Hey guys, I am debating on whether or not to take Kooper to puppy preschool. I found a dog trainer in my town that has great reviews and called him. He offers eight 40 minutes private sessions over an 8 week period for $110. He said we would learn heel, sit, sit-stay, stay, down, down-stay, up, up-stay, nutrition, housebreaking, etc. It sounds great, and the money is not really an issue, but I wonder if I could teach Kooper all these myself and save 110 bucks? What do you guys think-have you done puppy kindergarten before-was it worth it? Thanks to everyone who responds!
Puppy Kindergarten or no Puppy Kindergarten, that is the question!
- Thread starter ashmin
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I think that puppy kindergarten is a great idea! It is well worth is, as the puppies not only learn great things, they also get a great deal of socialization with other puppies and other humans.
And you will learn quite a bit as well, that you may not consider otherwise.
I don't think that I would ever own another dog without putting in through puppy kindergarten and basic obedience..
And you will learn quite a bit as well, that you may not consider otherwise.
I don't think that I would ever own another dog without putting in through puppy kindergarten and basic obedience..
I'd say instead of the private sessions find a group puppy kindergarten class. Yes you could teach Kooper on your own, but the point of puppy kindergarten is to SOCIALIZE with other dogs in a safe environment... especially before they complete their shots, or even just after.
My own dog is 4 years old, and we just went back into a beginner's class to up his socialization (hard to do with my mix), as well as work on things I haven't been able to teach on my own.
- megan
My own dog is 4 years old, and we just went back into a beginner's class to up his socialization (hard to do with my mix), as well as work on things I haven't been able to teach on my own.
- megan
Really? Yah, plus he is going to be such a big dog. I want him to be a dog that I can take anywhere and not have to have him on a leash, ya know? I thought it would be great for socialization too, but the kindergarten class would only me, the trainer, and kooper. However, after we complete puppy kindergarten, we could then enroll in basic obedience, which would be with other dogs. Thanks for the advice!
Yah, that's another thing, I know socialization is very important between 7-12weeks....we wouldn't be done with our puppy kindergarten class until kooper was 16wks old-then it might be too late to get him used to other dogs? I don't know what to do?! I haven't heard of any other good dog trainers in the area!
16 weeks isn't necessarily too old to get him around other dogs, but it just makes more since to introduce him as soon as you can.
Again.. if it were me, I would just look around for a place that offers the group classes for puppy kindergarten. Because in most of them, the dogs get to play together and everything as well as socialize with the people.
Since there can be all age dogs in basic obedience then they probably won't get to play with each other or anything.
If you can't find any then I think that private would be better than nothing. You could still take him out on the town with you to meet other people and other dogs.. But have you asked your vet if they can recommend anyone? My trainer didn't do any advertising in the phonebook, so I didn't know she existed until I talked to the vet..
Again.. if it were me, I would just look around for a place that offers the group classes for puppy kindergarten. Because in most of them, the dogs get to play together and everything as well as socialize with the people.
Since there can be all age dogs in basic obedience then they probably won't get to play with each other or anything.
If you can't find any then I think that private would be better than nothing. You could still take him out on the town with you to meet other people and other dogs.. But have you asked your vet if they can recommend anyone? My trainer didn't do any advertising in the phonebook, so I didn't know she existed until I talked to the vet..
We started puppy socialization/class when Barley was 15 weeks, and it worked wonders for his behavior. The first day he was super aggressive, and by the end he was the class clown. He loved it, and it made a remarkable improvement in his demeanor with other dogs. Enroll him soon! It won't be too late at 16 weeks, or even older, but it helps to start young.
What great responses!! Puppy class is IMO the most important class you'll ever take your dog to. The only time I ever train a puppy on a private training bases is if there's some reason (illness, injury) that he's unable to attend group classes. The socialization is invaluable at this time and is done in a safe environment (I ask that pups have 2nd series of shots plus Bordatella protection) unlike park and public areas. Asking a few Vets. to recommend a good trainer is a really smart idea and also, if you have time ask if you can sit in on a class before making a committment so that you can make sure that the training methods match what you're looking for. Good Luck! Puppy class is a blast, it's my absolute favorite class to teach because owners are so enthusiastic and of course the puppies are delicious
I wouldn't skip puppy play & kindergarten classes for the world! We are taking Fozzie June 17th, he will be about 15 weeks by then. Pups should not be exposed to public parks/dogs until 14 weeks. The biggest plus to puppy class is the socialization and manners that other dogs teach them, AND they will learn to perform commands with distractions, which is super important.
As far as your puppy growing up into a dog that you can take everywhere off-leash, why would you want to? =/ He is obviously very precious to you, so why risk not leashing him, and leaving him open to passing cars, cruel strangers, other dogs, etc? Off-leash dogs in public is one of my pet peeves, sorries. I've seen 2 off-leash dogs killed by a car, right in front of me, while on a walk with their owner.
As far as your puppy growing up into a dog that you can take everywhere off-leash, why would you want to? =/ He is obviously very precious to you, so why risk not leashing him, and leaving him open to passing cars, cruel strangers, other dogs, etc? Off-leash dogs in public is one of my pet peeves, sorries. I've seen 2 off-leash dogs killed by a car, right in front of me, while on a walk with their owner.
That's so so sad. I totally admire you for going through that on a daily basis, I would end up breaking down and/or beating some one up :/... Some people forget that, even though they're wonderful and smart, their dogs are still dogs! Why don't they just let a 2 year-old run wild through the streets?
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Yeah it is sad. Just yesterday a miniature poodle was brought in screeching from the pain and his leg was literally torn open from being hit by a car. I wanted to kill the owners, so I just stayed in the back of the clinic until they left. They ended up putting the dog down because there was so much damage done. And then the owners had the nerve to say that it was the driver's fault. But the dog was running loose. I think people forget that dogs are dogs. The don't think "oh let me not run into the street because I don't want to get hit" their thinking "umm, rabbit, time for dinner" and just dart out. Thats why when I'm outside my dogs are ALWAYS on a leash. I don't take chances with their safety.
I always see 2 year old run out in the middle of the street. When I see kids on the sidewalk and I'm driving by, I get so nervous because you never know if they are going to dart out in front of you. When I'm driving I am constantly looking for little kids and dogs.
I always see 2 year old run out in the middle of the street. When I see kids on the sidewalk and I'm driving by, I get so nervous because you never know if they are going to dart out in front of you. When I'm driving I am constantly looking for little kids and dogs.
-About the off-leash thing: Wow, I didn't even think of it like that. I guess I just admire really well behaved dogs, ya know?! Even with well-behaved dogs there is that chance that they might get a wild hair and jet off into traffic! Scary! Oh and I found another class offered in my town that is a group class, so I'll be taking Kooper to it!