CareyJ Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 We have a 12 week old GSP. He is a bright little monster! I havent been able to find a puppy pre-school that I was entirely happy with - all ones were a bit of a free-for-all at vets and he is not our first puppy. We've been socialising him with as many different (vaccinated) dogs as possible and getting him out and about. Our local obedience club is just down the road and term 1 enrollments close tomorrow. Now he is all vaccinated and past the quarentine period I was going to go and join the obedience club but I'm starting to worry that he is too young. I know that given his age he is only able to concentrate for 5 or 10 mins at a time and am prepared to only stay for half an hour or so of the entire 1 hour session but I also think that taking him down and running through the basic exercises I know they do in the beginners group (and he can easily do at home) and being around other dogs would be a good learning experience. At least I know all the other dogs will be on leads. We're not bad with training sessions at home but we, my husband in particular probably need a bit of structure and guidence. Do you think I'm pushing it or is it reasonable to give it a go and see how he responds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Our local dog club starts puppies from about 12 -14 weeks - as soon as they've had their 2nd vacc. I'm one of the puppy instructors, and I find the pups and their handlers cope really well. We do lots of little bits - teach the mechanics, do a bit of trying and practice - just so I can see the handlers are getting it, then on to something else - so the pups work a little then rest a little. I just love seeing how the pups go so quickly from just wanting to greet other pups (most of them - although if they just want to look that's fine too - use that initial time to have the handlers watch body language and learn to turn and go when their pup or another has had enough - try to get them to meet different sizes etc. From then on it's pups and handlers working together - working on building focus and relationship. It staggers even after years of doing this, what little sponges the pups are, and how quickly they can learn - we show them what we want, and mark and reward when they gdo it. Little bits at a time. I have a very young GSP in class at present - doing fine. We just work at the pup's pace, and as I say, little bits and lots of different things. Just go and have a look maybe, and make sure that you like what you see. Most of the clubs in Perth should be fine, from what I know - the home of great dog training - just ask Ptolomy and Bedazzled and Rubystar and Pie :laugh: to name but a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I feel like the OP is an accurate description of us. That is encouraging & helpful to know there is a chance of going to Obedience classes. I will make enquiries locally. Good Luck to you, CareyJ & thanks Tassie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareyJ Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks for you response. Dempsey is our second GSP (Just ask Rubystar and Pie how crazy our previous one Leila was!)and we attended this club previously with her and it made such a difference which is why we are wanting to get onto it as soon as possible rather than wait like we did previously. I can already see that he is such a sponge and really want to build on that now.I love the wide eyes and lip curl he gives when Ive asked for something! Now to try and capture it in a photo that isnt blurry! We've been working through triangle of temptation and a number of othe written resources but having someone there to talk you through it is invaluble. I also like teaching them to think having the distraction of other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Try the Paw Prints ones CareyJ :) Some of my puppy families used one and enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 If he's a smart pup go for it. My kelpie was in the advanced class with the adult dogs at 14 weeks being used for demos. She would have been totally wasted on a puppy preschool class. If he's smart and enjoys training just enrol, if he gets bored quietly wander away from the class and take some time out and wander back when you are ready, it won't be long before he's concentrating longer :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleo's Corgwyn Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 my dog club starts puppies as soon as their vaccinations have cleared too. It's good for them to learn to work and focus with other dogs around, and we do plenty of socialisation and play to break the class up. We break our beginners classes up by age and size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareyJ Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 We went to our first session last night and we weren't the only puppy. He was fantastic. There really wasnt anything new but he did so well with so many other dogs around. His concentration only lasted about 45 mins but that was about enough for me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 We went to our first session last night and we weren't the only puppy. He was fantastic. There really wasnt anything new but he did so well with so many other dogs around. His concentration only lasted about 45 mins but that was about enough for me too. small bump.... That was a great outing.. I wonder ( in a biased way) if this is because he is a gun dog? There seems a inner brightness with some & so versatile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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