Training Classes?
 

Hey Everyone! I need some information. I'm interested in getting Bailey into some sort of puppy training class but I have no idea where to find such info. Those of you that have taken obedience/puppy classes, where did you find them? I've been searching the newspaper classifieds daily, but haven't found anything yet. Bailey's first vet visit with me is Thurs and I was thinking about asking my vet if he knows, but I'm wondering if anyone has any good sources?

And what exactly happens at puppy/obedience classes? Thanks :D

I found mine through the yellow pages under dogs, training (I think) :)

Stores such as petco and petsmart offer them. We took classes at petsmart (cant stand the local petco) and Bella learned to sit, lay down, she will stay a little, they teach you how to walk your dog on the leash so they dont pull - not a lesson we learned - we did miss a few because Bella went into heat and since there are many dogs in the same class we couldnt take her for a while. The instructor was excellent and it got Bella acustomed to other dogs (she really believes she is a person :rolleyes:

Previous posts that might help
 

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1656

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1616

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1069

We did the petsmart training too. Actually Esme's graduation is on Sunday. :D We are so proud.

Esme learned sit, down, leave it, come, stay (almost got it), roll over (working on it) give me five (working on it) settle, wait (patience is not one of her best qualities), walking on a leash without pulling (not a clue but it's okay, she only weighs 3.5lbs and I am stronger) and saying hello to people without putting her front paws on you (also doesn't get, but it's okay).

The puppy classes were fun because she got to get out and interact with other people and dogs. And of course, since yorkies are soooo adorable, you will have a million people telling you how cute your dooggie is!

Have fun!
Mari

Puppy training
 

At what age is it good to start training your puppy? I assume it would have to be at least after all their shots are done. At 16 weeks or so?? I am going to Pet smart for my dog training class. My sister took her dog there and he learned so much!!! If you get a chance observe a class. They are fun to watch and interesting.

Leigh

You can start training your puppy at home anytime, but for formal classes, yes, when they are up-to-date on all shots is the perfect time to start. Tia starts in April, because that is when the next class begins :)

training and shots.
 

Bella is three months and the next puppy preschool class starts Mon. the 28th of March. She has had two sets of shots. This is all the instructor requires. She says it is important tp socialize them between ten and fifteen weeks. Bella will have her next set of shots April 7th. The vet said to avoid having her around dogs or people until after the third set. The instructor says it will be too late if we wait. Should I take her to class or find a different school?

Trainers and vets have always disagreed on. It even says it In The Complete Idiots Guide to Yorkshire Terriers. The trainer will say it's more important to socialize your dog and the vet will say the shots are more important. Sheila has been in daycare since she was 8 weeks old and the vet said it was ok. All the dogs have to have their shots and the puppies have to have up to date shots for their age. From what I've seen puppy classes follow the same guidlines.

Awesome!
 

Thanks for the info guys. We don't have a petsmart here and the petco we do have doesn't offer training classes. I got in touch with a few dog training people that I found in the phone book, and the 4 that I've talked to, 3 of them don't offer puppy classes (only obedience classes, but you can't enroll your dog until it's 6 months old) and the other person I got in touch with does private - in your home - training, but it's $60 per session. And she said it takes about 5-6 sessions for the dog to fully get everything. I can't justify spending $300 or more on dog training at this point :(

Does anyone have any socialization techniques? Other than just taking the dog everywhere you go? (We have a pretty strict "No pets in stores" policy here in my city and the only places you really CAN bring your dogs in with you are the pet stores...)

PetsMart has a great puppy training class!
 

At PetsMart, you can enroll your yorkie in "Puppy Training". They just need to have their first 2 sets of shots and the kennel cough shot (sorry - I don't remember the name of it). This is usually around 12-14 weeks of age.

The cost is $99 for 8/10 sessions. I have found it very helpful...Stomper now knows, sit, lay down, come, don't touch, stay and "do your business". They also teach the dogs how to interact with people/dogs and how to walk by your side. We are in the 4th session and I really feel it is worth the $99!

I will say, that all the other dog owners in the class "baby" Stomper since all the other puppies are 5 times his size. I really don't like that since I don't want him to get "special treatment" and think he can get away with murder! :D

Good luck!

Training Classes?
 

Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie, Sophie's Auntie, and I'm a "refugee" from another yorkie chat site which will remain nameless. Sophie is my sister's 14-month old pup, and we took Sophie to a puppy obedience class last summer when she was about 6 months old. The classes were held at a doggy daycare center in our neighborhood, but we didn't care for it. Sophie was the smallest pup in the class, and all the other pups were quite aggressive and some would pounce on her. The instructor would tell us that we shouldn't protect her, that she had to be socialized around other dogs, but we weren't comfortable with her philosophy and we were concerned about Sophie's getting hurt. We were aware of obedience classes at PetSmart and PetCo stores, but we ultimately hired a private trainer to come to our house once a week, and she was very helpful and Sophie adored her. I must say, however, that training is a process, especially if your yorkie is an "independent thinker," so we work with Sophie every day. Sometimes the standard command words don't work with her, so we substitute some other word that we find more effective. We're fortunate that we never had any problems with housetraining...she was already paper trained when we got her at 12 weeks of age. We still have some work to do with the leave it-drop it-come commands. ...because if Sophie doesn't feel like obeying, she won't! And, she doesn't work for free!! That's been our experience, so we remain patient, keep a sense of humor, and keep those treats coming!! Nice to meet all of you!

I found my class by using this site:
http://clickerteachers.net/

One of our other dogs went to an obedience school through the park and rec.
There were tons of dogs in there so it was really nice for distraction purposes. It also gave Auburn a chance to play with dogs that didn't live in the same yard as her. I would definately try to do a class with at least a couple of other dogs just so your pup learns to do the commands even when he/she wants to smell another dog's rear. It just offers more distractions, you can practice at home by yourself once they show you how to.

Free Training Lessons!
 

I've heard Petco and Petsmart have classes, I think the cost depends on the city/location? My brother has a daschound (weiner dog) he lives in the Sacramento, CA area and they were charging $90.00 for the Puppy Class. I took the same class for free at the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco!
You might want to try looking around Recreation Centers, the YMCA or even after schol programs? I've taken both and it's the same thing, just because they are not charging or charging less doesn't mean it's a lower quality class.
Remember though in reality every moment is actual training for them. The classes don't mean a thing unless you are consistant and disciplined, you still have to practice and enforce it, follow-up is the key. :animal-sm