Puppy Kindergarten!
 

Keeley and I have decided that it is time to go to puppy Kindergarten. He is such a sweetie, but I have no idea how to even have a dog (he is my first). I was at Petco and talked to the lady that teaches the class. She was so awesome and seemed really knowedgeable. And then when we were at the Vet, she suggest we start him in a class, because she said he was a "leader" which is a great thing if we can learn how to have a leader type dog.

So classes start Thusday night. I missed the first one, but she said it was just a lot of her talking about what to expect and I could bring Keeley into meet her before the next class and she'd go over what we missed.

For those of you that have gone to these types of classes what can I expect? Did your puppy learn a lot?

And what do you think about going to the classes in the chain pet stores? And are there other classes I can take him to after this one is over? I think I'll like having something like this we can do together. Because if not, maybe I should try and find one that is longer then 5 weeks. (But I REALLY REALLY like the teacher, so I really want to go to hers).

How great that you are taking the time to learn all you can - You will love the classes as I truly believe they are more for the owners then the pet, LOL

I have heard nice things about pet store training sessions.

Good luck :D

You can only go so far in obedience through one of these chain petstore. I you want to go further in your obedience training you probably need to locate a obedience club or training center.

Stomper went to PetsMart
 

Stomper went to puppy training at PetsMart. He is now in puppy graduate training! So far, he has learned sit, stay, don't touch, crawl, wait, shake, lay down... more to come. I've found the classes to be great.

I have also heard good things about classes at chain stores such as that. I think its great that you feel comfortable with the trainer. My friend took puppy and advanced classes at Petsmart I believe, she really enjoyed it and her dog learned a lot. If you are looking for something you and your dog can do together I've heard Yorkieagility talk a lot about agility you may look into something like that for the future. I haven't done anything like that but from what I've seen on tv and such the dogs seems to be having a lot of fun and it seems like a great thing to do for/with the dogs. I'm sure she'd be happy to tell you more about it if you are interested.

I am so excited we start tonight! :yelrotflm

I totally want to further beyond the puppy classes, so when we get to that point I'll be checking into other training programs.

We went to puppy class at Petsmart but only 1 day as I didn't like how they put all size dogs together and with such a small section. They also seemed to push their products to the point part of one class was going around the store.

I pulled her and got my money back and signed her up at the local K9 Training Center.

The 1st week she went, she wouldn't do anything except sniff, and sniff and sniff. Part of the problem was I fed her before she went. So last week I didn't feed her and went early for her to sniff and she did great

She did all the obstacle stations (but needed help thru the tire) and played with the other dogs. She does sit, down, come and drop it. Most I did teach on my own but I really wanted her to get to interact with other dogs as we only have 2 cats!!!

I think all dogs should at least try some kind of puppy school, it can't hurt!

I agree with all of you, Pebbles and my son and I are going to Petco training classes. It is going very well. She can now do a lot of things especially go down my stairs. Good luck! Besides they are fun for both dog and you! They get to socialize.

We had a lot of fun on Thursday, he met quite a few new friends.

I looked at both Petco and Petsmart and chose Petco 110%!!! At petsmart when I was asking about the classes they were kind of rude and didn't answer alot of my questions. I also don't like how the classes were in the middle of the store with a little rope around us. (At least the Petsmart here was like that.) I knew there would be lots of people walking by with their pets and lots of distractions. And honestly I don't trust some of those big dogs being a little nylon rope away from my 11 week old Yorkie!

At Petco the trainer talked to me for about a half hour to an hour on the phone answering all my questions. Then had me and Keeley come in the day before to meet her. Petco also has the classes in a big room in the back of the store, so we have privacy and not all this traffic going through. There are all sizes of dogs, but there is alot of room and they are all on leashes. We had the choice of how close we got to each other.

And they didn't push any kind of product on us. It was all about the training. Which I loved, I'd hate if the class was about what I should buy, not about what I should do.

Keeley had quite the time meeting all the other puppies and did great with most of the lessons. (We still really need to get "Leave It" down though. ;) I swear he can find things to chew on no matter how well I keep everything out of his reach! :p )

Congrats on your first class!! :) Glad it went well!

Thanks I am already looking forward to next thusday!