[linz06]

I actually took Layla to puppy classes starting when she was 2 and a half years! She had learned sit and lay down before that, but after going to the class she is much more consistent. I agree that most of the class is teaching YOU how to handle your dog, what to do if this or that happens, and getting answers to any training questions you might have. I took Layla there for the socialization. She was scared of dogs before, she wouldn't play with other dogs at all, and by the last class she was soooo excited to be seeing all her puppy friends and running around with them. We also did people socialization with "pass the puppy" where we'd sit in a circle and pass our dogs around so other people could get them on their backs and touch their ears, teeth, paws, tails, and just get them used to being handled by people (which is great for groomer or vet visits!)
Some of the things she learned in class was coming when called (not just when she felt like it!), sit, lay down, stay, leave it, loose-leash walking, and we were shown how to teach "heel" although it was on our own time if we wanted to practice it. Classes here were about $110 I think for 8 1-hour sessions.