Puppy training classes rant!

skintandscared_2

arghhhhh, how does anyone find a good local puppy training/socialisation class?!

All the ones I can find are either MILES away (and Teddy does not travel well in the car!) or are set "terms" that start soon with class 1, meaning I have no chance of checking it out before signing us up.

Our pup was not planned (in as much as we knew we wanted a pup but were waiting for the right one to come along, just didn't expect it to be so soon!) so I couldn't check out classes last term.

I might end up having to get someone to come to our house for 1-2-1, but I wanted him to have the socialisation element as well

How does everyone else find their training classes?!

joansgirl

I don't take mine to training classes. All the ones where I live seem to be one massive free for all. She'll get better training and socialisation from me!

krlyr

https://www.apdt.co.uk is a good place to look. As others have said, you can offer socialization outside of classes - infact, exposure to polite adult dogs with good body language is better than unrestrained rough play with other puppies IMO

skintandscared_2

Thanks for the link krlyr but there's nobody anywhere near us. The people/dogs round our way are pretty rough We did have a playdate with my friend's 3 year old labradoodle a couple of weeks ago. They were very good together and there wasn't any fighting, but Teddy was a bit scared of her, bless him. He's still sooo tiny really. I'm scared to let other dogs near him in the park in case they bite him. He's so passive - he just rolls on his back as soon as another dog goes near him LOL

Person_one

skintandscared wrote: »

Thanks for the link krlyr but there's nobody anywhere near us. The people/dogs round our way are pretty rough We did have a playdate with my friend's 3 year old labradoodle a couple of weeks ago. They were very good together and there wasn't any fighting, but Teddy was a bit scared of her, bless him. He's still sooo tiny really. I'm scared to let other dogs near him in the park in case they bite him. He's so passive - he just rolls on his back as soon as another dog goes near him LOL

That's good! Let that happen! Don't let your fears get in the way of having a well socialised, well mannered dog. Meeting adult dogs is the best way to do this.

Why not have a look for dog walker meet ups online? Even if you have to drive a fair distance it is so so good for your pup to mix with other dogs at this young age. It'll be the best thing you ever do for him.

skintandscared_2

Person_one wrote: »

That's good! Let that happen! Don't let your fears get in the way of having a well socialised, well mannered dog. Meeting adult dogs is the best way to do this.

Why not have a look for dog walker meet ups online? Even if you have to drive a fair distance it is so so good for your pup to mix with other dogs at this young age. It'll be the best thing you ever do for him.

Thank you. Now I think about it there are a couple of nice people around who have dogs. Might have to see what I can sort out. I don't do the daily walks - OH is home all day and he does them. Unfortunately one dog did get up over Ted and got teeth round his neck and it's freaked my OH out a bit. And I stupidly told him about the post on here where a 12 week old beagle was killed by dogs out on his walk I think he now avoids any contact with other dogs.

Person_one

skintandscared wrote: »

Thank you. Now I think about it there are a couple of nice people around who have dogs. Might have to see what I can sort out. I don't do the daily walks - OH is home all day and he does them. Unfortunately one dog did get up over Ted and got teeth round his neck and it's freaked my OH out a bit. And I stupidly told him about the post on here where a 12 week old beagle was killed by dogs out on his walk I think he now avoids any contact with other dogs.

No no no no no!

One of the biggest problems with dogs out and about these days is that so many of them haven't been socialised properly as puppies. Please don't get too paranoid, you can't let the fear of something that will probably never happen have such an impact on your dog's life.

My own dogs are small, and at first I was a bit nervous when they were greeting and playing with bigger dogs, but then I had a firm word with myself because the pleasure and the benefit that they get from interacting with other dogs is definitely worth the very small risk of them being injured by one. Watching dogs play fight can be a bit unnerving at first, if dogs want to bite each other, they do! A bit of mouthing is generally harmless play.

He's got 15 or so years of walks and life ahead of him, don't let anxiety rule them!

skintandscared_2

I will have a word with OH I think. Maybe we could start taking him out together when I get home, while there's still enough light. I agree, I want him to interact with other dogs.

Shepherd1

Person_one wrote: »

No no no no no!

One of the biggest problems with dogs out and about these days is that so many of them haven't been socialised properly as puppies. Please don't get too paranoid, you can't let the fear of something that will probably never happen have such an impact on your dog's life.

My own dogs are small, and at first I was a bit nervous when they were greeting and playing with bigger dogs, but then I had a firm word with myself because the pleasure and the benefit that they get from interacting with other dogs is definitely worth the very small risk of them being injured by one. Watching dogs play fight can be a bit unnerving at first, if dogs want to bite each other, they do! A bit of mouthing is generally harmless play.

He's got 15 or so years of walks and life ahead of him, don't let anxiety rule them!

This is a worry for me too but from the other side, I was never too keen to let my dog play with smaller ones not because she would bite but just because of her size and weight. There is a little westie that she loves and I gave in and let her play with him, they have a great time and although I do still worry about her standing on him they seem to manage the size difference fine.

Person_one

Shepherd1 wrote: »

This is a worry for me too but from the other side, I was never too keen to let my dog play with smaller ones not because she would bite but just because of her size and weight. There is a little westie that she loves and I gave in and let her play with him, they have a great time and although I do still worry about her standing on him they seem to manage the size difference fine.

They seem to be able to figure it out between themselves!

Although I did once meet a huge Malamute puppy that sent one of mine absolutely flying with a tiny nudge of a massive paw! No harm done though, even little dogs are pretty hardy.

con1888

Why not look up any local dog shows/charity events ( although there will be less now its nearing the winter) all the dogs their should be on leads and there should be lots of experienced owners who will not let their dogs be aggressive to others.