puppy training classes

sterlingsmom · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject: puppy training classes

Petsmart offers puppy training classes starting at 10 weeks old. My pup will be 10 weeks on Monday. Is this too early to start these classes? Anybody have feelings either way on whether these classes are good or not?

anne · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject:

Puppy socialization classes are excellent. I would hesitate a bit with a PetSmart class becuase there are lots of dogs that come in and out of there. I assume your pup needs at least one more vaccination. I think puppy socialization classes are very good and think everyone should find a good one to take their puppy to.

anne · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject:

BTW, this should be for socialization, not training per se...

sterlingsmom · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject:

Right...I thought it was for socialization. I also have two JRT's at home, so she is pretty socialized with them...she's more leary of people, really...I just don't want to feel I'm wasting my money if Petsmart isn't very reputable for classes...I'm not even sure of any other place to go, to be honest.

Duchess · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:55 am Post subject:

We took Tess and Duchess to start with to petsmart puppy classes and they were fine. There is alot of "homework", because classes are only one day a week. But, to get your puppy started, they were fine for us. We did not take them at 10 weeks. The girls were 4 months old.

heathr · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

We did the PetSmart puppy classes with our dog before we had our weim Riddick. For Riddick we took him to a place that specialized only in obedience classes. My only gripe about the PetSmart classes is that there are tons of distractions (you practice in the aisles with all the regular shoppers) and when you are just learning it can be very frusterating (people wanting to pet your adorable pup). I have really enjoyed our obedience school and think Riddick has really benefited from it. I am not saying the PetSmart classes are bad... its just, having done both I would recommend a place that soley does obedience or puppy socialization. But more than anything as long as you are willing to get out there that is way better than nothing at all. Best of luck!!

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject:

the instructor matters as well... we did a petco class, simply because we met and liked the trainer. he had trained dogs in the army, for several years prior.. and was doing the training at petco while finishing grad school. anyway, he had a pretty extensive background in various settings, we found him to be quite helpful. he offered a lot of good advice, and made the course worthwhile for us.

sterlingsmom · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject:

I'm so excited! I found a new facility that does boarding/doggie daycare/ training, and the owners are VETERINARIANS! I'm taking Sterling there in a few weeks! I toured the facility, and I swear, that girl will be living better than I EVER did when I went to daycare Laughing