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Puppy Training Classes |
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Why
is puppy training & socialisation so important ?
At the age of 4 ½ months, puppies quickly move from cuddly teddy bears to confident and mischievous adolescents. For your own and your dogs benefit, it is important to adequately prepare for this transformation to make it as enjoyable (!) as possible.
Puppy training and socialisation is now considered the single most important step you can take in that preparation. These should be started from the age of 13 weeks, but no later than 20 weeks. You should only attend after your puppy has received all its vaccinations.
What happens at puppy classes?
The format of puppy training and socialisation classes will vary from school to school, but the primary objective of them all is to fully socialise your puppy and prepare it for all the many new experiences it will encounter through its life. It is at these sessions that your puppy will learn canine social etiquette and body language in a controlled and safe environment.
They will play with other puppies of their own age. They learn bite inhibition and build confidence, as well overcoming shyness and fearfulness. This is not to say they will not experience difficult encounters later in life, but a confident and fully socialised dog will be better equipped to deal with these encounters and less traumatise by them.
At puppy training, playing with other puppies can often be frenzied with lots of chase and play fighting. There will be plenty of opportunity receive appropriate feedback for biting too hard. In effect, puppies teach each other how to behave.
The other main objective of puppy training is to educate owners of basic training techniques and dog behaviour understanding. Teach them to better understand their dog and gain better control over them.
How to select a puppy training and socialisation class?
Unless a school has been recommended to you, it is a good idea to visit a class without your dog. Here are few hints and tips to be looking for from a good puppy school:
Puppies should all be in a the aged range of 13-20 weeks at the start of the course.
The school environment should be clean and hygienic, preferably indoors.
Only positive training techniques should be used. Avoid classes that advocate use of metal collars, choke chains or any means that requires punishment or domination - all now considered ineffective as well as unpleasant.
Puppies should have plenty of opportunity to play together off the lead.
Classes should not be a free for all. All puppies should be frequently asked to settle during sessions.
Look at the puppies, are they having a good time !
Ask if children are able to attend. They are often able to spend a lot more time with your puppy than you can, so it is a good idea for them to learn good training practices as well as you.
Does the training allow time after the class to ask questions or discuss any concerns you might be experiencing.
Good puppy schools also cover other important areas such as preparing your puppy for vet visits and conditioning them to strange sounds (fireworks, thunder storms etc).
© 2004 Canine ConceptsUnited Kingdom At the age of 4 ½ months, puppies quickly move from cuddly teddy bears to confident and mischievous adolescents. For your own and your dogs benefit, it is important to adequately prepare for this transformation to make it as enjoyable (!) as possible.
Puppy training and socialisation is now considered the single most important step you can take in that preparation. These should be started from the age of 13 weeks, but no later than 20 weeks. You should only attend after your puppy has received all its vaccinations.
What happens at puppy classes?
The format of puppy training and socialisation classes will vary from school to school, but the primary objective of them all is to fully socialise your puppy and prepare it for all the many new experiences it will encounter through its life. It is at these sessions that your puppy will learn canine social etiquette and body language in a controlled and safe environment.
They will play with other puppies of their own age. They learn bite inhibition and build confidence, as well overcoming shyness and fearfulness. This is not to say they will not experience difficult encounters later in life, but a confident and fully socialised dog will be better equipped to deal with these encounters and less traumatise by them.
At puppy training, playing with other puppies can often be frenzied with lots of chase and play fighting. There will be plenty of opportunity receive appropriate feedback for biting too hard. In effect, puppies teach each other how to behave.
The other main objective of puppy training is to educate owners of basic training techniques and dog behaviour understanding. Teach them to better understand their dog and gain better control over them.
How to select a puppy training and socialisation class?
Unless a school has been recommended to you, it is a good idea to visit a class without your dog. Here are few hints and tips to be looking for from a good puppy school:
Puppies should all be in a the aged range of 13-20 weeks at the start of the course.
The school environment should be clean and hygienic, preferably indoors.
Only positive training techniques should be used. Avoid classes that advocate use of metal collars, choke chains or any means that requires punishment or domination - all now considered ineffective as well as unpleasant.
Puppies should have plenty of opportunity to play together off the lead.
Classes should not be a free for all. All puppies should be frequently asked to settle during sessions.
Look at the puppies, are they having a good time !
Ask if children are able to attend. They are often able to spend a lot more time with your puppy than you can, so it is a good idea for them to learn good training practices as well as you.
Does the training allow time after the class to ask questions or discuss any concerns you might be experiencing.
Good puppy schools also cover other important areas such as preparing your puppy for vet visits and conditioning them to strange sounds (fireworks, thunder storms etc).
http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk
reprinted with kind permission from Canine Concepts
******************
Getting
your Dog Trained
Don’t send your GSD out for someone else to train. You need a lot of training WITH the dog in order to handle this breed responsibly. Whether or not you engage the services of a private trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you also need to work with your dog in a class. This breed needs a minimum of several months of weekly class experience working side-by-side with other handlers who have their dogs under control. This is essential for building the correct habits and belief system in the dog. It broadens your relationship with your dog from family members into working partners. A GSD must have this.
The minimal skills a GSD and handler need to reliably master include down-stay, loose-leash walking, come-when-called, retrieve, sit/down/stand changes of position if the dog is physically sound to perform them without pain, and focused attention. In addition, the dog needs to be taught not to jump up on a person unless directed to do so by the handler, and not to put teeth on humans.
The most important first step in dog training is attending puppy socialisation classes. These help you understand the basic training techniques and allows your dog to interact with other dogs as well as many of the experiences they will come across in later life. It is important to select the right dog training school as puppy classes will play a vital role in your pups ability to develop into a well-balanced, well behaved dog.
Dog trainers who are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) will have been assessed to ensure high standards are meet. Look on their website for details of trainers near you or phone them on 01285 810811.
Talk to your vet, the surgery may have its own socialisation classes or know of reputable local trainers.
Ask other dog walkers in your area who they would recommend.
Don’t send your GSD out for someone else to train. You need a lot of training WITH the dog in order to handle this breed responsibly. Whether or not you engage the services of a private trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you also need to work with your dog in a class. This breed needs a minimum of several months of weekly class experience working side-by-side with other handlers who have their dogs under control. This is essential for building the correct habits and belief system in the dog. It broadens your relationship with your dog from family members into working partners. A GSD must have this.
The minimal skills a GSD and handler need to reliably master include down-stay, loose-leash walking, come-when-called, retrieve, sit/down/stand changes of position if the dog is physically sound to perform them without pain, and focused attention. In addition, the dog needs to be taught not to jump up on a person unless directed to do so by the handler, and not to put teeth on humans.
The most important first step in dog training is attending puppy socialisation classes. These help you understand the basic training techniques and allows your dog to interact with other dogs as well as many of the experiences they will come across in later life. It is important to select the right dog training school as puppy classes will play a vital role in your pups ability to develop into a well-balanced, well behaved dog.
Dog trainers who are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) will have been assessed to ensure high standards are meet. Look on their website for details of trainers near you or phone them on 01285 810811.
Talk to your vet, the surgery may have its own socialisation classes or know of reputable local trainers.
Ask other dog walkers in your area who they would recommend.
This information is for your convenience only. We do not accept responsibility for or endorse any of the services listed below.
| Bushey Canine Training
School Falconer School Falconer Road Bushey http://www.busheyk9.com/ |
Monday & Tuesday evenings |
Wendy Bell 01923 236705 |
| Puppy School Bricket Wood www.puppyschool.co.uk |
6.00pm &
7.15pm
Fridays |
Carol Mcguigan 07876
680942 Email: c.mcguigan@virgin.net |
| Snoopy Dog Club Charles Morris Hall Tyttenhanger Green St Albans |
6.00pm Mondays |
Mary 01582 460776 |
| Gade Dog Training Club St Pauls Church Hall Solway Highfield Hemel Hempstead |
7.00pm Thursdays |
Charmaine Fuller 01442
217942 Lyn Wiggins 01442 874978 |
| Chess Vale Dog Training Club Ley Hill Memorial Hall Botely Road Ley Hill Bovingdon |
6.15pm Thursdays |
Carol Spencer 01923
226654 |
| Play 'N' Learn The Scout Hut Pancake Lane Leverstock Green |
7.00pm Wednesdays Clicker Class |
Julia 01923 263427 |
| Elstree & Borehamwood
Dog
Training Aberford Hall Aberford Road Borehamwood |
7.00pm Tuesdays Clicker Class after 7pm |
Hazel Needham 07976
616142 |
| Canine College All Saints Church Hall Croxley Green |
7.45pm Tuesdays |
Carol 01923 492987 |
| British Association of German Shepherd Dogs Edmonton London http://edmontonbagsd.moonfruit.com |
Jean
Houghton 0208 527 2065 |
