Puppy School Recomendation.

[luffy4688]

Hi, I've got a 8 week old corgi who's had his 1st vaccination with the 2nd 1 due in 2 weeks. I'm looking for a puppy school around the St Kilda area. A bit of travelling wouldn't hurt as I've got a car.

On top of that, I would like some advice on when to start puppy class. I've read that 8 weeks is a good time to start but since it has not received it's 2nd vaccination, should I and do I have to wait till the 2nd vac?

[luffy4688]

Just an update.

I've checked out a couple of puppy school but most don't seem to run until early September. Those I could find that has regular classes are

Malvern Vet

RSPCA Burwood

K9 Coach Burwood

Has anyone been to these 3?

[Nekhbet]

I dont live around there so I cannot really recommend on that front

in the mean time remember that in the next 4 weeks to socialise him as much as possible. If he is small enough, carry him in a bag or in your arms so he learns sights and smells of the world (not with and near random dogs or high doggy # areas)

take him for car rides often, especially around traffic, trucks etc

turn up the television so he learns about loud noises

take him to friends who have well friendly, vaccinated/dont go regularly to dog club dogs

offer him different things from around the house to investigate and learn about.

you live in an apartment don't you? owning a corgi I would be investing in a treadmill and teaching him about that in a few months time as well. They are herding dogs and need to keep their minds active so leaving him at home alone having a TV/radio on would be a good idea too.

[luffy4688]

I dont live around there so I cannot really recommend on that front

in the mean time remember that in the next 4 weeks to socialise him as much as possible. If he is small enough, carry him in a bag or in your arms so he learns sights and smells of the world (not with and near random dogs or high doggy # areas)

take him for car rides often, especially around traffic, trucks etc

turn up the television so he learns about loud noises

take him to friends who have well friendly, vaccinated/dont go regularly to dog club dogs

offer him different things from around the house to investigate and learn about.

you live in an apartment don't you? owning a corgi I would be investing in a treadmill and teaching him about that in a few months time as well. They are herding dogs and need to keep their minds active so leaving him at home alone having a TV/radio on would be a good idea too.

Yes. I live in an apartment. I have plans to move to a house with a yard early next year, but it's not finalised yet. Me, my partner and sister have divided our weekly time so that he will get an everyday walk once he is given the all clear. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Would definitely give him car rides. Planning to introduce him to the vacuum cleaner tomorrow.

[Sky_Mel]

I have been to the RSPCA one in Burwood and was not happy with it.

I did go about 1.5yrs ago so it may have changed, I did write a letter to the RSPCA regarding how unhappy I was with their puppy classes and they did inform me they would be changing this so hopefully it is better now.

When I did it puppies were not allowed to look at each other or play with each other and I was really annoyed over it as I did enroll for the socialisation.

We didn´t finish the course and I went to another school to do puppy school and they were fantastic but unfortunately no longer in business.

Again though it may be different and it may have just been the teacher we had

[SmoothieGirl]

The Hobson's Bay Vet Clinic run them very regularly if your vet doesn't run one. They were happy to take puppies that had had their first vacc's. Generally on Tuesday or sometimes Monday evenings.

There is also a puppy course you can do at Hairy Hounds in Williamstown, but I've never been there so can't comment on its quality. Its a longer course with the intent on starting the pup on its way to being a good community citizen, think they run their classes on Sundays.

A little drive for you, but not far at all really.

[Scouty]

Try command.

Basil runs it.

I went to the burwood one. I had no problem with this training.

Plus we bought a lifetime membership at it was great.

Not sure if its on the web, hand on

http://www.dogtraining.com.au/

good luck

Scout

[luffy4688]

Try command.

Basil runs it.

I went to the burwood one. I had no problem with this training.

Plus we bought a lifetime membership at it was great.

Not sure if its on the web, hand on

http://www.dogtraining.com.au/

good luck

Scout

Thanks for the great referral Scouty! Looks good. I think I might go for Command. But before I enrol, I realise there are both indoor and outdoor classes. Is there any difference between having the school indoors and outdoors?

Thanks Mel and Shel for the fantastic posts as well.

ABC Dog Training

Anyone heard or been this?

Edited August 16, 2009 by luffy4688

[SmoothieGirl]

But before I enrol, I realise there are both indoor and outdoor classes. Is there any difference between having the school indoors and outdoors?

This is probably personal preference, but at baby puppy age if its outdoors, best to make sure its not on public land. If it is, you will need to consider that after their first vacc they are not fully immunised. Indoor may be a more controlled situation, especially if they manage which dogs come into the area, I imagine they will all have had their vacc cards checked. Indoors is nicer when they are this little too, they get to play and socialise in a safe and more controlled environment.

As for training post all vaccinations, probably when you get to puppy obedience classes again its personal preference. Some people like to minimise distractions, but I prefer to have them there and work with them during training. Its a more natural environment too and I think you end up with a more reliable dog, even if it is a little more challenging training them in the beginning. The last thing you want is a dog that pays attention beautifully when there are no distractions, like traffic, wind, outside sounds etc, then when you are out and about and you have a situation where you need them to behave they are so over stimulated they don't focus. My girl is only five and half months, but I know that I can easily get her focus on me it most situations.