Not convinced re puppy class .......

[sootysox]

......being the right way to go for me and Digby, my 21/22 week old lhasa apso.

We've only been once and it was for half hour. The 6 other dogs were much bigger in size and very boisterous off the lead.

Digby is an adorable fun loving puppy, but I felt under pressure and 'rushed' at the puppy class.I don't know what I expected really, but I have a gut feeling that it's not what I want. It was gruelling and with no time/space to assimilate tasks. Too many different tasks packed into a very short space of time imo.

All week I have been worrying about it and turning it over and over in my mind. I found the whole experience stressful, and feel I would be better to carry on training him on my own with Gwen Bailey's book and advice from here, friends etc.....

I have all day with him, and have the time to be patient and go at our own pace. I'm still working on toilet training and he very rarely has an accident, and if he does, it is usually my lack of vigilance.

He is pretty quick to learn and an intelligent puppy. I also have a gut feeling that the class will be more of a hindrance than a help.

But basically, quite apart from Digby, I don't feel cut out for this way of learning.

Any opinions either way ?

All comments welcome. Thanks.

I took Lola my 16 week Lab X Springer to 2 sessions and gave up. It was impossible to hear the trainer over two dogs that barked constantly and Lola just wanted to play. i have trained her to come, sit and heel, toilet training is good and like you accidents tend to be my fault, She is great on walks and well behaved with other dogs.

i felt the classes were actually making her mis behave - it was just a room full of naughty dogs

Thanks Mehgalegs

You have given me heart that I am not alone with this type of experience.

Thanks for posting.

mehgalegs really hoping yours isn't the Lola in my barky puppy's class

Anyone else ?

I did the first socialisation classes and found them very stressful. Like you, my puppy basically does what I want her to on walks. She is VERY friendly though and saw the class as a chance to strain and pant at every other dog for half an hour. I decided not to carry on but continue myself at home.

Thanks Sherbert37

try www.puppyschool.co.uk highly recommended by me!

Thanks Smartmars, but unfortunately no classes in Suffolk

Sooty try the APDT website for classes.

Classes can often seem rushed if trainers run through a list of tasks for you to practise at home. Good classes will give out written notes so you can refer back when you are doing your homework. Early classes are often very chaotic as it takes time for pups (and owners!) to settle.

IMO there are two valuable lessons that can only really be learned in a group environment, though - pups learn to ignore distractions and focus on you (which can itself be a lifesaver one day) and also the pups get a chance to socialise with other dogs in a safe environment.

Good luck anyway.

We've ended up going to two classes, they are very different. The first one is with 3 other dogs and she's teaching clicker training which my dog really responds well to. It's good fun and we both (so far) enjoy it.

The other is flipping hard work, I really did not enjoy it the first week. It felt as the one you described. The next day my shoulders were incredibly stiff where I'd been trying to keep her bouncing all over the other dogs. However, we went for the third time this week and it was a lot better. She is learning to be calmer around the other dogs (quite a few in the class, there were 10 one week but we didn't do off the lead time) and focus on me a lot more as Bella says. Also, he has said that next week she's ready to try a figure of 8 round two other dogs off the lead, which would have been unthinkable after the first lesson - though I'm a little unconvinced about that ! Overall we have made a fair bit of progress and I am glad we've stuck it out, though I was very tempted to pack it in.

Can you ask around and see if anyone you know can recommend a class if there isn't one in Bella's link. Maybe the vet can recommend one, ours recommended the class I really like.

I am in suffolk and go to puppy classes,where abouts are you.We went to one which is just like a 6 week course,deals with everything you need to know,no class is perfect ,but this women has grown on me and I felt we had had a start at the basics.Interestingly I think part of how those classes work is dependent on the mix of dogs which on a puppy class the trainer cannot really help.they are all on the lead at this class ,and we learnt the basics such as wait,stay and sit down,vet check etc ,its only a start but it was useful to have the basics .

We have now progressed to the next class which i am surprising myself with enjoying ,there is quite a lot of waiting around for my turn but I think that is good as Otto is leaning to watch and wait and i find its useful t have someone to ask for advice if anything does crop up.

I have heard good reports about some Copdock classes and some people like Stonham Barns

Oh she also gives written notes with pictures and has helpers who can help with the practice .some things I have ignored because they don't suit us others are good common sense

Hi bbc, I am in Hadleigh, nr Ipswich, but have no transport so can only go to the Hadleigh one, however I am thinking of giving it another shot. I'm pretty inexperienced in that I have not had a puppy before so it is a bit of a steep learning curve.

But I am making progress with him, and he is a happy intelligent dog with a lovely nature.

He had his groom today, a 'puppy cut', his ears and nails done. And has his 6 month puppy check tomorrow at the vets.