Survived our first puppy class

[Anastasia]

We had our first puppy class today and the good news is that all 6 puppies in the class are 11 and 12 weeks old so they are all the same age. The sad news (for me) was the realization that my boy Jack is afraid of all of them!! He loves all the people and when the puppies were playing he was hiding behind anyone he could. He did spend some time on the sidelines watching but there is an overly energetic lab puppy that is all over the place and Jack is terrified of him. This puppy was just to much for all of the puppies and the trainer would tell his owner to pull him off and sort of redirect him from time to time but at one point a Fox Terrier corrected the lab with a little push back and growl. It was short and sweet and no big deal but during the second play period the terrier just went off on the lab, it was at that point that my DH looked at the trainer and said he has to correct him because no one else did. The lab was really over the top and Jack looked like he was considering making friends with the terrier and the 3 other smaller dogs in the class but he can't get more than a minute with them when the lab bursts in and ruins the moment. This little lab is just so over exuberant that it puts a crimp in the class for the rest of the dogs. At one point he was on Jack and Jack was scampering to get away, I watched it for about 5 seconds and then I jumped in and grabbed my puppy to let him know he was OK and safe. I probably looked like an overprotective Mama bear but there is no way I'm going to let my perfect GSD get bullied or feel unsafe to the point of becoming a fearful DA GSD.

I am hoping that now that the trainer has seen the dogs and knows what she is dealing with, next week will be better. I am also hoping that Jack will do better with the other dogs as the weeks go by. I honestly don't care if he ever wants to play but I hate for him to feel afraid or uneasy by other dogs.
We'll see how it goes!

[KZoppa]

We had a new class today. 3 pups in the class. A norwegian elkhound puppy 16 weeks old, a terrier mix puppy about 12 weeks old, and a supposed 6 month old GSD pup who actually is probably closer to 4 months. The little terrier is unsure of the other puppies. The Elkhound was so darn excited! the GSD pup was torn between focusing and trying to play. But i'm also seeing this from a trainers perspective.

In another class we have 7 dogs, various ages. a retriever who has absolutely NO focus what so ever except on his foster sister. His foster sister is a small retriever mix terrified of men to the point one looked at her or in her direction and she screamed and hid behind her foster mom. Have an adorable little white mix who stands on her back legs and waves at you. A 6 month old Akbash puppy who is just FULL of silly energy. there's an aussie who is so bored he listens to everyone but his owner. and then there is another student trainer who is handling his neighbors dog and she's this rather large pit bull mix who is so excited to be around the other dogs she cant contain herself and beats everyone she's near to bruising with her tail and she's a whiner. Then we have Pika who is repeating the class. Pika is a westie who hit the teenage stage and has lost all focus unless she can chase something that looks like a mouse or a squirrel.

I'm sure the lab puppy will calm down some if his owners figure out how to handle him. Best i can say is good luck, have fun, and dont forget to do your homework!

[4score]

Our little Walter just went to puppy class too. At the 1st class the exact same thing happened when they gave the pups "free time". There was one pit-mix puppy who acted like he was on meth! It really scared Walter while he was trying to make friends. Thankfully, our instructor pulled the dog away from any dog who obviously didn't want THAT much attention. This dog was literally jumping over the other dogs and never easing up.

I totally agree with your intervention. I would have done the same thing had the instructor not done it.

At the second class, meth-dog wasn't there and things went much smoother. I wish Jack and Walter could have a play day.

[Good_Karma]

Anastasia, your post 100% reminded me of Niko's puppy class!!! Except there were four lab puppies and they all bombarded Niko at once and poor Niko was PETRIFIED!!! The trainers told us to not let him hide behind us and to "tough love" him because he would come around. He NEVER did, eight whole classes and every time he was terrified and trying to escape these dogs. We never stepped in because we were told not to, and on top of that, in order to "encourage" Niko to play, we were asked to leave the room and leave Niko behind (which he HATED!!).

Niko has serious dog fear now. I don't know if the puppy class set the stage for it, or if it is because he has been charged numerous times by aggressive, off-leash dogs, but I'm sure it did not help. If your puppy is not having fun with the other pups, PLEASE DO NOT force him to interact with them like we did. Set up a quieter play date with just one or two calmer puppies. You really want all his interactions with other dogs to be very positive, set him up for a life of seeing other dogs are good things and not scary things.

I'm glad you stepped in and protected your dog. If I could go back and do Niko's puppy classes again, I would have done exactly what you did.

[JakodaCD OA]

been there done that also with a 'free for all' puppy class..

Basically same thing as Leah described. It CAN impact your puppy, it sure did mine

After the 2nd class, no more free play time for Masi, she would mind her own business and there was a golden who just wasn't 'getting it' even during NON play time, after the 3rd class I removed her from the class. It was doing MY puppy absolutely no good being jumped by unruly dogs/puppies..and like I said DID impact her.

Took me awhile to deprogram the "I'm gonna get you before you get me",,attitude that this experience fostered on her..She's fine now, but she's also matured and has good rebound.

BUT, some dogs, like mostly Niko, it can leave a lasting impression.

I would definately do things different as well

[Lialla]

At our very first puppy class during off leash time my pup was hiding under the chair. He was the smallest and all other pups were romping like a herd of crazy bulls. I got the impression that I got a fearful puppy. Thankfully we had a very good trainer, she said not to worry, he will behave completely different by the end of the class and she was right. After several sessions my pup became more confident and started to enjoy playing with other puppies. What the trainer did - she separated my pup and put him together with a less energetic and smaller breed dog during off leash time, my pup was let off leash first and he greeted other dogs when they were calmer, more controllable and he did it in his own pace. Also, they have climbing stairs for dogs in training room and after several sessions my pup was put with all other puppies in class during off leash time, but for him to feel more confident and relaxed he was on top of those stairs and you could see that he felt as a king of a castle Right now Grom is 7 month old and he is like a bull in china shop while playing with other dogs, he is very playful and loves other dogs.