Are puppy classes really a must?

[falconry-fan]

I've just came back from our first puppy class with my American Bulldog pup. It wasn't a good experience.

He was attacked,though thankfully not bitten,as soon as he went in the door,by a large dog, that really shook him up. A number of other smaller dogs also went for him.

I have sensory issues and the class was too large,too loud and confusing,with approximately 30 dogs and handlers,it was hard to hear and take in the instructions.

I also felt that the handler who was assigned to us, was too rough with him,though pleasant enough to talk to,perhaps not overly rough, but I wasn't comfortable with it,and his eyes were bloodshot by the end of it.
He was shaking all the way home,and that isn't like him.
Personally I favour positive reinforcement.

I don't intend to take him back,and I'm wondering if I should try to find another puppy class,or if it's fine to train him myself at home,with clicker training,and if necessary later to pay for one to one sessions with a dog trainer.

I take him into a fairly busy town centre every day and do what I can to socialise him when out.

Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated

 

[CaliTerp07]

Thirty dogs!?

That's waaaay too many to be safely under control! The puppy classes offered at my trainer are 8 or less dogs, and are all positive reinforcement. I would not go back to that facility.

Half the value of puppy class is training if you don't know how to do it yourself, but the other half is socialization and getting comfortable around other dogs (which is harder to do yourself). I would look at finding another (better) place to go, or start visiting other dogs who you know are friendly and can help socialize your pup.

 

[falconry-fan]

Yes,30. I thought that far too many. Not all were on the floor for training,though 18 or so were,and there were another 12 or with owners sitting down or on the stage.


If a fight had started,you're right,there'd have been major trouble.

He did have fun with a rottie pup that he really took to,but I don't think it's worth going back for that alone.

TY for the advice.

 

[falconry-fan]

There seemed to be very little positive reinforcement.Very little praising or treats when he did sit or stay which I thought was odd,but as he's my first pup,though not my first dog,I wasn't sure if this normal.

 

[Laurelin]

I wish I had done puppy classes with Mia. I don't think they're a must but they're probably a good thing to do. I've never taken one.

But that said I think no puppy class would be much much better than staying in a bad puppy class. I'd stop going if I were you. I would look for somewhere else to go but if I couldn't find something, I'd just double up on socializing and training and do it myself.

 

[Zoom]

I think puppy classes have a huge benefit to them, BUT they must be GOOD classes! A class of 30 is WAAAAAY too many dogs to be dealing with, it's nothing but an exercise in overstimulation.

I'd go find a different class, one that is more relaxed and positive-based. There should be plenty of options around, so just start looking.

 

[mrose_s]

I think GOOD puppy classes are invaluable. I can't imagine how I would have got Quinn to come out of her self and get more comfortable around other dogs without it.

In hers the shyer puppies could sit up on laps untill they got confident enough to interact, the owners were encourages to stay by their dogs incase they looked lost, scared or got too rough we could intervene. Quinn's first class she was either on my lap, under my chair or underneath me while I squatted down on the ground. After the rowdier puppies were put back on leash the shyer/smaller ones were let off to explore on their own without being bounced all over. Quinn gained so much confidence in the 6 weeks or so we went. Her last class she was doing mad zoomies and rough housing with a GR twice her size.

 

[PWCorgi]

Like others have said, puppy classes are GREAT...but you can't just go to any old one.

The trainer I work with right now has a limit of 6 puppies in her classes, and the classes are basically all about how to get the puppy ready for life with humans and started on basic things like sit, stay, LLW, etc.
Thirty dogs is outrageous! I would not go back.

If/When I have a puppy it will definitely be going to puppy class, if only for the socialization aspect.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Good puppy classes are few and far between imo Just like good trainers. There should be NO CORRECTIONS in puppy class. IMO there should also be very little obedience in puppy class as well. Puppy class is about building socialization with people and other dogs usually towards to goal of a happy healthy housepet. Lots of treats, lots of pets, lots of play with maybe a little luring.

Personally I wouldn't go back to these people. You can accomplish this goal on your own by simply taking your puppy with you places.

 

[Sit Stay]

Sounds like it was just a terrible place - poor puppy and poor you! Like others have said, puppy classes are great if you can find a good trainer. It's so important that they're socialized.

Quinn will be starting her puppy classes next weekend - we've known the trainer for quite some time so I'm working there one night a week to pay off Quinn's class. I went last night to get the feel of things and her puppy class was 6 puppies. It started with an off leash play session in two groups (smaller puppies, and bigger, rougher puppies) and then they put them back on the leash to work on simple commands. It was very positive.

I'd definitely start looking for a new class ASAP, especially since your poor pup now has had a bad experience. We went through the same thing when my old JRT was a puppy - we went to another place that was very close and convenient, it was a large group and absolute chaos. There was no separating the puppies - everyone got let loose, and although Grace wasn't attacked, she got play-mauled by a big Golden puppy and that really scared her and set her back. We never went a second time.

 

[milos_mommy]

Like everyone else said, a good class is IMMENSELY helpful.

A bad class, is at best, a waste of time, and at worse can seriously damage your dog psychologically.

If you can find a class that uses positive reinforcement based training, has a group size you're comfortable with, and doesn't allow aggressive or rude puppies to bother your dog, it is absolutely a good idea.

If not, just work on basic commands on your own but be absolutely sure you socialize the puppy well. If you have friends with dogs, take advantage of that...just let him have as many different positive experiences, particularly with other dogs, as possible, and try your absolute hardest not to let him have a bad experience again.

 

[CharlieDog]

If you do go it alone, be sure to take him out where he'll see strange dogs, and preferably somewhere were he can interact with strange dogs. If you only socialize him with a set group of dogs, even if he sees other dogs a lot, he may still be afraid of them.

My neighbors thought that socializing their puppy with their dogs and all of our dogs would get their puppy to be social, but in reality, it just teaches that this set group of dogs is okay to play with and be around.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Here's a great article about how to choose the rigth trainer and class. The most important thing is to observe a class (without your dog) before signing up for the class so that you know what you're getting into.

 

[goosey]

Around 30 dogs and handlers is insane. My sis has a 5 month old pup and we took her to puppy classes while she was young, it was great there were around 6 to 8 other pups at a time tops and once they got too big and rough they were "kicked out" in the nicest possible way.
Personally I agree with it, i think its a great idea for socialisation and distraction training. Quinn now is fine with other dogs and pups and is great at sitting quietly during distracting situations, however it's often hard to find a good one.
I took my Mac to one at my local vet when she was a puppy and it was terrible, i was only 13 at the time and went alone but i had enough sense to know it would be a bad idea to continue. There were about 6 puppies and all huge compared to my tiny pup, the women who ran it let them run over and monster her and they really scared her.
I would recommend hunting around and finding a good quiet place for your baby to learn to relax in the presence of other dogs.

 

[lippylulu]

What a horrid experience. I had somethng similar hapen when I was a first ttime dog owner and brought my 6 month old rescued Italian Greyhound (all 12 pounds of him) to a class where they required a choke collar on all the dogs. I have since learned you never use a choke on a greyhound or other sensitive breed and any good dog trainer should know that. One correction and he could't stop shaking. I left in tears.

Definitely look into a much smaller class. The last 2 puppy clases I went to had about a 10 dogs, a teacher, and 1 or 2 assistants. It was a little chaotic but the instructors were always in charge. The dogs learned the basics and then had free play time with soem agility. There was penty of space so the shy and younger dogs could hang out in a quiet spot and get to know a more quiet friend.

I really think puppy kindergarten helped my dogs but finding the right class is key!

 

[Barb04]

So sorry you had this experience. Puppy classes here only have maybe from 4 to 10 dogs at the most in a class. They should be good experiences for the dog, not what you went through. I would not go back to that class.

 

[smeagle]

A good puppy class can be great for the average pet owner, I wouldn't do one with my future pups though.

 

[lizzybeth727]

A good puppy class can be great for the average pet owner, I wouldn't do one with my future pups though.

I've been a professional trainer for over six years, and I've taught more puppy classes than I can begin to count. But I still plan on taking at least two puppy classes with my next puppy, THAT's how important I think they are.

 

[SisMorphine]

I've been a professional trainer for over six years, and I've taught more puppy classes than I can begin to count. But I still plan on taking at least two puppy classes with my next puppy, THAT's how important I think they are.

Yup same here.

But in he same token what you have described seems to be completely nightmarish. I would call and ask for your money back and look into other local schools.

 

[smeagle]

I've been a professional trainer for over six years, and I've taught more puppy classes than I can begin to count. But I still plan on taking at least two puppy classes with my next puppy, THAT's how important I think they are.

What do you think you gain from a puppy school that you couldn't gain anywhere else?

The socialisation aspect is something I know that I can cover well without needing to attend a class. It's not that I think I know it all (far from it - I will still use a specific training program designed by my behaviourist to ensure I am raising my puppy the right way). I train in a very specific way and I am yet to find a puppy school that accommodates the way I would want to raise and train my puppy.