Puppy Socialization - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ILuvYorkieToes · 08-29-2007, 10:16 PM

Does anyone have experience with Yorkies and puppy socialization classes? I am thinking about enrolling in one but I'm afraid that the other dogs may be much larger than my baby. Any suggestions?

afrye06 · 08-30-2007, 03:26 AM

roman used to be terrified of other dogs. hes almost 6 months now and 4.7 lbs (the smallest one in his class). were taking out last petsmart training class this weekend. since the class started ive seen a great improvement with him around other dogs. he will even play with the bigger, aggressive ones now. theres also a little italian greyhound in my class who was probably more shy then roman and shes also come out of her shell from taking these classes. so i would recommend the petsmart classes (if you have a good one by you, because ive heard of some bad trainers at some petsmarts) they help train your dog as well as socialize your baby.

Izzy Princess · 08-30-2007, 04:06 AM

I had the same issue but I enrolled Izzy in clicker training for puppies (the class only took up to 16 week puppies) and she was 20 weeks. I explained to the trainers that she is so, so tiny and they agreed since they new the Yorkie breed. Well in our class - she was the tiny one for the entire class time (8 weeks) - we had a Golden Retriever, Jack Russell and other "big" puppies as compared to Izzy. It was funny to see at the end of 8 weeks how all these "puppies" got so big and little Izzy didn't budge an inch.

This was the best decision - as it was the other pups who had to learn to socialize with Izzy - she was fearless of them and what "they" had to learn was not to paw her - they wanted to stomp on her and play. By the end of this class they were all letting her roll on them, jump, lick, kiss, all the while laying down. It was something to see and I can kick myself now for not taking a camera, but I will now when I go tonight to start Puppy II clicker training.

Have fun - and don't worry - good luck and go for it - you won't be sorry.

PS - I didn't go to PetsMart - I found an actual training class that is known for its clicker training.

you can also check out: www.clickertraining.com and it has tons of info

Iheartroxie · 08-30-2007, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrye06

so i would recommend the petsmart classes (if you have a good one by you, because ive heard of some bad trainers at some petsmarts) they help train your dog as well as socialize your baby.

Yep! I would recommend petsmart training classes too! Roxie just graduated from the puppy education class and we begin the intermediate class in a few weeks. We have a great trainer at our petsmart. Roxie was also the smallest in her class. In the beginning Roxie kept mostly to herself and would jump in my lap whenever she was scared but by the end she became more feisty and interested in playing with other dogs. Great socialization!

Yorkiekids · 08-30-2007, 04:25 AM

I'm taking Penny to class too. I need to socalize her with people as well as with dogs, so I hope it works.

ILuvYorkieToes · 08-30-2007, 06:42 AM

I am soooo overprotective, I hope I can do it. I can see myself grabbing my baby and running out of the door the first time a bigger puppy jumps on her.
They would all say 'hey, where did the crazy lady go'.

dandymarriott · 08-30-2007, 09:13 AM

We are doing our first Puppy Class next Saturday. I am worried that Barkley will to be friendly with the big dogs. Sometimes I think he thinks he is a 50 lb. dog. When it come to being overprotective I am the same way!

sallen15 · 08-30-2007, 10:21 AM

Lucy is currently enrolled in a puppy headstart class, where we are doing clicker training etc. Our class is only about 7-8 dogs, the first week Lucy was the tiny dog, but then another yorkie and a chi enrolled. But there is also a fair share of large dogs, a Bernaise Mountain Dog, a Rotweiler, a Puggle, a German Shepard and one other dog I'm not sure which type she is. But Lucy is out playing with the big dogs and the little dogs, but mostly she visits the other people in the class. But she did fine with it, I'm so glad I took her because my Dad has two 3 year old Goldens and I want to be able to take her over to his house and play with his dogs and not be afraid of them.

Akina · 08-30-2007, 02:04 PM

I understand your fear. My Momiji is so tiny that she never see anyone smaller than her.
She was afraid at first (in the class, I mean), she hide between people's feet (because she knows it is safe!!) but she learned they are not going to hurt her. There was this one dog, mixed breed/medium size dog, she was soooo sweet. She get down so Momiji can kiss her or climb on to her!!!
She was so gentle with her but other larger dogs weren't so interested in playing with Momiji.
Now she is almost a year old and she loves other dogs.
I highly recommend you to try either socialization class or puppy happy hour (I don't know you can find happy hour in your area but SF there are few!!)
We as a dog owner have responsiblity to train our dog and I think it includes our dog's social skill.
Good luck with your baby!!

08-29-2007, 10:16 PM	#1
ILuvYorkieToes Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 71	Puppy Socialization Does anyone have experience with Yorkies and puppy socialization classes? I am thinking about enrolling in one but I'm afraid that the other dogs may be much larger than my baby. Any suggestions?

08-30-2007, 03:26 AM	#2
afrye06 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 209	roman used to be terrified of other dogs. hes almost 6 months now and 4.7 lbs (the smallest one in his class). were taking out last petsmart training class this weekend. since the class started ive seen a great improvement with him around other dogs. he will even play with the bigger, aggressive ones now. theres also a little italian greyhound in my class who was probably more shy then roman and shes also come out of her shell from taking these classes. so i would recommend the petsmart classes (if you have a good one by you, because ive heard of some bad trainers at some petsmarts) they help train your dog as well as socialize your baby. __________________ Amy- Roman's Mommmy I love Roman and Mallie http://petshotel.petsmart.com/ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face

08-30-2007, 04:06 AM	#3
Izzy Princess Therapy Dog Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,576 Blog Entries: 1	I had the same issue but I enrolled Izzy in clicker training for puppies (the class only took up to 16 week puppies) and she was 20 weeks. I explained to the trainers that she is so, so tiny and they agreed since they new the Yorkie breed. Well in our class - she was the tiny one for the entire class time (8 weeks) - we had a Golden Retriever, Jack Russell and other "big" puppies as compared to Izzy. It was funny to see at the end of 8 weeks how all these "puppies" got so big and little Izzy didn't budge an inch. This was the best decision - as it was the other pups who had to learn to socialize with Izzy - she was fearless of them and what "they" had to learn was not to paw her - they wanted to stomp on her and play. By the end of this class they were all letting her roll on them, jump, lick, kiss, all the while laying down. It was something to see and I can kick myself now for not taking a camera, but I will now when I go tonight to start Puppy II clicker training. Have fun - and don't worry - good luck and go for it - you won't be sorry. PS - I didn't go to PetsMart - I found an actual training class that is known for its clicker training. you can also check out: www.clickertraining.com and it has tons of info __________________ Cynd, Izzy (Yorkie) & Cosmo (Biewer)(Secwetary & Charter Membwer of the Dirty FurKids Cwub)-Jusz say NO ta bein' cwean!)proud member of the *CrAzYcLuB! ~The PINK club~SRC Last edited by Izzy Princess; 08-30-2007 at 04:07 AM.*

08-30-2007, 04:25 AM	#5
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,274	I'm taking Penny to class too. I need to socalize her with people as well as with dogs, so I hope it works. __________________ Susan, Piper & Sebastion

08-30-2007, 10:21 AM	#8
sallen15 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Posts: 410	Lucy is currently enrolled in a puppy headstart class, where we are doing clicker training etc. Our class is only about 7-8 dogs, the first week Lucy was the tiny dog, but then another yorkie and a chi enrolled. But there is also a fair share of large dogs, a Bernaise Mountain Dog, a Rotweiler, a Puggle, a German Shepard and one other dog I'm not sure which type she is. But Lucy is out playing with the big dogs and the little dogs, but mostly she visits the other people in the class. But she did fine with it, I'm so glad I took her because my Dad has two 3 year old Goldens and I want to be able to take her over to his house and play with his dogs and not be afraid of them. __________________ I MY LITTLE LUCY GOOSE! Dogster Profile: dogster.com/dogs/599542

08-30-2007, 06:42 AM	#6
ILuvYorkieToes Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 71	I am soooo overprotective, I hope I can do it. I can see myself grabbing my baby and running out of the door the first time a bigger puppy jumps on her. They would all say 'hey, where did the crazy lady go'.

08-30-2007, 09:13 AM	#7
dandymarriott Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Manhattan Posts: 53	We are doing our first Puppy Class next Saturday. I am worried that Barkley will to be friendly with the big dogs. Sometimes I think he thinks he is a 50 lb. dog. When it come to being overprotective I am the same way!

08-30-2007, 02:04 PM	#9
Akina YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Mateo Posts: 887	I understand your fear. My Momiji is so tiny that she never see anyone smaller than her. She was afraid at first (in the class, I mean), she hide between people's feet (because she knows it is safe!!) but she learned they are not going to hurt her. There was this one dog, mixed breed/medium size dog, she was soooo sweet. She get down so Momiji can kiss her or climb on to her!!! She was so gentle with her but other larger dogs weren't so interested in playing with Momiji. Now she is almost a year old and she loves other dogs. I highly recommend you to try either socialization class or puppy happy hour (I don't know you can find happy hour in your area but SF there are few!!) We as a dog owner have responsiblity to train our dog and I think it includes our dog's social skill. Good luck with your baby!!