Puppy Basic Manners Classes

[lizbud]

I've signed up for a Puppy Class at PetsMart and met
for the first time last Monday afternoon. (Moms & Dads
only-1st class). Smokey has his first experience with it next
Monday. I'm kind of excited about it. The instructor seems
to know what she's talking about and I think it will be fun.

I just wanted to know if anyone else has had the experience
of taking their young pups to a basic manners class?

Did you learn anything new, or did it benefit your pup?

Thanks, Liz & Moki.

[turner]

Deisel has gone to puppy classes and it was very helpful for him and I did learn lots of new things. It is a start to show them to have manners.

[anna_66]

Yep, it seemed to help Roxey alot, plus she really enjoyed it. I think it's the best thing we ever did for her! I think everyone should do it!

[Dixieland Dancer]

The key thing for puppy classes with dogs under 16 weeks is socialization. After 16 weeks it is for learning to be a good canine. I highly recommend continued classes for as long as possible. It can only help you and your new pup to bond and learn to communicate with each other!

[Cincy'sMom]

We continue to take both of our girls for classes and they love it!!! With Sadie we thought the pups had to have all the shots first, so she missed puppy K, but at 20 wks, we enrolled her in a fmaily manners class. A year later she took advanced family manners, which she had to pass a skilss test in order to go on. Now she is in freestyle and signed up to start agility 11/14.

With Cincy we knew a little more going in, so she started Puppy K at 10 weeks and Puppy 2 right after. We waited til she was 11 months for advnaced, and last week she passed her test. She also will start agility on 11/14.

the trianing has been great. it has socialized the girls with others dogs, and helped us bond even more with them. Until 2 months ago, we could not take both of them for a pleasnt walk... Cincy was still pulling. Now, it is fun!! And, we don't even have to constantly call them back to us, the get so far ahead (when we use long leads) and they check on us!!! It is amazing!

Have fun in your class! It should be a good expereience for both of you!

[lizbud]

Well, Smokey's classes were almost over before he even
began. I had a bad car wreck on the way to work this a. m.
I hit another car that cut across three lanes of traffic and
drove right in front of my car.:eek: My air bag did not inflate
& I hit the steering wheel very hard with my chest. The pain
was intense & I thought sure my ribs had been broken.After
a ambulance ride to the emergency room, x-rays & tests, no
broken bones, but a badly bruised sternum. Hurts like heck.
I kept thinking, I can't be laid up with broken bones, what
about my furkids at home? They need me. :eek:
Anywho, I'll be off work probably till Monday, and guess what?
Moki learned to go down steps by himself today(with a little urging)as I can't lift him without major pain. Boy, that was scary!!!

btw, these classes teach basic stuff, like sit, down, stay,
to come when called, etc. Mostly for socialization, which I
think will be fun. Moki's seems to like everything(people &
other dogs, even kitties):D I didn't start formal classes with
Buddy until 6 mos, so this will be different for me.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Oh Liz, thank goodness you are O.K. What a scare that was.
I will be praying for a quick recovery for you and getting over that pain quickly. I'm so sorry for you. I'm sure Moki will do good and will love being able to play with the other pups.
Jackie

[lizbud]

Thank you for the kind words Jackie.:) :)

You know how they say "my whole life passed before
my eyes". Well...it's true. The pain was so bad, I was
very afraid that I would really be "laid up" for a long
time. I have some pain medicine which I'm taking now
before signing off for bedtime. The Doc actually said to
be prepared to feel even worse tomorrow. It'll be awhile
before the brusing & pain goes away. Good night &
God bless for caring. Hugs to Miss Daisy & Perry. Liz.

[anna_66]

Liz, sorry to hear about the wreck. I'm glad you weren't hurt even worse than you are. Take care of yourself & get some rest while your off.
Anna, Angus, Roxey & Huney

[turner]

Thank God you weren't hurt worse, get well very soon!

[Crikit]

Liz, glad to hear you weren't seriously hurt. Take it easy and get some rest so you're brusied and battered body will heal, but look at it this way you get to spend some time with Moki.

About the classes while I'm thinking about it, I started with both my dogs as soon as I got them...they were both to old for puppy classes by then though so they did obdience a couple of times and then I switched to agility which still needs some obdience but I'm constantly at classes either putting the dogs in one or helping a friend out and I'm constantly learning.

[mommyofotis]

Glad to hear that you are okay! I've been in a wreck before and it is definitely a very traumatic experience...

We took Otis to puppy classes last summer and it was great for him. He already knew most of the basic commands before he went to the classes (sit, lay down, shake, roll over) but obeying them in a room full of people and other puppies is a whole nother story! In our experience the classes were well worth it! He made a lot of new friends, had some great playtimes and the best thing about it for us was that after the classes had ended, quite a few of the owners took advantage of the puppy daycare that the trainers offered so we started taking him a couple of times a week to hang out with his buddies for the day and he absolutely loved it. We still keep in touch with some of the owners/dogs from his class.

[G-Diddy]

Made a world of difference for us

[lizbud]

Well, today was Smokey's first class. It went really well.
The afternoon class is really small, three dogs in all, but
in turned out great. Smokey's classmates are a Pembroke
Welsh Corgi named Murphy(male) and a King Charles
Spaniel named Hanna. Moki is the only mutt in the bunch. :D

We learned basic massage techniques(T-touch), getting
and maintaining pup's attention, and sits.The pup's had
two "free play" sessions in the 1 hour class. Moki excelled
in "free play".:D :D :D I really think this is going to be fun.

[anna_66]

That's great Liz! I'm so glad everthing went so well at class for you and Moki:D

"Free Play" was Roxey's favorite too!

[lizbud]

Anna,

Boy Moki was really primed for that lesson.Before the class
started, I had let him walk along side the shopping cart(as
opposed to in the baby seat) and he was thrilled with his Big
Boy status. We shopped for kitty food and finished just in time
for an outtie before class started. Smokey was sooo excited.
He had a blast.:D It was his first play session with other pups
& he really enjoyed it all. I sure hope that Moki grows up to be
even half the gentleman that Angus seems to be, Such a
sweetie. Hugs to Roxey, Angus & Huney. Liz & Smokey Joe.

[anna_66]

Ahhhh, thanks Liz. If it was possible, Angus would be blushing nowhttp://www.plaudersmilies.de/rotwerd.gif
I'm sure your sweet Moki will be just as much of a gentleman as our Angus is! I'm glad you both had a great time, I knew you would:D

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Liz, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident!! How frightening!! I hope your aches and pains are subsiding. Thank goodness you weren't more seriously hurt! Sounds like you and Moki are really enjoying your classes!! Aren't they fun?? Give Moki a big hug and kiss from all of us! Sandra, Cody and Star!

[lizbud]

All hugs & kisses given from you guys to Moki man. :D
Even threw in a few belly rubs, he loves those...I tell you
folks I'm really starting to fall for this little goober. He has
the sweetest personality.Not to say he's not a nawtee
dog once in a while:D , but that's just high spirits,he's a
healthy little pup. :) We practice his lessons every day &
he catches on very fast. I believe Buddy must have steered
him in my direction. He's a real love bug.
I'm now trying to get Moki to go out to do his potty without
me tagging alone every time.:rolleyes: , but so far, not much
luck. Oh well, we'll keep working on it.

Sandra, I'm still quite sore(brused ribs& all), but on the
whole, I was very lucky, thank God. Hugs to Star & Cody
and all your other critters.:) Liz & Moki.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by lizbud
I'm now trying to get Moki to go out to do his potty without
me tagging alone every time.:rolleyes: , but so far, not much
luck. Oh well, we'll keep working on it.

Sandra, I'm still quite sore(brused ribs& all), but on the
whole, I was very lucky, thank God. Hugs to Star & Cody
and all your other critters.:) Liz & Moki.

Dear Liz,
I am so glad to hear you are feeling better. As for going out with Moki to potty, just thought I share this. I still go out with Dixie at almost 5 years old! She has a tendency with her excellent nose to go out and sniff all around and actually never gets around to potty unless I command her to go. :rolleyes:

I don't have that issue with Dusty though. He like to make his mark about 50 times each time he goes out. I wonder where he stores it all!

[lizbud]

Well, Moki is half way through his puppy classes & seems
to be doing pretty good. Last Monday the pups were tested
on their "downs". I was so proud of Moki, he had learned
"down" on my 2nd try with him at home. The instructor used
Moki as a good example of a "perfect down".:D Now the
walking on leash is a different matter. He has no problem
walking, but doesn't want to go in a straight line.He runs
ahead & I'm supposed to stop walking until he stops pulling
and then continue with loose leash. Moki goes forward,
then backward, then sideways, but only a few steps before
he pulling again. :confused: We are supposed to have this
learned by next Monday. Right !!! I'll keep trying, but he gets
so excited when he gets to walk anywhere outside.:)

[manda99]

Glad the classes are going well!
My Smokey loved the play sessions and by the 3rd class he thought the whole hour was Free Play time :p
I know he was thinking, "Oh, mommy can teach me this at home. I only see my buddy Baxter once a week! Time for playing!!"

heehee


And for taking him out to pee - sometimes I have to walk out there w/ Smokey and tell him to go, too, or he'll just circle the yard and come back in. I especially have to command him to go #2. He'd hold it forever if I'd just let him I think.

[lizbud]

Manda99,

My Smokey is just like your's in that he thinks it's all about
the "Free Play" and of course, the treats.LOL.:D

Moki did suprise me though on Monday. He walked up & down
the isles at the store & didn't pull hardly at all.Our task was to
get two volunteers in the store to greet our dogs & act glad
to see them, etc. Our dogs had to sit or at least not jump up
on the people in order to earn a treat. The instructor did a
demonstration (of the behavior we were to teach) with Murphy
the Corgi. If puppy jumped up, she turned & walked away,
if pup's feet stayed on the floor, he got a treat.Murphy did it
in three tries.So did Moki. I was amazed !!! Positive re-
inforcement, works...and Moki loves meeting the other dogs
and playing, playing, playing. LOL. :D

P.S. I'm going to get some new pics of Moki. He's at least 3
times as big as his little puppy picture.:)

[Rachel]

Oh, Liz, I just ran up on this thread. So glad to hear an account of how *our boy* is doing. And I simply can't wait to see those pictures. I do hope that your injuries from the accident were only temporary, and that by now you are completely healed. Need a LIZ update too, you know. heehee

[lizbud]

Hi Rachel,

Yes, I am feelin a lot better than I have in awhile. It's slow
healing for old folks like me, I guess. LOL.:) I hate to admit
what I wuss I really am, but I pass the same intersection
(where the accident happened) everyday and I still get a
scary feeling about it. It was just so sudden & unexpected.

Anywho.... I'm doing much better pain wise. Moki keeps me
on my toes.:D I've already started taking some new pics.
I swear, he grows seemingly overnight. He's a very loving
pup & loves to sleep on my feet under the dining room
table. I still think of Buddy everyday & my heart sighs.
But, Moki is good medicine for me & I'm trying to be a good
Mom & companion to him. Moki & I send hugs & kisses to
Hannah & Cooper. Liz.

P.S. I'll try to hurry with the pics. :)

[Cookiebaker]

Liz, your classes sound so thorough and fun!! I've been looking into something like this around us, and nothing is coming through. Guess it's one of the downfalls of livinging in the boondocks. :rolleyes:

Moki is such a cutie pie! I can't wait to see more pictures of him. How much does he weigh by now?

[lizbud]

Moki hasn't been back to the Vets since his 4th Vacs &
Rabies shots, so I don't know how much he's gained. I gave
him a bath in the tub this afternoon & by the feel of him I'd
say around 30+ lbs. LOL. Moki is so different then any other
dog I've ever raised. He only whines when he has to go
outside for a potty or when he's really exhausted & ready
to go to bed. He certainly did not like his bath today, but
was not at all vocal about it. He just sat in the tub while I
kept telling him what a good boy he was.:D He smells so
good for now, but tomorrow after his first roll in the grass,
I'm not so sure.:) Monday's task in puppy class is to get
your pup to do a 30 second "settle".(Lay still on the floor).
Moki is put in a sit , then a down, & then must settle & wait
for a treat. He's made it for 10 seconds so far. We'll see...
I'm really enjoying these classes a lot. Can't wait till he's
old enough for obedience classes next month. Can't they
start at 6 months? Liz.

[DogMania]

It hepled my dog so much.

[MHMama]

Ricky loved Puppy Preschool at PetSmart and really excelled in all the lessons. So did we. We were amazed at how much we didn't know.
The funniest thing about the class was Ricky at 2 lbs was the smallest dog there. There was a doberman, pit bull, beagles, and a few other big dogs but no little guys like Ricky. During the last class, the instructor has everyone pass their pup to the person to their left and every 5 minutes he will have you pass a pup again to the left until everyone has had an opportunity to hold and play with each of the other pups. I watched as 2 owners would not touch or handle Ricky in any way. They were actually afraid of him due to pre-conceived notions about Chi's. The instructor thought this was funny because Ricky was the easiest to handle and the quickiest learner but they were still afraid.
http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v0/0/56/53/18305653LRVqmOBqSA_th.jpg

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by lizbud
Can't wait till he's
old enough for obedience classes next month. Can't they
start at 6 months? Liz.

Liz,
The old theory was not to start formal training until the pup was 6 months old. The new theory (which I full heartedly agree with) is to start them as early as possible and continue with no lapses in training for as long as possible or as long as desired. Immediately after puppy kindergarten get Moki into a basic obedience class right away. You do not need to wait until he is 6 months old. It is wonderful to hear how much you and Moki are enjoying each other!!!

[lizbud]

Candy,

Tonight's class will be the 7th of 8 total. I'll check out
the schedules of the upcoming obedience classes. He loves
riding in the car, meeting new people & other dogs so I
know we'll both enjoy it. I picked this first puppy class mainly
for socialization purposes, but I've really learned quite a few
new things myself. I feel like Moki is missing out on some
things by not having other dogs to play with. I have a door
in my living room that leads to the basement from the front
of the house.This door has almost full length mirror facing into
the living room. Many times I've walked into the room & Moki
would be "play bowing" at the doggie in the mirror.I have to
laugh, but it's kind of sad in a way.So he just drags some of
his toys into that room & plays with them on the floor in front
of the mirror. :) What a character. My Moki man.:D Liz.

[Rachel]

Originally posted by lizbud
Candy,

. I have a door in my living room that leads to the basement from the front of the house.This door has almost full length mirror facing into the living room. Many times I've walked into the room & Moki would be "play bowing" at the doggie in the mirror.I have to laugh, but it's kind of sad in a way.So he just drags some of
his toys into that room & plays with them on the floor in front
of the mirror. :) What a character. My Moki man.:D Liz.

Liz, if you ever come to Chicago to visit your daughter, bring Moki and stop in by us. Hannah and Tucker would be glad to have him play. We got bunches of toys, a fenced in back yard and I think they would all get along just fine. Playing in front of the mirror is just about the cutest story I have ever heard.

[Cincy'sMom]

Many times I've walked into the room & Moki
would be "play bowing" at the doggie in the mirror.I have to
laugh, but it's kind of sad in a way.So he just drags some of
his toys into that room & plays with them on the floor in front
of the mirror.

That is too cute!!! Maybe someday Moki can get a little friend to play with! Sadie sure seemed to like it when we gother a little sis...

With Cincy we went from a Puppy kindergarten into what was called "Puppy agility and more". It continued the basics started in Puppy K and started to introduce agility obstacles. Keep going with the classes if you can..it is fun for them and a great time to bond with them!

[lizbud]

Thanks Rachel, Moki would love it I know. :) He might not
want to come home.:D

This afternoon at class, one person was running late to
class so we all just talked & let the pups play. There was
an older lady who came up to the gate area & Moki went
right up to her( butt wagging all the way) and she asked me
what "kind" of dog he was. I explained he was an adopted
mix, etc. She thought he was very cute, etc. & we made
small talk for a few minutes. She then showed me a dog collar
that she had in her hand. A small red collar with shiney bangels
on it. She kept fingering the the collar as she told us that she
was getting a new puppy for Christmas. A Miniature Schnauzer.
She then said she had lost two Schnauzers(16 yrs) and (14)
years old within the last two months . Her eyes looked so very
sad as she spoke, but she was trying so hard to act enthused
about her new addition to her family. She clearly was still in
great morning for her other dogs. I felt a very deep connection
for her loss. I stayed and talked to her for awhile & told her
how nice it was to be looking forward to a puppy for Christmas.
I wanted so badly just to reach out & hug her and tell her about
Buddy, but I didn't. Just told her I hoped to see her again when
she went shopping with her new puppy. I really do hope I see
her again. Maybe she'll be able to give a real smile next time.

[lizbud]

Cincy'sMom,

At yesterday's puppy class, I asked about Obedience
lessons. The instructor advised that Moki next go into what
they call "Advanced" Puppy class then after that the formal
obedience class. I don't think it's a ploy to sell more lessons,
it's just her honest opinion. I'm signing up for the next class
tomorrow.It will start on Dec. 14th at 4pm. The classes are
really not that expensive and they are something we both
enjoy & learn from. Besides, it's colder than heck outside, so
we don't get may walks for fun.:D Liz & Smilin' Moki :D

[lizbud]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid41/p62f6d8bd06af3cf935143c7524d21e76/fcf7b4f9.jpg

Moki graduated from Puppy Kindergarten tonight & is he
pooped.:D He studied real hard for his test:D

[Cincy'sMom]

Congrats Moki!!! Have fun in your next class!!!

[lizbud]

Thanks from Moki Cincy'sMom,

Actually I made a mistake earlier, the next class does'nt
start until Jan. 14, not Dec 14th. It'll give me a breather
in between and I need to schedule the operation for his
neutering in the next week or so.The Instructor told us not
to stop training everyday even though we're not in class.
"Must reinforce the things they've already learned":D It never
ends;)

[Cincy'sMom]

It never ends

isn't that the truth!!!

I'm not sure what class we are going to do next, or if we will take a breather. we signed the girls up for beginning agility, which would have ended Dec. 26, and then we were going to do advanced this winter. Befoer the class started though, they got bumped up tp advanced, so now I don't know what I want to do. I would like to continue Freestyle with Sadie, but I am sorta hoping they ask us to help again, cuase I'm not sure I want to pay to keep taking them same class, although I like the oppertunity to work with Sadie and pick up new stuff. Anyway..we'll come up with something!!!

[Dixieland Dancer]

Congratulations on graduating from Puppy class Moki and Liz! You guys make a great team!!! :D