Just offloading I feel really disheartened with the Puppy class.

[Thismumrunsonhugsandtea]

I did a lot of trading before all the basics And I have also whistle trained her so she comes back when called and I let her off every morning for a little bit. I never have any problems today at Puppy class. There was a room full of puppies all standing round the edges and one person had to stand at the end of the room and then call the Puppy to them from the other end.she just ran up to another puppy straight away, and then we had to do a jump up thing where we tie them to the walls and walk towards them and if they jump up, we turn our backs to them. I’ve taught her not to jump at people by getting her to sit when anyone comes in and she was really good at it but she jumped up every time she also got frustrated when she was on the lead and there was a puppy next to her that she wanted to play with and started barking, which she’s never done before either then afterwards we took her for a walk to burn off some steam and I whistled and she came back to us, but she didn’t want to go on the lead she just circled us which she’s never done so I don’t know whether the puppy classes were a bit of a waste of time or not or whether to persevere. I’m not sure I guess I just feel really disheartened because she was doing really well and now I don’t feel confident letting her off the lead because of what happened tonight and literally every morning I go for a walk with her and she’s fine off the lead so I don’t know whether she’s going to start behaving differently now I don’t know. I guess the question I want to ask is has anyone gone through this and had a similar experience? Is it worth it?

Was she just in a hyper mood? There’s training but also it’s exciting being in a class with all different personalities and she’s still only a ‘child’ really!

I've had 2 dogs, one until 15 yo, the second was 14. I've never gone to puppy class. I honestly don't think they are foe everyone. Do you love having your dog? Is s/he happy? Have they got the basics like recall and sit. If that's 3 yesses that's all you need! You don't need some haridan giving complicated instructions to everyone just because they can!!

Yes she knows sat stay leave come with and without a whistle well I thought she didn’t do it tonight in the class but normally she’s fine 🙈And I take her to doggy friendly restaurants and cafés and she’s fine. I just feel a bit disheartened like a step backwards. Bit scared to let her off the lead now.☹️ @inspaintherain

@stayathomershe had a nap before but was exited seeing 12 puppy’s in a small space

How old is she? My seven month old is great off the lead. But tie her to the wall? She would try and pull that wall down!
First class? Overwhelmed and over excited?

Sounds like you’re doing well , don’t stress about it . Classes can be very overwhelming for lots of puppies. Just keep practicing at home 🐾

@Wolfiefanshes 4 months second class The first one was just a talk really like a little induction.

@goodnightssleepbenicethank you I’m not sure I’m going to go back,I feel crushed after all the training I’ve done with her at home.

Never done puppy classes because of all of what you say. It's hard enough without being surrounded by excitable puppies with different handlers all doing things differently.

All mine sit, stay, come on command, wait quietly, stop barking when told. They walk to heel on and off the lead. They are jolly happy dogs. Puppy class would have put them back I think.

But like my toddler having nice table manners then 3 hours at nursery and he's forgotten how to behave. He can talk though, so he did go back:)

I do think the point of these is that you get to do training in a new environment.

Your pup is great at home but forgers it when surrounded by other pups. So you essentially have to retrain but it'll be faster.

Having said that she young and you're doing well anyway. Don't go if it's going to upset or frustrate you.

@Beesandhoney123thank you,

@Beesandhoney123 thanks yeah it was stressful,I just hope she’s okay on her walk tomorrow she’s normally fine. I hope tonight hasn’t put her back. I feel like I lost a bit of confidence tonight in myself. I literally came home and cried.x

I wouldn’t bother going back , have you a big garden you can practice recall / leave etc or a secure park ? ( have you practiced not running off out the door when you have a visitor ? That’s an important one )

@IReallyLoveItHerethank you

@goodnightssleepbenice Yes I have a home salon so she’s used to people coming in and out. She’s normally pretty good. I’ve got a small garden but since she was about 12 weeks she’s been off the lead no problems her recall is really good normally 🙈 I don’t know now after tonight tho,I just feel crushed

She’s a baby in a new environment. Bless her. Sounds a bit much for a pup class.

@Wolfiefanyes agree,

Isn’t the class for learning? I.e. she’s not supposed to know everything that’s why you’re taking her to class.

Yes it’s for learning but with pups you would start with sit, stay, down, loose lead walking around distraction, recall, send away, getting them used to feet etc being handled and taking treats nicely etc etc.

@Wolfiefan Exactly that

@Wolfiefani had already taught her all of that before we went, but I wanted to go for the socialisation and I thought it might be fun to meet other puppies the same age and Puppy parents, but I’m not sure if she’s good in that sort of environment,Were she’s behaving in ways where she doesn’t normally.

But the point is learning recall in a situation with loads of distractions is a really helpful skill for puppy to learn, they need to learn to come back to you even when there are more exciting things going on. It sounds like a really useful thing for you to do together. Mu rescue dog is always pretty wild on any training we do together with other dogs but we both still learn loads about how to manage in different situations, it feels like a real test and she doesn't always "pass" but that's fine.

@Blanketenvy I completely see where you’re coming from, I take her out every morning on a field where there are lots of different dogs and she comes back to me all the time. I generally don’t have a problem with recalling her in that environment with 12 puppies in a small cabin she didn’t come back to me. None of the puppies did, when you have them on lead and you’re next to another puppy, all of the puppies want to play and they’re just looking at each other on lead getting frustrated and barking at each other I’m not sure whether that would cause reactivity.I don’t know she 4 months been off the lead since 12 weeks and been absolutely fine. so it was just a bit disheartening that’s all.I guess I just worry that it’s going to make her go backwards where I have been training her from eight weeks, I think like children really they’re all different.My puppy is a calm she doesn’t even bark at the door so it was just a bit of a shock.Maybe I just need to give it a chance was just bit stressful x

What breed (if any) is she?

As others have said, training needs to work in all circumstances, not just "normal" ones. I would go to the class again.

When I first took our cocker spaniel to puppy class, she did circuits of the room and literally jumped over other puppies 😆 But by lesson six she was much calmer and used to other dogs in close proximity.

Honestly you sound great, and the training you've done is great, but the puppy class experience is exactly what you need - the puppy needs to be bulletproof and learning with all those distractions is so helpful. It's hard work but stick at it and you will be so pleased you did!!