Puppy School and Dog interaction.

This is a place to gain some understanding of dog behavior and to assist people in training their dogs and dealing with common behavior problems, regardless of the method(s) used. This can cover the spectrum from non-aversive to traditional methods of dog training. There are many ways to train a dog. Please avoid aggressive responses, and counter ideas and opinions with which you don't agree with friendly and helpful advice. Please refrain from submitting posts that promote off-topic discussions. Keep in mind that you may be receiving advice from other dog owners and lovers... not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a trainer or behaviorist!

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Moe Jr.

I fall on my- face..

Barked: Sun Feb 12, '12 9:32pm PST


	I have been looking into puppy school for Moe. He will be 7 weeks on the 13th. When is a good age to start puppy school? After talking to the vet last week and now reading on the puppy school I am slightly confused. The vet told us he cannot go outfront or in other areas on the ground or be around other dogs because the risk of parvo. She has also told us that Moe couldn't even interact with my cousins BC pup or their other dogs. She also said our adult dogs (Chewy,Snoopy,Baby) cannot interact with my cousins dogs either or any other dogs. Other vets have told us that they can be around dogs we know that have had their shots in our home or in the other dogs home. We are going to talk to the same vet again or our other vet about him and our other dogs at least being able to socialize with my cousins dogs, because we don't want to wait until they are over 4months old to meet each other. (There are two vets, but on Monday our main vet wasn't in.) Most of the puppy classes are saying puppies just need their first two sets of shots and they can attend classes at 8 weeks old and up. The vet also told us our adult dogs cannot even go on walks or outside the home because parvo can get on them and they can shed it through their stools. I really want to do everything right with this new puppy and I'm just wondering about all of this. When we had Snoopy as a pup the vet was still concerned about parvo, and gave us all the basic rules, but this is the first time we've been told our adult dogs needed to pretty much be quarantined until puppy has all of his shots.

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Lenny

Lenny -The- Wrecking Ball

Barked: Sun Feb 12, '12 10:00pm PST


	It was my understanding (being told from both the rescue and the vet) that play dates with adult dogs I knew were healthy and vaccinated on property that hadn't been exposed was fine. But to avoid public places where you couldn't be sure (such as pet stores) until the puppy was 4 months. I know most puppy classes are for pups 8 weeks and up, and I would begin puppy classes as soon as you can. IMO As long as all the puppies are vaccinated and the facility is kept clean (and your puppy is healthy of course) the your pup should be fine. Socialization is so important, and puppy classes or play groups help your puppy learn the social rules and to be comfortable around other dogs and also people. And you only have a small window of time. Once a pup is 8 weeks old, I'd want my pup to start some kind of puppy kindergarten even if you don't start an obedience class until later.

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MT TOP's- Secret- Agent,- C.G.C.

R.I.P. Kahaus

Barked: Sun Feb 12, '12 10:49pm PST


	Most puppy classes are 8 weeks and over. I wouldn't take a pup to classes before that. Afterward, however, take him out as much as possible as long as he's up on his shots. IMO, the reasoning behind keeping pups away from other dogs while they're young is the same reasoning behind the old (OLD) medical advice to mothers of infants not to kiss their children for risk of disease. If I were you, I'd take commonsense precautions... and commonsense risks.

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Tiller- (Skansen's- Ira in the M

I DO Exist...To- Drive You Batty

Barked: Mon Feb 13, '12 8:12am PST


	OT, but that is one of the cutest puppies I have seen in my entire life!

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Lucille

I am the Sock- Bandit!!!

Barked: Mon Feb 13, '12 11:04am PST


	I can understand the caution in high dog traffic areas before all puppy shots are done...but after learning just how brief that very critical socialization window is for puppies, it made sense to me to weigh the benefits with the risks. I did take my pup to puppy socialization classes and carried her in areas that had a lot of traffic, outside stores etc. to get her used to all sorts of people. If you can carry your pup, that eliminates a lot of his exposure to the common illnesses that effect young puppies. You can also ask the vet how common parvo is in your area. Some places have a very low occurrence, so if you're not putting your puppy directly on the ground where lots of unvaccinated dogs walk, your risk is pretty low. Other areas have recently had a spike in parvo, obviously if that's near where you live, the risk may be more of a concern. Moe is totally adorable...all those wrinkles! and that face...

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Shayne- *~*~*CGC*~*~- *

Shayne- Disc Doggin in- the 'Burgh!

Barked: Mon Feb 13, '12 11:38am PST


	I think starting at a GOOD puppy school at 8 weeks is perfectly fine. I've heard students say that their vet said they coudlnt' enroll their puppies into class until FOUR MONTHS because they needed ALL of their shots--well, one of the major socialization periods ends around 4 months. A GOOD puppy class will make sure ALL puppies have a minimum of 2 series of vaccinations (so none of the puppies in class should have parvo). A GOOD puppy class will be held in a facility that only allows vaccinated adults (or adults who had vaccines as puppies and have titers). A good puppy class will make sure the floors are mopped with a disinfectant to prevent the spread of anything wonky. These precautions makes taking puppy to puppy class a low-risk endeavor... there is certainly some risk but it's worth it IMO to get started on socialization and building a great working bond. Now, I DO avoid dog parks, big-box pet stores (so i would probably not take puppy class at one) and other public places where lots of dogs congregate. These are places where any dog, vaccinated or not... sick or not.. can be together and cause illness. Those I avoid until puppy has the full course of boosters (or avoid them entirely). AVSAB's Statement on Puppy Socialization (pdf)

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Eleanor

1229799

Barked: Mon Feb 13, '12 3:17pm PST


	We started our puppy in preschool class at 8.5 weeks. She had JUST had her first round of boosters and was definitely the smallest in the class (but luckily a very well run and small class of about 5 dogs). We put her in the class against the advice of our vet after doing some research and I'm really glad we did. I would make sure of a few key things before you start a class: - Make sure the class has an enrollment cap and that the play will be supervised by enough trainers and professionals to make sure that the puppies are playing nice and not engaging in any dangerous play that crosses a line, especially if there are big size differences in the class. - Make sure the class requires proof that all dogs are up to date on their shots, not that they have to have had all of them, just that htey are up to date with what they should have by now. - We had her checked for parvo before we started the class using a fecal sample, and if you can do that its an extra step to make sure you don't spread anything around to other puppies. Anyway, from my experience, I am SO glad we went for it and enrolled her early. I already started a puppy agility class with her now that shes 14 weeks and it's nice to have already done the puppy preschool with her. I also found that she is VERY excitable and almost impossible to focus aroudn other puppies, which I'm glad I realized at 8 weeks and not later on when she's even stronger and harder to control. Will definitely need some work on that, but glad I got a headstart!

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Moe Jr.

I fall on my- face..

Barked: Mon Feb 13, '12 9:10pm PST


	Thanks Lucille and Tiller, he's so cute and wrinkly. Thanks for the responses everyone, I'm definitely going to try to get him enrolled as soon as he gets his next set of shots. I've just been looking around and I haven't really found any puppy schools in our area yet, so I decided to check out the Petco and Petsmart puppy classes, from what I've been reading it doesn't sound bad. Whenever I'm in Petco I always see the employees asking people if their dogs have had their shots when they bring their dogs into the store, so that's a plus I guess. Has anyone here had experience with Petco/Petsmart classes? Do you think I should keep looking? Edited by author Mon Feb 13, '12 9:13pm PST

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Shayne- *~*~*CGC*~*~- *

Shayne- Disc Doggin in- the 'Burgh!

Barked: Tue Feb 14, '12 6:09am PST


	I'm of the opinion that puppy class trainers should be some of the most experienced trainers out there. It sounds contrary to instinct since they are just puppies and the training they get during class is generally basic BUT I think it takes an experienced trainer to appropriately supervise the play of 6-10 puppies. They know when to break up play, how to allow more shy puppies to have their play time, when it's mutual play, when another dog isn't comfortable with the play, how to encourage fearful puppies, how to build desirable behaviors prior to being allowed to play, and they know when a dog is displaying undesirable behaviors during play. Unfortunately, what often happens is that the more inexperienced trainers lead puppy class because they generally don't encounter dogs with problems and the training is very basic. Many Petco/Petsmart trainers are not terribly experienced (though some absolutely are you just have to check) and don't have specific training on how to supervise puppy play. I would ask to sit in on a class to see how it's run, to see how they supervise the play, how they address problem behaviors during play, etc. I'd check out petco/smart and talk to the trainer about their experience, ask to sit in on a class to observe, but i'd also look for another puppy class with another trainer who may be more experienced or has better skills (if you send a pawmail withyour location I can search around or ask some colleagues about good places near you).

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Bogie

Have cats -- Will Chase!

Barked: Tue Feb 14, '12 9:05am PST


	I have taken two puppy classes with 2 different dogs at my local Petsmart. 90% for the socialization/playtime, and 10% for the training. They mop the floors after each class and have it in a walled-off area in the store. Usually there are only 3-4 pups in a class, so not an overwhelming number. I think they're great for convenience and socialization. However. My BIG complaint with them is they allow anyone in the family to be in there with the pup. So you might have a whole family with mom, dad, a screaming toddler, a 5 year old running around, etc. in the class with you and nothing is said to the parents to 'control' their children. At least that's my experience.

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