How old should a Yorkie be to beginning puppy training classes?
 

I plan on taking Lexi to puppy training classes & the paperwork I picked up says you can start at 10 weeks. Lexi will be 12 weeks by the time classes start. Is she still too young/small to go to a puppy class???

Hello from the UK! :)

Not sure how it works in the US, but over here puppies aren't even allowed out of the house until 2 weeks after their final vaccination! Sally + Harry x

Hello. :) I was thinking about the health safety issues too. I will not jeopardize her health for sure. Thank you so much for your input.

some classes here start at 10weeks, but i chose a class that only allows them after 13 weeks (with a week for the vaccine to take hold) but held off going until she was 14/15 weeks just to be safe!
also remember, if your class is anything like the one i use, an all breed class, dont let them bully you into trainning methods you disagree with (like jerking by the collar and lead for a correction) while i see how that would get the attention of a rottie, it would hurt our kids! so harness her up, and don't let them tell you different unless you agree and feel it will be safe! and put something bright on your baby so the big clowns can see her- poppet got her tail stepped on her 1st week and wasn't amused bless her!! :)

Our poor little babies!!! :)

Again, I don't know if this happens in the US, but our vet holds 'puppy socialising classes' for all the littlies that haven't completed their full course of jabs yet - it's like 'soft-play' at nursery. It's not teaching them obedience as such, but at least they get to meet others (outside of your own, of course!). Sally + Harry x

yeea, there is a few of those close by... but there are also a scary amount of puppy farms dotted all over the country, (and too many close to me:( ) and they send their pups home at 7 weeks with no shots, and often riddled with infections of some sort or another; so no chance in hell would i let any of my babies go to one of those- simply because i don't know where the pother pups came from... (and there is a farm broker selling from her house 10mins from me). it is an absolutely adorable idea though! :D
just bees carefuls!!

Your right on the age you wait untill 2 weeks after all vaccinations are done. This is the same for taking your dog out of your yard or anywhere where they could have contact with other dogs

Thank you for the great suggestions everyone. I sure appreciate it. A young lady that gave me some info on classes said that they are required to wear a collar & I told her flat out if Lexi couldn't wear a harness I would not bring her to class, that she should not be in a collar for leash training! I did not talk to an instructor so I took what she said with a grain of salt & would definitely confirm this with an instructor prior to signing up for any classes.

The training place I went to required a collar for puppies, and choke chain for adult dogs. I used a harness for both classes. The puppy trainer had no problem with it, the adult dog trainer was extremely annoyed and nearly kicked me out of the class. Because of that, I will never go back to that training center.

I looked around some more and found a different training place that was more focused on positive reinforcement instead of harsh punishment. Jax is pretty much done training, but if I get another puppy, I will go to the positive reinforcement place.

Ideally training should start at the breeders. When you bring your puppy home, you should begin training from day one. But, NO public places until all shots are given plus two weeks, except in a safe way.
When I had litters I had 4 puppy classes for those puppies. It was a wonderful time for the new owners to ask questions, share ideas and learn the basics. The critical time to socialize is during the danger period. So what could we do and still be safe ?
I took puppies every where but, never let their feet touch the ground. I sat outside Mc Donalds, Wal-mart. The three schools K-5, Middle, and High. I went to Lowes, the carwash, when churches were getting out, the post office etc. I let my pup experience all kinds of people, sights, sounds, smells and noises secure in the safty of my arms. I even took a potty pad to put down if they needed a potty break. Maybe I am a big worrier, but back in the 1980s I lost two very young puppies to Parvo which I am convinced ,they got from people coming to look at them. I later found out they had been to breeder before my house and the dog park ! The third puppy survived after intensive Vet care. Now I am a bit of a germaphobe.
Hope this helps.

Teresa, thank you for the great advice! I have taken Lexie with me everywhere I can so far but in her doggie bag or in my arms-never letting her on the ground.

Our vet said we could go ahead and take Katie Scarlett to puppy class and she is 15 weeks, but I think I am going to wait like many others have said. I will go 2 weeks after those last shots. I just don't want to risk it. I have started training her some in the house though, well as much as I can. She's quite feisty, but when she does settle down, we are doing better. She did wonderful today!

I feel just like you. We are working on some basic things too. She is doing quite well for a young puppy on a leash I think. I am glad Katie Scarlett is doing so well too. They are so rambunctious. :D

Start with Puppy Kindergarten about 14-16 weeks old and after all shots. After Puppy Class, start right off with obedience, all the way thru off leash. Training is a lifelong process. Best of luck.