Puppy Classes

[Tea_juice]

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After Easter I'd like to enrol Deedee in some puppy classes. Mainly for the socialisation with lots of other breeds of dog, but also of course to get some basic training done.

A class that is held in a community centre not far from us has been recommended to me by our vet and also a neighbour. I phoned them up yesterday, and they asked lots of questions about DeeDee, had she had her jabs, how old was she, what breed, had she had any training yet. He then ran through a list of what the class would cover, how it works etc and it all sounded very professional.

We've been invited to come along and view the class on Friday before committing to it, meet the organisers and "pupils". So my question is, what should I be looking out for on Friday? I want to be sure that it’s going to be worth it before signing up. Also it's £42 for a 5 week course of 1 hour sessions, and he said that if you'd like to come back after your 5 weeks, then it's £5 each time. Is this a reasonable price?

Thanks.

 

[Janet]

I joined a club after Christmas, the first night was free, the joining fee was £2 and each weekly session is £2. There are lots of people to go over your dog and a "class" like exercise for your puppy to get used to the standing and moving with other dogs. Your class does look quite expensive but they maybe really good, maybe worth asking if you can go and long and watch for one night?

 

[natty]

in my experience you get what you pay for the more expensive the class the fewer pupils will be there but that means you will get much less overcrowding and more direct help if you have a problem. When i looked at training classes a while back the prices went from £15 a course to £60 for the exact same course !. i think what youve been quoted sounds about average. I go to cheap classes with my dog because it was the only class i could get to with my dog because i dont drive and hubby has to take me.

One thing that i personally looked for was a class where the floor wasnt slippy , the one i go to puts rubber strips of matting down for the dogs and you to walk on. I dont know wether this is an important consideration for all breeds but i have a labrador which are prone to Hip dysplasia and i didnt want to risk her hips by having her slipping and sliding on a hard wooden floor.

The other thing i look for is a class where the instructor accepts a variety of methods , some methods are not to my liking so i wont use them fortunatly our instructer seems to allow you to do what works with your dog so we use treats to train and she wears a normal collar, all the rest of the dogs use slip leads and check there dogs . I prefer training with treats than using force so for me it was important that i could do that even tho it is not really the method the instructor uses ( although ive noticed shes started advising treats a lot more ).

hope this helps

natty

 

[fallenangel]

We pay £3 a class for Ondy I delibaratly found an outdoor class as i wanted to make sure she would learn and do her training were it would be used mostly. The only problem with this is making sure you and your dog have good wateerproofe coats.

We checked out a few classes first and decied that the firmer ex police og handeler styal was better for Indy as shes a stuborn sod most of the time and it works with her well but dont think I would have used the same traning meathod for lacey whos much quietr and gental and willing to please.

Pick the class that suites you and especaly your dog. If you not like the teacher or class it wont work out

 

[~whitecross whippets~]

i pay £60 for 6 x1 hour puppy classes...but it is in a beautiful farm setting with indoor barns and plenty of outside safe space (plus animals) to practice recall which is so important...also there is only 1 or 2 others in the class so plenty of attention :thumbsup:

p.s the trainer has been a trainer and behaviourist for 30 years so she knows what she is doing which is always a good idea :lol:

good luck :luck:

 

[boothros]

Think a very important thing to look out for is that both owners and puppies are enjoyning themelves. Although classes shouldnt be overdcrowded, remember that one of your aims is puppy socialization so a club that very exclusive may not be ideal for meeting lots of other people. Go & have a look to see how you feel. Think the price is a bit excessive but remember good puppy classes wil set your dog up for life.The key thing is that the instrucers have patience & empathy with the people and their puppies and show kindness at all times.

 

[OEH]

A friend of mine runs classes and they cost around that, as do the puppy school ones Puppy School link. So the price looks right. I think that the advice to find one that suits your particular puppy is very important. A friend took her Jack Russell to the same classes as I took Tess, it suited Tess perfectly because she is a polite little girl and the class was incredibly gently gently, but the JRT just took the mickey and still does.

 

[jok]

2 1/2 years ago Chloe's puppy foundation course (kennel club) cost £39 for 8 sessions. It was then £4 per session when i did the good citizen scheme. That was with a very reputable trainer who had been crufts obedience champion.