Puppy Training Classes

[Steve]

What do you think is the optimum period of formal training per week with a qualified trainer for puppies 8 weeks to 6 months? .

What do you think is the optimum time for a puppy to attend puppy training classes

[Cosmolo]

While there are definitely optimum time frames and ideals, one also has to consider the demographic of the area they're working within to ensure training offered is actually going to be reasonable for the people in that area.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I think training and learning is for life. For puppys, dogs, humans...

Even if the owner doesn't formally train the puppy, it's still learning...

But if you were having a set course - then you'd want to get groups that were matched to age appropriate training, ie what is good for a puppy at 8 weeks - might not be so good for a 4 month old, and vice versa.

You may also want to have a beginners class - maybe once a week for 4 weeks - so you don't have more experienced puppies and humans having to start over every time someone new shows up.

[grumpette]

I believe that dogs and owners should attend classes at least until they have passed through the teenage period, especially for the bigger breeds. This is the time that owners need the most support with the behaviour and training of their dogs.

[alpha bet]

Firstly, "What do you mean by 'qualified trainer' ?

We don't think of puppy classes as having an 'optimum' timeframe as this doesnt work with most families.

We run a private introduction lesson first and then offer ongoing classes and recommend training for a 12 month period - using a pay as you go system - with families doing blocks of training as it fits in with their own lifestyle as well as looking at the different stages of the young dogs life.

Generally we have families come with their 2 month old pups for about 8 weeks and then they might have a month or two off and then often they appear back about 6 months old and will be fairly consistant for another 6 weeks and then another break, back again usually around 10 months - The ones who do reappear at 10 months often then happy to train most weeks till their dogs are 14-16 months old.

The trouble with many of the Vets or Trainers running say 6 week puppy socialising classes is that often the families think they have done the work, whereas in fact they haven't even started. The other big problem seems to be the prices they charge sometimes $150-250 for a course seems expensive and once they get into the course it doesn't meet the families expectations and often they don't continue the course and then don't see the point in paying out more money for a further course.

Generally when I've spoken with people running puppy courses (both here and in the USA) they find that most families don't keep coming for the life of the course so therefore have shortened the courses to say 4 weeks. When asked why they think the families don't keep up the course they seem to believe that families aren't prepared or are too busy for any longer. Not one person we met thought that perhaps they needed to restructure their classes to make things more interesting....... Surprised me as I thought perhaps in the states they would be more progressive especially when many are running a 4 week course and charging in the region of $400.

We are constantly revamping our classes and we provide classes that cover a bigger range of age. This has been successful as we have a good retention rate. We run 5 classes a week for various ages and our numbers can fluctuate throughout the year we can have 6-14 dogs in a class. We are in a semi rural area based near a country town so have a smaller population yet still have to compete with 2 other private trainers and 3 veterinary groups. If we were in a metropolitian area with a bigger population we feel we could have more classes.

Conclusion: from our experience we believe it is better to market a package for families for an ongoing training system.

Oh this is from experience of building the business for over 16 years.

Edited May 2, 2012 by alpha bet

[Steve]

When I say qualified I'm thinking someone who is qualified by and accredited by a group to be able to provide training to a puppy - with some kind of base lines and at least minimal qualifications to start the basics at a minimum.

I'm not talking about just meet and greet type things where the general aim is to socialise the pup.

lets not consider demographics or what families want or ordinarily do or costs etc for the purposes of this poll - I'm interested in what you guys would choose as to what you believe is best for the dogs if all things are equal and ideal.

[dogsaremyworld]

When I say qualified I'm thinking someone who is qualified by and accredited by a group to be able to provide training to a puppy - with some kind of base lines and at least minimal qualifications to start the basics at a minimum.

I'm not talking about just meet and greet type things where the general aim is to socialise the pup.

lets not consider demographics or what families want or ordinarily do or costs etc for the purposes of this poll - I'm interested in what you guys would choose as to what you believe is best for the dogs if all things are equal and ideal.

Do you mean someone who is qualified and accredited by the MDBA? are you guys thinking of starting training courses?

I think, most of the ones the vet's run at 8 weeks old are a complete and utter waste of money. So I would not be basing it on that for sure. The problem with most of them is one, the people who run them have varying levels of qualifications, and enthusiasm relating to the course, and the other is the actual content of the programs.

But I think COST is a large factor in whether people continue for longer, rather than the content of the course.

If people feel they are being ripped off, or not getting value for money they will not continue to shell out more money, as someone above stated. And of course the longer the course the more money they are going to spend, so trained people are a must to get results.

I think twice a week is better, but then again I don't think many families would have the time to spare that often for formal training. I think the longer the course the better as well, but then you run into that commitment issue as well.

[alpha bet]

So your idea of "qualified" means they have paid out money to one of the 'groups' that offer puppy training courses. Most of these are more money making exercises for the organisers.

Watched one group that run one of these courses and for nearly $2000 participants end up with their certificate including the OHS certificate. The course is bull"#@t and most of these people wouldn't have a hope in hell handling a variety of pups let alone deal with the human variety. I have seen some vet nurses with no official status run great courses.

The best qualification is to let the community speak - the people who build their course and do a good job end up staying in business. Puppy Classes are important for the future of dogs in the public.

As far as length of course - this again needs to be structured around what the public need, want and can afford.... not what any associations likes to pass judgement about - The dog world is too quick to decide what is for the good of the dog and forgetting that we have to cater to the public. If we arent careful we could make owning a dog so expensive and difficult that there will be less and less families having the chance to experience a dog - It is the future generations that will make the rules about where dogs fit in with our lives, lets hope there are plenty of dog lovers left to push the cause.

(sorry will get off my soap box now)

[Steve]

So your idea of "qualified" means they have paid out money to one of the 'groups' that offer puppy training courses. Most of these are more money making exercises for the organisers.

Watched one group that run one of these courses and for nearly $2000 participants end up with their certificate including the OHS certificate. The course is bull"#@t and most of these people wouldn't have a hope in hell handling a variety of pups let alone deal with the human variety. I have seen some vet nurses with no official status run great courses.

The best qualification is to let the community speak - the people who build their course and do a good job end up staying in business. Puppy Classes are important for the future of dogs in the public.

As far as length of course - this again needs to be structured around what the public need, want and can afford.... not what any associations likes to pass judgement about - The dog world is too quick to decide what is for the good of the dog and forgetting that we have to cater to the public. If we arent careful we could make owning a dog so expensive and difficult that there will be less and less families having the chance to experience a dog - It is the future generations that will make the rules about where dogs fit in with our lives, lets hope there are plenty of dog lovers left to push the cause.

(sorry will get off my soap box now)

Good heavens - all I want to know is given all things equal what you guys think is the optimal time for basic puppy training in a structured situation.

The whole what is a good training instructor , good training school, costs, demographics even what is there now or isn't there now isn't something for the purposes of this poll that I'm interested in. Give me a break don't read so much crap into this - its nothing to do with any association or anything or anyone else wanting to pass judgment about the dog world or not catering to or listening to the public or wanting to make things expensive.

[aussielover]

I think a puppy course for puppies 8 weeks to 12/16 weeks is ideal.

Most courses last one month, and although it's probably not long enough for the average person, it is better than nothing.

I think puppy classes for puppies 12 weeks-12months are also a good idea. We have a number of trainers in our area offering this and it has been quite successful as 4 months-8months is generally the time when a lot of people struggle to cope as their puppies start to push the boundaries.

Some trainers have also started offering socialisation classes for older dogs (1yr +), where they do some very basic obedience, trick training, general manners and off leash work, this has also been quite popular in our area. This is becoming more popular than formal obedience (which is not very well attended) as it is seen as more "fun" and more practical.

So I guess I think offering a variety of classes is probably a good idea, that way people can choose according to their needs.

[Erny]

I voted for once a week, and for a course to be 6-8 weeks. I think 6 weeks can generally be sufficient, but extending to 8 weeks I think would be helpful.

My reasons I guess are based on what I already offer in terms of our other classes, which begin at "Foundation" and which is based in motivational training - hence suitable for young, adult and older dogs alike, and that good instructor/dog-handler ratio allows for some individual assistance.

I think once a week because it gives the owners a chance to practice what they've learnt with their pup and for their pup to have half a chance to learn what the owners mean and begin to 'get it'. Also because more than once a week is a bit hard for many people to make the time for. I'd rather those people be getting on with habituating their pups to the world.

I think 6 weeks as a course is generally sufficient. The most important things inside a puppy preschool is for the owners to learn about the fundamentals of puppyhood - eg destructive chewing, mouthing, toilet training. Also for them to learn the right and safest ways of habituating their pup to worldly things. And also for them to learn how to teach their pups some 'approach' manners towards other dogs (in this case, other pups). I think the current trend for 4 weeks (and less!!) is insufficient. There's only so much that people can absorb and learn inside one session.

A bit of basic obedience and meal-time manners/training to get people started - sure, but let them concentrate on all the other puppy stuff first.

Six - Eight weeks gives them time to at least find their feet (I'm talking about the humans) and to have cottoned on to some sort of routine with their pup. Then let them bring their pup to classes that begin to move outside of puppy-dom and enter suitable obedience training for adolescence and upwards.

I do agree with the other poster though ..... I find many people think that Puppy Preschool is all that they needed to do.

Sorry if I've gone beyond what you needed, Steve. If I have, just put it down to me having a late night chat :D.

Edited May 4, 2012 by Erny

[Steve]

So ordinarily Im assuming that puppy training only ever entails the puppy in attendance in group situations and actually working with the puppy and not periods where you educate the owner without the puppy ?

Edited May 5, 2012 by Steve

[Erny]

Generally the puppy is there. Doesn't mean that what you are talking about at every single moment throughout a lesson needs the puppy to be there. But people generally would like to bring their pup along rather than leave him/her back at home.

I often talk to people via the telephone, helping them with puppy queries. That would be the same or similar (they can't see me waving my hands around as I speak :laugh:) as having a session without puppy being there. Except I don't get paid, lol. But it helps them out. Some educational sessions that are dog-less though are in the pipe-line - not all sessions will be about pups however. But I wouldn't refer to the sessions as "puppy school" as that gives the wrong impression of what you are providing.

So now I'm not sure what you are asking .