Feeling Disheartened About Puppy School Experience

[aussielover]

A friend of mine was asked to run a puppy school where she worked- she freely admitted that she had NO training experience at all and had never run a puppy class before. The employer said it didn't matter- they would tell her what to do. She said she really felt pressured into taking the classes, but thankfully she stayed strong and resisted!

Which goes to show how dodgy some "puppy preschools" really are.

[Earthdog]

I'll third the contacting of Luci Ellem.

Also Macarthur Dog Training, once your pup is older/fully vaccinated. They trained at Kearns when I went before I moved.

[sas]

Its also a real shame that 2/5 of the pups in the class are rescues from horrible backgrounds and that is why they have problems with the other pups.

That should never be used as an excuse. Dogs can overcome their 'issues' with stable owners who are prepared to be their leaders.

[Magstar]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Well we did end up going for our second week yesterday, and I am glad that we did. 2 new puppies were in the class ( a GR and a beautiful boxer girl). These pups were much closer in size, age and temperament to Oscar, which made all the difference. He had a little play with both and started to gain more confidence.

Also, the snappy pup had improved since last week, and the instructor seemed to have alot more control over all the puppies this week as well.

I came out of the lesson feeling as though we had achieved something.

[Tokkie]

Magstar I am glad you went back..... I read this topic after my puppy went to her first puppy pre-school. She is a 12 week old JRT puppy, the other puppies were American Akita, Steffie, Richback X (all 10 weeks +) and a Cavalier x Poodle (but she did not want to play).

Nandi could not wait to play but even though the class was controlled she did get a little overwhelmed..... so after the first play (only about 30sec before she had to rescued ) she did not want to go near them again. :D

The next class, she just jumped right back into it.....

She loved playing with the Richback X girl (which were pretty full on) and new 8 week old Steffy puppy.

[Red Fox]

Alot of people think puppy schools are where puppies should play and interact, this isn't the case and it shouldn't be because there will always be dogs that aren't suitable to be with your puppy, you're at puppy school to learn together with your puppy and hopefully create a more neutral grounding for your puppy around other dogs rather than them finding them a high value item.

Exactly what sas has said.

A bad puppy pre-school can easily ruin a good dog. Bad experiences at this age are likely to affect the dog for the rest of his life. But even good experiences can have their downside.

Think of it like this: You take your new puppy to pre-school, it's a wonderful preschool where he gets to run and frolick with the other puppies, they all get along soooo well and puppy is having a ball. He loves the other puppies and drags you through the door each week in excitement. It's great fun!

Fast forward a few months later to obedience class where your now rather large puppy is dragging you all over the place, pouncing on the other dogs and being a right pain in the arse. You try bribing him with steak, sausages, cheese... but he doesn't want a bar of it here.

"Why doesn't he listen to me!!" you cry. Well why should he? You've spont the past few months teaching him that other dogs are the best, most fun thing in the world - and now you want him to forget that and pay attention to YOU? I don't think so!

Thank very carefully about what you want from your dog in the future. A small mistake at this age will take years (if not a lifetime) of work to correct.

[aussielover]

Alot of people think puppy schools are where puppies should play and interact, this isn't the case and it shouldn't be because there will always be dogs that aren't suitable to be with your puppy, you're at puppy school to learn together with your puppy and hopefully create a more neutral grounding for your puppy around other dogs rather than them finding them a high value item.

Exactly what sas has said.

A bad puppy pre-school can easily ruin a good dog. Bad experiences at this age are likely to affect the dog for the rest of his life. But even good experiences can have their downside.

Think of it like this: You take your new puppy to pre-school, it's a wonderful preschool where he gets to run and frolick with the other puppies, they all get along soooo well and puppy is having a ball. He loves the other puppies and drags you through the door each week in excitement. It's great fun!

Fast forward a few months later to obedience class where your now rather large puppy is dragging you all over the place, pouncing on the other dogs and being a right pain in the arse. You try bribing him with steak, sausages, cheese... but he doesn't want a bar of it here.

"Why doesn't he listen to me!!" you cry. Well why should he? You've spont the past few months teaching him that other dogs are the best, most fun thing in the world - and now you want him to forget that and pay attention to YOU? I don't think so!

Thank very carefully about what you want from your dog in the future. A small mistake at this age will take years (if not a lifetime) of work to correct.

As people have said before a GOOD puppy school isn't a free-for -all play session the whole time. In fact, a good school will teach your puppy to ignore other dogs/puppies at the appropriate time- in between play intervals. You puppy should also learn to obey you and perform commands whilst in the presence of other dogs.

We do not allow puppies to greet each other at the beginning of each class, instead puppies are allowed to play when the owner says it is ok and then the puppies play for around 5 -10 minutes in between training exercises and discussions

[flux]

Just want to say that this is a fasinating and a real eye-opening thread. Thank you for posting it, and thanks for all the opinions. I think I am understanding now why Jazz is super (perhaps too super) friendly around other dogs and goes deaf at the same time :D

[Magstar]

It is very intersting getting everyones point of view. I understand why those who are against puppy school run like this are against it, but I also understand why some people are all for it. I guess the thing is that everyone has different ideas and expectations of their dogs.

What I like about how our class is run is that we have a couple of minutes of play time, then we do a settle exercise and then some more training exercises, and then back to a short play time again. I guess the point of this is to try and teach your puppy that they can play when you say its ok, but then they have to settle and focus when you say. I found it really surprising how well all of the puppies in teh class could go from playing one minute, to then being settled and focusing the next. I don't know if this will work in the long run or not!

[blinx]

I've been searching the forum for a topic like this...because I felt exactly the same!

Won't mention which school but its in The Hills. I went with Neo for his first puppy school and I was immediately worried. Over half the class was Huskies (one was so aggressive) and Labradors! My poor Kelpie pup got bowled over once or twice during play time and I could see minature dogs less than half the size shivering behind people and just not interacting with other dogs because of how big they were = intimidating.

Neo loved the socializing part, towards the end he at least learnt to bounce out of the way each time a Labra-furball came rolling his way, but I think its best we get him to a class with more structure.

[aussielover]

Hi Blinx, what puppy school was it? (PM me if you wish).

I can recommend some good ones in the hills area if you like

Did the instructor make any attempts to control the puppies playing or was it just a free for all?

I do not like to see baby puppies bullied

Also, I have a one and a bit year old lab who would be happy to socialise with your puppy.

She is not really that interested in young puppies, but she is friendly.

It is good (in some cases better imo) to socialise your puppy with boring older dogs as they can learn appropriate behaviour with adult dogs and it can help you show your puppy you are more fun to be around than another dog.

anyway, you are welcome to PM me

[poodlefan]

Hi!

Puppy classes are good if you're a first time dog handler. Also if you want to socialise your dog, go to an off leash park.

Sorry, but most off leash parks really aren't suitable for baby puppies. You can't control the other dogs and anything can happen.

[arjay]

My rott pup was in a smiliar situation, his first day out in preschool. he was scared of the other dogs and was chased. Lucky it was only 3 in our class. But i expected it from our pup, it worried me at the start, but the trainer re assured that some pups get alot with others easyier than other pups. Trainer controlled the situation when he was being chased, was only for a short period of time with the free play. He was sitll taking treats, through the class. He was just abit timid with other dogs.

The next class he bonded straight away with the 2 other pups in class, he was a whole new dog..he was use to them. I was so happy. Since than he hasnt had any problems with other puppies. Just be confident in your dog, loose leash when meeting other dogs, give him GOOD treats when training,

[Clyde]

Picking up a pup when it's naughty is only rewarding it.

[Clyde]

Ah shoot, another old thread - it's starting to get annoying.

[aussielover]

Ah shoot, another old thread - it's starting to get annoying.

yeah I was about to reply to some earlier posts but realised they were from 2010!

[drifter]

I also had a bad first first experience with puppy school. There were only 2 other puppies, both very boisterous and poor Daisy spent the whole lesson trying to hide under my chair. The 'trainer' just let the other 2 play for the whole lesson and didnt really have any control at all. I took her along to a class run by the local obedience club and the difference was like night and day. There were about 10 other pups, all different breeds and the trainer is fantastic! She has total control over all the puppies (and their owners ;) ) the whole time. They do some basic command work and have a short period of free play where they are split into size/age appropriate groups and the rest of the lesson they are quiet while she educates the owners. Daisy and I both love it I didn't bother going back to the other class. Initially I felt like I was wasting my money by not going back but now I think it would have been a waste if I had. I really don't think either of us would have got any value from continuing there.

[drifter]

Ah shoot, another old thread - it's starting to get annoying.

yeah I was about to reply to some earlier posts but realised they were from 2010!

Oh man- just posted my reply and then read yours Never mind

[**Super_Dogs**]

There seems to be so many puppy preschools. I think anyone thinks that can start one up!! I always take my puppies to a puppy school that is part of an obedience club. I think there are 2 benefits - you are going to get experienced dog trainers and also you can continue on with obedience at the same place where you puppy is familar.