Finding a Good Puppy Class

Posted by Clare Bristow

puppies-playing [tag]Puppy classes[/tag] are great not only for first time dog owners, but second and third time around owners too. The first six months of a puppy's life are invaluable for teaching him good habits - your puppy is a like a sponge at this age, soaking up everything you teach him. Every opportunity you have to socialize him should be taken.

Whilst I made a few mistakes with the class I chose for Zoe, they did provide good support for me. Each week I could offload my frustrations with toilet training progress, chewing, whining, biting etc., and the people I talked to not only understood what I was going through but could empathize too!

So, what do you learn at puppy class, and how do you find a good one?

What your puppy should learn at puppy classes:

[tag]Bite Inhibition[/tag] - your puppy should already have an understanding of this from playing with his litter mates, but once he's in a different environment he may think biting is OK.
Puppies soon learn that if they bit other puppies then there is some consequence - and it's one that hurts.
[tag]Dog Socialization[/tag] - your puppy will learn how to meet and greet other puppies in a safe environment. Shy puppies will learn to gain more confidence around other dogs, and the puppies with bully-boy tenancies learn to be more gentle.
[tag]People Socialization[/tag] - by meeting a wide variety of new people your puppy will learn that strangers are not something to growl at, or cower away from.
Responsiveness to you - through training exercises your puppy should learn to focus on you, and listen to you, despite all the distractions there are around him.

In Summary: good manners, how to be friendly to other dogs and people, and be responsive to you

What to look for in a puppy class:

Personal recommendations from friends, other dog owners, the breeder and your vet are usually the best places to find a puppy class. Ask why the person is recommending the puppy class, and observe their own dogs - does it display behavior you'd like your puppy to learn?
Speak to people who run the class and ask what is covered in the sessions, how many puppies they take, what advice and training they offer. Try to attend a couple of classes before you sign up to get a feel of how they are run and canvass opinions from owners already attending the classes. Look to see if the puppies and their owners are enjoying themselves and learning at the same time.
Where are the classes held - is it a safe enclosed environment with clean floors and plenty of mops and buckets to keep it that way during the class?
Whilst puppies should be vaccinated before attending classes, you don't want to run the risk of your puppy picking up a disease from a dirty floor.
What happens during the class - there should be a good mixture of playing and training, about 50:50.
Try to avoid classes where it's a free for all play session for the puppies. In these situations you'll find the shy puppies become shyer and the bullies get worse.
This is the mistake I made - I attended classes with Zoe's litter sister and two brothers, and they basically chased each other around the hall like hoodlums. Zoe and her sister were the bosses of the litter, and this environment just exasperated the situation. Zoe still has her moments of being a bit of a bully - when she gets the opportunity - and I don't think the puppy classes, and I, discouraged that behavior enough at the time!
Advice and training - you should learn some training basics such as sit, stand and down, grooming tips, basic first aid, how to meet and greet other dogs and people, and leash walking. Your instructor should be knowledgeable on a wide range of breeds, and be open for questions.

Good classes get booked up well in advance so if you find one you like make sure you enrol as soon as you can.

You should find the classes fun, informative, supportive and motivating; if you aren't, discuss it with your instructor and if that doesn't resolve the problems you are experiencing, find another class to attend.

I made some great friendships through puppy class, and I still meet up with some of the owners at a local dog park almost three years later - and our dogs greet each other like long lost friends!

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