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. 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.
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) 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.

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". 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

"Free Play" was Roxey's favorite too!