Getting Ready For Obedience School

[giraffez]

How soon can a puppy go to obidience school. I'm planning on enrolling my pup soon (waiting for 2 wks after the 3rd vaccination) - is this the right time?

Do the schools usually take puppies anytime or is it like school terms where everyone starts on the same day?

If it is the first one, how is it possible to teach the same command to a dog that has been there for weeks compared to one for the first time ... wouldn't there be a gap here?

Edited July 4, 2009 by giraffez

[Tilly]

Most obedience clubs around me take dogs at 4 months onwards. I think if the classes are run in a public place (such as a local park) then 2 weeks after the final needle is a good idea. If the club is in a dedicated area (closed to general public) and they run puppy classes - then I don't think it really matters too much.

Some clubs run a set course (ie 6 weeks) while others just run classes and anyone can join at any time. The ones that have people joining at any time usually run classes at a couple of different levels - so all the beginners start in class one and then progress as the dog masters each of the skills.

Edited July 4, 2009 by Tilly

[charli73]

I put our GSD pup in puppy class at 8 weeks to introduce her to other puppies. Our obedience school has different levels for all age puppies/dogs and she has been going every week for over 2 years fo the one fixed price....

She initially was very scared but she was introduced to all breeds of dogs big and small and It is the best way of getting your dog used to the wide world in the critical stage (8-16 wks old)

It was the best thing we ever did!

[joanne76]

My local puppy preschool is held in a vet clinic. Puppies can start after their 2nd vaccination.

it is a 4 week course so you all start on the same week and finish on the same week. I think its good to be in a class of puppies at the same age and maturity level.

I think the maximum age to start is 12 weeks.

[Tassie]

As others have said, it varies - but in general sooner is better than later. Most dog clubs that I know of take puppies into their puppy class as soon as the pup has had 2nd vacc (that is about 12 weeks - some vets like the pup to wait another couple of weeks after second vacc - and I'd do that if there was parvo in the area.

Check with your local dog training clubs on their requirements.

Puppy classes at local clubs will often have pups at different levels - no big deal - the instructors can give the more advanced handlers some additional work to do - like going from just learning to get their pups to drop, to building up a little drop stay.

Puppy classes are not so much about learning specific commands, but about building up a teaching and learning relationship between the pup and the handler. They will also deal with handlers' questions. And of course, there's always the meet and greet with other puppies - particularly pups of different breeds, and learning to observe dog behavioiur.

Most clubs will start the more 'formal' training when the pups are about 6 months, and are mature enough to cope with a class which may have raw beginner adult dogs in it.

[pcarr]

great question, i was also wondering about this

my puppy is due to star obedience training in 2 weeks, but has already done puppy school, which doesnt really address all the naughty stuff

[giraffez]

how do dogs get along at the dog classes esp on the first day. Do i still have to be cautious once he has had his 3rd vaccination?

I'm a bit nervous because it will be the first time my pup has played with another dog. They other day he saw another dog and both started barking at each other.

[Primedogs]

I'm a bit nervous because it will be the first time my pup has played with another dog. They other day he saw another dog and both started barking at each other.

I recently brought my pup to puppy class and was also nervous as it would have been the first time he played with another dog and because he had barked at the dogs he had seen when he was on his walk also, now it might be a different with your pup but when having play time and socalisation with other puppy's during puppy class my dog was absoloutly fine

Edited July 9, 2009 by goblygouck

[luvsdogs]

It's so important to socialise puppies from the minute you bring them home & hopefully the breeder will have started from as early as 3-4 weeks old. Puppy pre school usually start from 8 weeks & won't take puppies over 16 weeks.

My obedience club takes puppies after they've finished their vac schedule. We have a 4 week beginner class which has puppies from 16 weeks to years. After that you go up to other classes with the rest of the members.