Your Puppy Preschool Experiences

[jenz0r]

LIKED:

that in the first week the trainer went around the circle of owners asking them what breed they have, what they thought their breed was originally designed for, making sure they knew the origins and what to expect from the dogs temperament and anything else to expect that may be of relevance

the general information regarding vaccinations, ticks/flea medicine and nutrition - great for first time owners even though we knew it already!

that the class was structured with the learning, each commant taught in increments once the first had been mastered or nearly mastered

that each week every puppy had a chance to show off what the had practised the week prior and could now do on command

that one puppy at a time was allowed off lead for a sniff around the vet clinic and for a "Recall" back to the owner after a couple of minutes

DISLIKED

that the trainer is purely positive (didnt entirely work for our amstaff) - maybe should have mentioned that some corrections may be necessary with very stubborn / mischievous pups that arent put off by us ignoring bad behaviour

that very new first time owners took up a lot of time with questions - trainer should have delegated time after class for in-depth question / answers

all in all a pretty good socialisation experience and good for first timers but now that we already know the deal, we will only be taking our next pup thru it for the socialisation with puppies of different breeds

[dogdayz]

Have recently completed a 4 week puppy school with my new pup....should add i train and compete with my other two dogs but felt this new pup needed a bit of extra socialisation, so that was my primary objective over really learning anything.

The school i went to (recommended by cosmolo on here i believe) i found better than i anticipated, having heard the horror stories of puppy schools. It was in an unusually huge empty room at a vet practice. It was the typical basic commands stuff, but they were encouraging to people and did not mind that i did not use their 'taught technique' for somethings, e.g. i lure my stand rather than physically support the dog in a stand.

They discussed things like crate training in a positive way, diet they discouraged canned and said raw was best, but they didnt give you the usual vet thing of 'buy food X from us'.

There was no off lead free for alls, the first week the dogs were seperated by size/sociability type into small groups of about 4 and interacted on-lead...discouraging dominating behaviours. Following weeks all class loose lead walked and interacted, again preventing the jumping ons etc.

So overall while i personally did not gain much knowledge Im sure the new owners would have and it was an enlightened information that was given....it was positive for my pup hence i did attend the full 4 weeks. Final week not many showed up but instructor was summarising each pups personality and was much what i would have picked of each pup.

My only negative was it wasnt same instuctor each week...so some overlap week to week in what was taught. One other positive is they do have continuation calsses of different sorts/levels, which i expect my keep a few training rather than going home and never attending another class.

[FionaC]

We are at week 3 of a 4 week puppy pre-school with Mort and we're really enjoying it.

There were 7 dogs at the beginning (all purebreds with 6 large breeds and 1 mini poodle) ... they gave us a book with the run downs of each class and homework each week, we were taught things like - how to handle/groom, clipping nails, diet, exercise (especially with large breeds), socialisation, vaccinations and we went through the basics for training. In the first week they let 2 off at a time for some leash free run around but we had to leave the leads on and we were asked to grab our pup every 20 seconds or so and say "gotcha" just to make it less tense ... the little poodle didn't get leash free time with the bigger dogs but she got to go around by herself whilst the others were on their mats.... 2nd week they all got a few minutes off lead together and they had a ball, the quieter ones went by themselves whilst Mort and another little boy Archie played like little boofheads!

Our classes are outside so there is plenty of space... we all had to do a presentation on our breed this week including the negatives which was really interesting and each week we get something (first week it was the worming/flea pack, 2nd week it was a grooming comb, this week it was a toy)

The trainer has spoken about desexing (1 member of our group has plans to BYB her GSD's ) and general health care but there has been no selling of products, food etc

Its been quite enjoyable, Mort hasn't learnt anything really as we were already doing the sit/stay/fetch/drop etc before we started but it has been great socialisation for him and we have met some really nice people who live locally and we're set up a few playdates for the pups as they enjoy each others company and we all know that a tired dog is a good dog and if you can get someone else's dog to tire them out then thats even better

[Cosmolo]

Oops sorry Willow * slinks away feeling unwanted*

[boxerbob]

I attended my second night of a 5 week puppy school course run by a local obedience group last night. The first night was sign-on without the pups which I thought was a good idea. It allowed for us to get the paperwork done quickly and then we had a briefing with the instructor of what was required, rules, equipment etc. and then Q and A time. We even got a hand-out of the first lessons' activities.

Overall I was quite happy with it. There were 8 pups and thankfully they were all roughly the same size but the ages ranged from 12 weeks to 17weeks. It's all food and praise rewards based training so we were shown how to train pup to gently take the food reward from our hand. Once that was taught we then used the reward of food (and praise) to get their attention, sit, drop, walk beside on a leash and to calm a pup which my boxer and I failed dismally at, lol.

It was almost all on leash work with some small time outs for play. There was one off leash play time but it was well done. The 8 pups and their owners were put in a small fenced area no larger than a standard bedroom I guess with some toys. Half of the pups were let off the leashes to roam around at will while the other half where still with their owners on a leash. The owners were encouraged to pat the loose pups as they moved around. The leashed dogs could only watch on unless a pup came over to it. Then they would swap over. Apart from a young child been allowed into the pen and then being pushed over by an over exited boxer (*raises my hand as the owner that animal) it was a civilized interaction. Why would you allow your child in there? The instructed should have seen that coming and insisted the child remain outside. That was my only gribe.

It was very well run, they didn't push any products on to us but had lots of simple clear advise and homework for us to do before next week. The club has been around for years so I have no doubt they know what they are doing and do it well.

[Guest Willow]

Oops sorry Willow * slinks away feeling unwanted*

I'm sure you'll cope with the harsh rejection!!!

This is great guys, lots of great feedbeack....exactly what I was after (am compiling a "big list" of client likes/dislikes)....keep 'em coming!!!

[Crysti_Lei]

i have told you about mine before, Willow, but will again because i am procrastinating

you already know where i went and the nurse who ran the class. it was mostly a free for all, and Herbie learnt a huge value for other dogs rather than learning to mostly ignore them.

and the info we got was "this is what your dog NEEDS, and it is exactly what we sell"

there wasn't enough emphasis on desexing either, just a quick mention that the clinic does it and the costs.

[Ons]

I enjoyed going to puppy school but I think it would have been better if it was 4 weeks not 3. Tilly was by far the biggest puppy there but she was scared of all the other puppies except she started playing with a pup at the end of the 3rd week. she loved all the people though especially the little girls. There was free play, then we learnt sit, stand, down, discussed any problems, more free play, more lesson work and then free play. No puppies were allowed to bully or corner any other puppy.

It was at the vets surgery out the back so the pups could get used to that situation, run by the vet nurse but the vets would come out and talk as well. on the last night the pups were put on a table for an examination and given bbq chicken so they would experience positive. Even today if we are at that vets Tilly peers out the back and wags her tail in hope

I thought it was well run and had positive experiences. This was my first puppy school, although I have owned dogs before I have never lived in a town with puppy school when I have had a puppy but I still learnt things

[Raven]

Our class included large and small breeds.

I found that the bullies were lab puppies. At the

end they had to be restrained for the entire class so the others

could play peacefully

[Odin-Genie]

I'm wondering why they don't have puppy classes for small and giant breeds seperate as their would be quite some size difference going on. If I were to own a small breed (never would though!) I don't think I would be keen on taking it to classes with much larger pups around.

It's important for large breeds to learn how to behave around small dogs, and for small dogs to get used to large breeds......I won't allow big dogs to jump on little dogs, but they can learn important lessons on how to behave around smallies without being allowed off lead play with them.

I had only 3 pups in Odin's PPS. He was the biggest and most boistrous one. However, the trainer handled the sessions so well that Odin never had the chance to bully the other puppies (who were half his size). All play was closely supervised, and this trained Odin so well that now when I take him to the dog park, owners of small dogs tell me that Odin plays so well with their small dogs. So, yes, a mixed group is definitely better.

Needless to say, I was extremely happy with Odin's PPS, and took Genie to the same trainer and recommend her to everyone.

[luvsdogs]

PPS wasn't around when I got April. In Jan 2001 we took Sooty my son's puppy to the one run by our vet. It was a 3 week course & had 3 puppies. Sooty & a boxer, both same size & an American cocker. Sooty was scared the 1st week & spent the class under our chairs watching the other 2 play. The boxer started to corner the cocker & they were put back on lead. The next week Sooty started out under the chair, but watching the other 2 play, she slowly came out & joined in. So now there were 2 puppies cornering the cocker.

My son only went on the 1st week & I finished the last 2 weeks. I didn't find it a very good class because all the vet nurse talked about was looking after puppies. Health, vaccinations, feeding, worming, desexing & dental care. She did show us around the pens they use in the hospital. We were given free samples of dog food, worming tablets & shampoo sachets. I've been a volunteer instructor at my obedience club sinse 1996 & had dogs all my life & didn't get much out of it. She did show us how to get the pups to sit & drop. That was the only training.

When I got Tilba in April I wasn't going back to our vets although now they run a 4 week course.

Two of the instructors at my obedience club run puppy pre school so I took her there. It was in another vet practice & went for 4 weeks. We were given a booklet in week one on the entire course & weekly sheets to practice between classes. There were 8 puppies varying in size from a rather big lab pup to a tiny little terrier. The 1st week we were told how dogs learn & shown a couple of exercises & asked to demonstrate. Each week we were asked to bring something to class from week 2. A toy, dog mat, comb or brush. Week 3 we all had to bring something different. I had to bring a big hat. A couple of others brought fresh herbs from their garden, someone else a skateboard & a few other things. We were asked to do something with our items by showing them to the puppies to see if they reacted to them. Over the weeks the instructors had squeeky toys etc & would sound them to see if the pups took any notice, which they didn't.

The puppies were encouraged to walk over different surfaces that were laid down on the floor. On weeks 3 & 4 2-3 puppies were allowed off lead & food treats were scattered around the floor for them to find.

On the 4th week the vet gave a talk on everything she thought we needed to know on dog care, feeding, desexing & vaccinations.

On the whole it was a much better run course than the previous 1 I had been to.

We were also shown how to get the puppies to do basic obedience commands using food rewards. The 1st week we had our photo taken with our pup & were presented with a lamanated Graduation certificate with our photo in the corner.

We do much the same things in more detail at my obedience club's beginner class, but I went to PPS to continue Tilba's socialisation.

[Rusky]

I get told what people liked and disliked regularly. I will ask over the next few days, hold it in my brain and PM you. I dislike that many people who come to class with 14 month or older dogs didn't think there was anywhere else to go unless they signed up for more training costing a whole heap of cash. For that reason many just do PPS, their dog grows, gets out of control and then we have a problem. I wish all PPS would make alternative suggestions. A lot of vet clinics do, it is the franchise which don't and it gives me the whoopsies.

[black magic]

Scout and I went to two different puppy preschools. Class 1 and class 2 were very different.

Class 1 was run by a local vet clinic and class 2 at a vet clinic but by an independent trainer.

I liked class 2 better, and I think Scout enjoyed class 2 the most as well.

Class 1 was a bit off free for all and Scout got roughed up a bit the second time we went. I found that after that class, she begun to run for cover under everyone’s chairs during off lead time. (And she is one of those rough labs , but it got too much for her) As a first time dog owner I did find the info on flea’s ticks and all that important, but a booklet would have been just as handy to refer to and read up at home.

Class 1 gave the dogs kongs and greenies to keep them busy during the talks (we were far enough away from each other to not have any food issues between the dogs) which resulted in the class keeping pretty quiet and was a nice idea, kind of made you feel like they were not just worried about just making money from the classes.

I loved everything about class 2 they taught us practical stuff, which would happen in everyday situations, like when you're out walking your dog. He taught us how to let the dogs meet on lead, and how to avoid getting tangled up together. He set up obstacle courses that we had to lead our dogs around, including up ramps, onto boxes, down ramps, sitting in a target area. I found this gave us a good foundation for walking on a lead rather than just pulling your dog to where you wanted them to go.

We did exercises like what we would face if we were out at a cafe or on a picnic with our dogs. We had to sit in a chair and ask our puppies to sit or lay next to us, then pretend to drink a cup of water, without any interferance from our pups.

There was a huge focus on getting the dogs ready for vet examinations, getting them used to having ears and feet touched and tail being lifted.

Lots of work that helped establishes a connection between puppy and owner. they were lo very small classes.

He had his very sensible well trained 6yo dog with him which he did alot of demonstrating with, and which the puppies got to hang out with.

It was great.

A very dedicated trainer who you could see loved dogs very much. You got the feeling that the reward for him in his job was seeing happy owners and dogs rather than money in his pocket for e.g. before even paying for or attending the first class I emailed him with a problem I had with Scout and he called me on my mobile that evening and talked to me for about half an hour on how to approach the issue. I couldn't have got a better 2nd experience.

[Teebs]

I ended up taking over my last PPS class

sounds like a story there TB....please do share!!!

Sorry, just saw this.

The first time i ever went was in 2000, with Dukey, i was 18, and cant remember much!

I went again in 2003 with Atlas, he was MY first dog, and a total bully (as Bull Terriers seem to be at times!) The instructor was hopeless, i would go to get At for picking on a pup, and she would tell me to stop, and let him keep going, that the pup that was scared will tell him off when it was ready...

After I got Atlas i started reading up on training, and went to classes. So when Kaos came along, i knew much more.

I had already had kaos sitting and everything, jusst wanted it for her to socialise, i knew she was on the verge of being dog agro and wanted her out with other dogs ASAP (sadly it didnt work) anyways, there was one dog there that kaos LOVED, so the only time she got free time to play was when the little cattle dog was there, the rest of the time i would hold her while others played.

They were teaching a sit, few people couldnt work out how to do it, she got me up and got me to do it with kaos, she sat right away... so next thing i know i am at the front teaching others how to do it! Same with the drop and heal, I didnt mind - but was a bit pissed that i was still expected to pay, when I was teaching them all!!

[:ange:]

I haven't read everyone's replies so I might be repeating..

I took Ruby to PPS when she was 12 weeks old (Terrorbull I know your from Orange.. you didn't take over our class so I'm assuming it wasn't you!!)

I didn't enjoy it all that much to be honest. I basically went to get Ruby socialisation with other puppies. Over the 4 weeks ***** socialization course (which cost $50) the pups got to play - that is be near each other - only twice. The rest of the time we had to have them sitting on their mats quiety while we listened to the trainer rattle on about what was right and was was wrong about raising a dog - to quote - "I will remove the dog from you if I ever see you using a choke chain on them". I was thoroughly annoyed.. Trying to keep a puppy quiet (especially a Weimaraner) for an hour was just too much to ask for. All they wanted to do was play!

Glad when the 4 weeks were over.

What I thought would have been better -

more interaction.

[Teebs]

I haven't read everyone's replies so I might be repeating..

o quote - "I will remove the dog from you if I ever see you using a choke chain on them". I was thoroughly annoyed..

more interaction.

ahh, you went to theVet with Delta? ?

Edited October 11, 2008 by Terrorbull

[:ange:]

ahh, you went to theVet with Delta? ?

yarrr...

[crazy_puppy]

I hated my puppy school, It was at a vet clinic close to work.

They pre poned it a week and never told us, until I called to confirm dates. They changed the times as well without letting us know, so I missed the first session.

Once I was there, I wasn't very fond of the the trainer. He was this really old boring guy, he basically talked and we listened. I didn't get the feeling that he actually loved the animals...more like, "ok look dog just sit already, ok good, now go away".

No play time for dogs, just a quick sniff.

He taught us basic commands, at least tried to. His obedience training wasn't always helpful, didn't always work. Some of the methods worked for some of the small toy breeds, not so much my growing hyperactive BC!!! He told me that I needed to teach Max to be more calm, in my head I was thinking "well isn't that why I'm here?!". He also snapped at one of the pups owners, coz he kept barking at another pup, it was annoying but it wasn't their fault, they were already doing everything they could to keep him quiet...and the trainers "can you shut up him up please!!" didn't help the situation and I thought it was quite rude.

I didn't go back to the last two!!

[Kirov_grrl]

I enjoyed our puppy classes with our very first dog.

I think the best bit was the freebies we got at the end of each class - haha.. you know me Willow - anything for something free

But we got different things each week - samples of different treats, shampoos, toys, and.. other stuff.... pamphlets etc.

We got a booklet also, which was pretty good, coz it was mostly a "free-for-all" play session for the dogs, and REALLY hard to concentrate on what the vet nurse was saying.... so yer - not good there (first time owners!!!)

Its also hard to know what you don't know - specially when its your first time.... so being a bit more broad about topics would have been better - but..... I didn't know that at the time

It was good, as my dog now loves the vets - and she remembers the nurses/smells etc...... - although we've changed vets a couple of times now!! (moving etc)

[Dogsfevr]

I'm wondering why they don't have puppy classes for small and giant breeds seperate as their would be quite some size difference going on. If I were to own a small breed (never would though!) I don't think I would be keen on taking it to classes with much larger pups around.

Big & small all have to learn how to interact with each other & done correctly it works very well.

My setters(42kg) adult males walk around with our 7 week old mini pups/My big dogs are taught how to behave with little(must lay down to play) & the littlies are taught not to torment big dogs.All sizes should have equal manners & the only way o do this is by being around them.

I have never been & never will but what i do find is the free for alls are fine BUT the owners arent taught how to switch there dogs off/Many take pup for the free all,then the dog park for a free for all & then thinks "free for all" is the accepted behaviour.

Whilst playing is crucial i do think emphasis needs to be placed on Free for all doesnt exist all day .

Big & small co existing because it was done early & properly.Grey old /pups 4 weeks