other dogs won't hurt the dog.

Try to find a kennel club, or a GSD club around you. Once you join (usually a minimal fee) the classes are very cheap. These clubs run due to volunteers and members pitching in and doing things so they are able to keep fees very low.

I've only had one pup, so not the best person to ask, but I did it for the socialization and to get sort of an intro to the instructor and facility to see if we'd like to continue going there for other classes, like agility, CGC, etc.

I think the biggest benefit is socialization and working around distractions, but I also think one thing our program did (since they do have an agility program) is introduce pups to wobbly boards, a hoop to walk through, etc. just to play with which is just part of socialization, but something at least I would have a hard time replicating at home. And if, like me, sometimes the puppy antics get overwhelming, you can vent with the other owners and get helpful tips!

As others have mentioned the safe socialization aspect of puppy classes there's also the aspect that you are being trained to train your puppy. What you may think you are doing correctly someone observing you and your pup can make good observations and suggestions.

There are also so many different training methods and theories it's always good to get different takes on different methods that you might not have known about. I also think the commraderie of connecting with people that are going through the same things that you and your pup are going through also help. It's also a good way to set up safe puppy playdates, if your are interested.

I am definitely for puppy classes. This is my first dog that is truly mine (parents had dogs growing up) and I found that having someone more experienced than me watching the puppy to be very helpful. They can see things that I might not. It is also great that they know multiple methods so that when the way that you know how to do it doesn't work there is someone there to give you another way to try it.

Plus as everyone else has said the socialization and atmosphere is something that you can't get anywhere else. and its always nice to meet other dog people, your puppy might even make a friend that you can met up with and play with outside of class.

I never took a puppy to classes until Grim. We started when he just turned 6 months and became a punk. He lasted one class.. then got booted because of his barking. He wasn't barking at people or at dogs... it was just to hear himself bark. You can socialize a pup without classes. However, if you want them to learn around distractions early then maybe starting from the beginning is good. Just make sure you have the 'right' trainer for you! If something makes you uncomfortable, then talk to the trainer right away. Don't just do something with your pup because someone else says to. I finally found the best trainer for *my* dog, which is at an SchH club. He's just got too much drive and is the 'wrong age' to try to work around another dog. The distractions are great for proofing, but they really have a hard time actually learning in that environment. Puppies don't have to actually make contact or play with other dogs to be socialize, either. Grim thinks he needs to 'meet and great' every dog he sees, LOL!