Best Age To Start Puppy School

[westozmike]

Hi there, I have a 9 week old Stafford who I want to take to puppy school, primarily for socialisation.

I understand there are different theories on the "risk vs benefit" before 12 weeks (particularly for Staffords).

I am seeking knowledgeable opinion on the matter from the DOL community.

Any advice/thoughts/opinions??

[tlc]

All four of mine started puppy school at 8 weeks.

[Little Gifts]

My staffy was about 14 weeks and was assessed by the puppy school vet nurse basically to make sure she would not be too boistrous for the other puppies attending. She was unfortunately but still completed it. She was already used to being with big dogs and playing roughly. Lots of small white fluffies in her class and I still remember Stussy getting the fur of a SWF stuck around her teeth so this poor thing is howling and trying to get away from her but couldn't. Oh dear. But hey I think it was good for those other owners to see an active, inquisitive dog in a safe environment!

If I had of owned her younger I simply would've checked with my puppy school vet nurse to see when puppy school was right for her to start at that age.

[Red Fox]

Hi there, I have a 9 week old Stafford who I want to take to puppy school, primarily for socialisation.

I understand there are different theories on the "risk vs benefit" before 12 weeks (particularly for Staffords).

I am seeking knowledgeable opinion on the matter from the DOL community.

Any advice/thoughts/opinions??

Most puppy schools will take puppies from 8-16 weeks who have had at least one vaccination. Disease is not really a risk as most puppy classes are held indoors in sterilised areas. However there are other risks to take into consideration.

Read up on socialisation vs neutralisation. Have a think about what you hope to achieve by attending puppy classes and then choose one that meets your needs.

Be very careful about classes which allow the pups to play non stop. What the dog learns at this age will often affect him/her for life.

[wire]

Young is good. Just carry them in.

Both mine went through between 10 - 13 weeks of age.

The first one went to a proper dog obedience club. Was excellent, learnt heaps.

Just completed one at our local vets. Very disappointing. The $60 for 3 lessons consisted of half hour play, 20 mins of selling their products, 7 mins of wrong advice with food and the way to treat a dog (generalization here, just MO) and oh yes, 3 mins to teach to sit.

At the last lesson we spent the 20 mins inspecting the vet surgery. Walked around and viewed sterilizers and 'quiet room' carrying a very grumpy pup.

Oh well, live and learn.

[WreckitWhippet]

The earlier the better for an SBT. They are usually the most outgoing, the naughtiest and the most boisterous in a class.

[Guest Willow]

The earlier the better for an SBT. They are usually the most outgoing, the naughtiest and the most boisterous in a class.

x 2 (spoken as an SBT owner, and also a puppy preschool instructor!!!!)

BTW SBT123....you forgot to add "cutest" to that list :D

[newfsie]

We went to a puppy training classes, where we did basic obedience, such as sit, drop, heel. All positive re enforced with treats. We even did a tunnel, which was so much fun. At the end of class the puppies got to meet and greet. It was all very controlled and i was impressed.

I started my newf pup at ten weeks.

She also went to a class at the vets on another day, I thought two was better than one, but it was a disappointment, no real control and i actually sat my pup next to me and kept the aggressive dogs away. i pulled out at week two. I do not like the "free for all" system.

So I took my pup with us to obedience with our other dogs. And we met a lot of the dogs we knew were well trained and social. I like socialization , but I like it controlled and not necessarily with play. i just like controlled meet and greet under controlled environments

[westozmike]

great responses guys - thanks.

I was leaning towards pre-12 week classes.

I have no doubt the little terror will be the most boisterous in the class

;)

[sandgrubber]

Another concern in 'best time to' is your own schedule. It's much better to do puppy school when you have some time to follow up on what you and the puppy learn. I get lots of people in kennels who seem disappointed that their puppy went to puppy school and still isn't obedient. You probably know it doesn't work that way. . . . but some people seem to expect one class is going to result in a well socialised, well trained dog.

[alpha bet]

Young is good. Just carry them in.

Both mine went through between 10 - 13 weeks of age.

The first one went to a proper dog obedience club. Was excellent, learnt heaps.

Just completed one at our local vets. Very disappointing. The $60 for 3 lessons consisted of half hour play, 20 mins of selling their products, 7 mins of wrong advice with food and the way to treat a dog (generalization here, just MO) and oh yes, 3 mins to teach to sit.

At the last lesson we spent the 20 mins inspecting the vet surgery. Walked around and viewed sterilizers and 'quiet room' carrying a very grumpy pup.

Oh well, live and learn.

Glad to hear you prefer the obedience club.

As a trainer I recommend people attend puppy groups at a club or a trainers - most welcome you from 8-10 weeks. - vet clinics dont cover enough and dont have any follow on. Many often spend a great deal of your time on selling you stuff. The other problem with vets is that lots of sick dogs go to the vets and unless the vet has removed everything from the room (chairs, tables, magazines, noticeboards) and done a complete sterilising floor to ceiling including equipment- then there is a greater risk of infections there than at most other locations.

Sorry vets, but stick to what your good at and let the trainers do their stuff.

[westozmike]

Thanks

some more wise words sandgrubber and alpha bet....what lovely names ... ;)

My intention is to go to Northern Suburbs Training & Obedience Dog Club - who are located walking distance from my house - don't worry I wont be walking the dog to puppy class ;)

..haha and I know my dog already - there's no way she's going to be an angel after a few weeks of puppy school - lots of work (and fun) in front of us I reckon

:D

[Guest Willow]

Glad to hear you prefer the obedience club.

As a trainer I recommend people attend puppy groups at a club or a trainers - most welcome you from 8-10 weeks. - vet clinics dont cover enough and dont have any follow on. Many often spend a great deal of your time on selling you stuff. The other problem with vets is that lots of sick dogs go to the vets and unless the vet has removed everything from the room (chairs, tables, magazines, noticeboards) and done a complete sterilising floor to ceiling including equipment- then there is a greater risk of infections there than at most other locations.

Sorry vets, but stick to what your good at and let the trainers do their stuff.

I'm a professional trainer & run puppy school at vet clinics.

No pushing of products

We cover the basics & beyond

Plenty of follow thorugh....I get a LOT of puppy clients attanding my level one classes afterwards

I take great care with sterilising......clubs that hold classes in outdoor areas can't offer that.

Puppy kindy at vet clinics are not all bad!!!!

[westozmike]

fair call Willow

That is one thing that has bothered me about the club is the "outdoor on grass puppy class"...ha ha ...funny words

Unfortunately my nearest vet class does the same thing though out the back of the practice....

[elsa]

Young is good. Just carry them in.

Both mine went through between 10 - 13 weeks of age.

The first one went to a proper dog obedience club. Was excellent, learnt heaps.

Just completed one at our local vets. Very disappointing. The $60 for 3 lessons consisted of half hour play, 20 mins of selling their products, 7 mins of wrong advice with food and the way to treat a dog (generalization here, just MO) and oh yes, 3 mins to teach to sit.

At the last lesson we spent the 20 mins inspecting the vet surgery. Walked around and viewed sterilizers and 'quiet room' carrying a very grumpy pup.

Oh well, live and learn.

Glad to hear you prefer the obedience club.

As a trainer I recommend people attend puppy groups at a club or a trainers - most welcome you from 8-10 weeks. - vet clinics dont cover enough and dont have any follow on. Many often spend a great deal of your time on selling you stuff. The other problem with vets is that lots of sick dogs go to the vets and unless the vet has removed everything from the room (chairs, tables, magazines, noticeboards) and done a complete sterilising floor to ceiling including equipment- then there is a greater risk of infections there than at most other locations.

Sorry vets, but stick to what your good at and let the trainers do their stuff.

Too right Alpha bet. Totally agree with the vets/sick dogs thing and also let the trainers do their stuff. When I did my Cert III with NDTF, I specifically asked about the age to go to puppy class, and they said, its worth the risk. I have also found, that at 8 weeks, they are bang on their fear and socialisation phase. What better way to cover all the bases? Remember that fear period though, as they can be affected for life, which is why the instructor should never allow a puppy to be swamped by others when they are unsure. Another thing is, their brains seem like little sponges at this age, and they seem to learn so much faster. I took my puppy along to puppy classes, and afterwards, he slept for the rest of the day!

Good luck with your Staffy, and yes, he will be the most boisterous in the class, but thats what makes them lovable.

[GoldenGirl85]

I was at my vet with my pup getting her shots while they were setting up for their puppy class. They blocked off a small corner of their show room for 6 puppies (who were showing up at the time and most were big puppies). I was glad I was only there for shots, Id only been to one puppy class with my agility club at the time, but they had a huge fully fenced area for the dogs to run in at play time, and then we did a lot of on lead clicker work with them too

[poodlefan]

The earlier the better for an SBT. They are usually the most outgoing, the naughtiest and the most boisterous in a class.

Except for the Whippets. Howard was the terror of his puppy class.

Edited March 31, 2010 by poodlefan

[Cosmolo]

I run puppy school at vets and other locations and the schools cover the same information regardless of where they are. Make sure your school is run by an experienced and preferably qualified dog trainer and you'll be fine. View a class beforehand if you can and take note of what happens with the more 'difficult' puppies. Are they helped or ignored? Do fearful pups get more confident during class or more fearful?

[Red Fox]

Young is good. Just carry them in.

Both mine went through between 10 - 13 weeks of age.

The first one went to a proper dog obedience club. Was excellent, learnt heaps.

Just completed one at our local vets. Very disappointing. The $60 for 3 lessons consisted of half hour play, 20 mins of selling their products, 7 mins of wrong advice with food and the way to treat a dog (generalization here, just MO) and oh yes, 3 mins to teach to sit.

At the last lesson we spent the 20 mins inspecting the vet surgery. Walked around and viewed sterilizers and 'quiet room' carrying a very grumpy pup.

Oh well, live and learn.

Jeez Wire, where do you live? Sounds exactly like the puppy class we attended

At the time I thought I was doing the right thing, in hindsight it created more problems than I could ever imagine. All I can say is NEVER, EVER, EVER will I take a puppy to a class like that again!

[Grace1979]

Grace started hers at 9 weeks old. If i had waited till her full course of vaccinations she would have been to big, she weighs 20 kilo at 4 mths old. I wanted her socialized at an early age.