puppy socialisation classes or a viable alternative

[paralyseddogowner]

Hi we tragically and most sadly for me very suddenly lost a four yr old dog dog last year still +++ and after hours weeks and months of agonising have now got a puppy coming. I've read every website/book about our chosen breed, contacted through the breed club a breeder, waited for the puppies to be born, been extensively vetted by the breeder whose chosen what she believes is the right puppy for us and he's coming in two weeks. WE'RE SO EXCITED!
We currently own a beautiful well adjusted/socialised happy go lucky 7 yr old (slightly lazy) male dog that we had from a puppy again after extensive research.
What Im trying to find are puppy socialisation classes when I ask people they look at me if I've taken leave of my senses and go on about training classes we took our last dog (different area) do such things not exist any more? We're all at home so we plan to take him out and about (obviously carrying at first) buses, mind you I never get in a bus normally, shops cafes friends houses, car, boat, friends with vaccinated dogs etc but we know no one with a large dog and he's only ever going to be knee height and I wanted him to meet bigger dogs in a controlled environment.
Also we've got a crate, toys, collar, lead, treats, wire brush as advised by the breeder, kong, bed anything else?

Our local dog training centre runs 'puppy playgroup' - as do local vets.

We've found the puppy playgroup great x

I go to puppy obediance and socialisation classes. However, I have been to my last class this week. The reasons are a) I am due my baby next week and it's all a bit much now, and b) the class is not what I expected it to be.

It is outdoors and 2 people run it. They tell us all to wander around, do some heel work, stay, lie down, etc and they will come over to us individually. I find that I am wandering around on my own for about 45 minutes out of the whole hour. I would like something a bit more structured, and feel my pup is actually worse there than he is normally. I won't be going back after the baby comes, and DP wants to do some gun dog training anyway.

I think it depends largely on what sort of classes you want to go to - have a look on line and and just go along and watch a few before you get your pup? Then you can decide xx

Oh and when he was very tiny our vets did puppy socailisation classes where the tiny ones just go and have a play :)

I've spoken to the vet as it is literally a puppy party that I'm looking for they looked at me as if I was from another planet! It's weird because they've got this poster: role of the vet nurse and it's even mentioned on there. We are rural and the place is positively groaning in gun dogs lovely and friendly but boisterous with feet like tennis rackets and I don't want him to get accidentally trodden on and get frightened which is why I wanted to find a puooy party so that he could meet younger smaller version first!

Is that the only vet in your area, paralyseddogowner?

What about asking in the local pet shop?

Ring craft classes, for show dogs, are really good for puppies where you just want them to mix with other dogs & people without formal obedience training.
Their whole point, with the puppies, is to get them used to mixing with dogs & people they haven't met before & feel confident.
There are quite a lot around, they don't advertise but you can track them down through breed clubs, contact numbers on the KC website.