Drop-off dog training

[joel.ortega]

Good day everyone, I am seeking some input on the subject of drop-off dog training. Bella is our 13 week old female GSD, she is enrolled in a basic puppy training class at our local PETCO and she is doing great. the issue is that between work, taking college courses, doggie training, home chores, and making sure Bella is properly exercised there isn't much time left in the day to re-inforce her training at home. I am considering enrolling Bella in a program where i would drop her off for 2-3 weeks and she would learn all her basic obedience,socialization,on and off leash walking, and correct the small unwanted puppy behaviors such as play biting, charging at the door.
I would appreciate some thoughts,opinions,suggestions,advice

Thanks
Joel

[TheActuary]

I wouldn't do it. It's important to create a bond with your puppy and you can't do that if she's not with you.

[onyx'girl]

Agree with TheActuary, and the handler needs to be trained as much if not more than the dog. Daily life will teach the dog what you want, not sending it off to a board and train. If you didn't have enough time for a puppy, why did you get one?

This thread posted in the wrong forum?

[doggiedad]

i would train my own dog with the help
of a trainer but drop training is better than no
training. when you have a pup/dog you have
to sacrifice. when my dog was a pup i use to get
up a hour early (4:00 am/4:30 am) to train and play
my guitar before catching a 6:47 am train to work.
my GF got a hour early so she could train before she went
to work. my neighbor would come in every 2 hours to take
care of the pup. my neighbor also trained the pup. when i came
in from work it was change clothes, train the pup, play guitar
and train the pup some more. when my GF got home she did the same
thing. before going to bed train some more. whatever i/we did during
the course of the day included training. you have to make time
for a dog every day.

[msvette2u]

Play biting is going to be a part of your life until she's around 7-8 mos. if not a few mos. longer than that. It's a part of puppy hood.
I agree with the rest.

Training classes are for the human more than the dog

[Castlemaid]

I've notified for it to be moved (can't do it myself).

Joel, the Urgent forum are for dogs that are in urgent need to find an adopter. We'll move your question to a puppy forum, and you'll get more answers that way.

Agree with the others - play biting is something they will grow out of, not something that can be trained out of them in 2 or 3 weeks.

Here's a recent thread with a similar question to yours:
New puppy owner Q..

[gusto]

I am surprised that everyone immediately looks down on people who don't have the time to train their dogs. As someone who works at a board and train facility, I can tell you the dogs in no way are less attached to their people at the end of the training however it is up to the owners to continue reinforcing the commands. We offer Free private lessons for the life of the dog to ensure this happens.

Originally Posted by doggiedad

i would train my own dog with the help
of a trainer but drop training is better than no training.

Well put.

Research the place you are considering using, have them meet your dog before hand. See how they interact with the pup and make sure they lay out realistic goals. Housetraining, chewing, digging, and off leash control can not be guarenteed to transfer to you or your home. Off leash is one of the biggest things we are asked for but it's not for the faint of heart and requires you to have absolute faith in your dog and for your dog to have faith in you.

Good luck to you!

[msvette2u]

Who said "looks down on"? I did not get that feeling at all from the replies.
It's more about the owner learning the same techniques, not expecting drop off training to fix some "problems" that are not really...well, not really problems at all.

[chelle]

I couldn't go that route, but that's only me. 2-3 WEEKS without my dog? Probably sleeping in a run somewhere instead of under my comfy, cozy bed? She's so young, such a baby... no, I could not, could never consider being away from my young puppy pup that long. Besides that, you'd be missing some very highly impressionable periods. To me, it would be about the same as handing over my five year old child.

There just isn't a human being on earth I'd trust with either the dog or the kid at such a young age, for so long. But again, that's just me. Your pup is 13 weeks? Aghh!!! THAT is such A FUN, FUN, FUN AGE! Heck, if I was gonna send my dog away for a few weeks, I'd wait for adolesence. You can have Mr Bails for a couple of weeks if you want!

I'm sorry you're so busy, but you knew that when you got her?

The trainer may make some very nice strides with her, but you'll have to still reinforce those things. Still work with those things. Daily. It isn't a magic fix or pill. You're not going to get away from reinforcing issues at home, which is what you said was your issue. She won't come back perfect.

[katieliz]

jmho...i would be very reluctant to leave my dog(s) with anyone else to train them. is it better than no training...maybe. do lots of people do it...probably. i can't say what others should be comfortable doing, only know what i'm not comfortable doing.