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Opinions on dog schools

1K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  Muddypaws 
#1 ·
I'm trying to plan ahead so I started researching puppy schools for our girl. I've been looking at these two schools. Just wanted to see if anyone had opinions on them. #2 has a class that starts July 14th.. our pup would be 14 weeks old by then. #1 doesn't have an age limit but just needs to be vaccinated (except rabies). I need to call and find out exactly what that means. Is 14 weeks ok if we begin socializing with other family dogs before the class? Also, what are some good questions and things to look for before we sign up for a class? If anyone has other recommendations to look at, please let me know. Thanks!

#1 http://caninecollegemi.com

#2 http://www.wolverinedtc.com/
 
#2 ·
Some info on puppy socialization:
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/puppy socialization.pdf

I would recommend contacting this facility and asking about purchasing a copy of their puppy book. It's a fabulous book!
http://www.veterinarybehavior.com

I would also recommend you take a look at this document on how to find a trainer. The paper was written by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, the vets who specialize in behavior.
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonl...sition_Statements/how to choose a trainer.pdf

I looked at both schools and enjoyed the well done websites. There wasn't a lot of actual information easily accessible about how they teach and what they teach. I did note the puppy class at the second one was for puppies up to 6 months... Most 'puppy' classes should be for puppies up to 16 or 18 weeks, the critical learning period for puppies. Not that older puppies don't benefit from training... but there are some differences.

Thanks for researching now!
 
#3 ·
Wolverine Dog Training is a dog training club, which involves a group of volunteers who typically show their dogs in various venues (obedience, agility, etc.). Canine College is a private company and it appears that their trainers are a recent addition to their facility. I am a little concerned that neither group limit the classes to young puppies (under 4 months). I am an assistant instructor at the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club's puppy classes and they are for puppies who start the class at 8 to 12 weeks old.

I would call and find out a bit about the training philosophy that each center uses. Also what the break-down is between socialization and training. For a really young pup, you want to have more socialization than training. Also ask about how they let the puppies socialize. When we teach the class, we always have two play groups, one for smaller or softer puppies and one for the more rambunctious ones. Having bad early socialization experiences is even worse for a pup than having no early socialization experiences.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the info! I have been doing a lot of reading on early socialization already. I'm having a hard time finding a puppy kindergarten class for younger than those schools do.. except for Petsmart which has 10-18 weeks puppy class. I'm iffy about going there.
 
#6 ·
While the critical socialization period is really winding down by 14 weeks, there's still a long period after there where socialization can be accomplished really effectively. It takes longer to socialize a pup after the critical period, but if you're patient, you can still get a ton of benefit.

Personally, I'd probably do the PetSmart class just so he can hang out around other dogs, and then I'd move to a positive training center to work with some expert trainers as the pup was a little older. Between the two, you could lay a foundation of lifetime skills and socialization.
 
#7 ·
I was thinking that as well. I would not stick with Petsmart for her entire training but it might be ok for the puppy class. I still have to call around and do more searching. I wish there was a better database for training schools. I also plan on getting her socializing with family dogs quite a bit in her first few weeks home. I know that the breeder has them socializing with her dogs of all ages right now too.
 
#8 ·
I didn't take a look at the sites you posted but here is what we did.

We started taking Riley for short walks to get her used to the leash. Then, at about 10 weeks or so we would walk to the elementary school around the block. What kid doesn't want to pet a puppy? That was the best socialization we could have hoped for. I read that your pup should meet 100 people by the end of their first month (by 12 weeks of age). While this may be unrealistic for some we well surpassed that by the first month. That pretty much took care of the human socialization.

We learned the basics in puppy class (come, sit, stay, heal and how to train your dog in a positive way). It is a big time for canine socialization and that's the main reason we were there. During the last 10 minutes of class the puppies were allowed to play. The classes we went to were done by a training club. They were very professional and much cheaper than Petsmart. They went up to 20 weeks of age. We did 2 five week sessions.

I would look for something like this. It was such a positive experience for us that Riley completed basic obedience and obtained her CGC with the training club. We are now waiting for the intermediate classes to start.
 
#9 ·
Non-dog socializing is something you can definitely accomplish without a class. Hit the local hardware chain (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.). They'll usually allow a puppy in, and you can have him meet lots of friendly strangers in a low-key way.

The local school is a great idea too.

You can't easily socialize him with strange dogs, though. The dog park is not a place for a puppy, and if you take him to the local pet store, you won't be able to control whether or not the dogs he meets are properly vaccinated and not carrying something contagious. That's the huge benefit to a puppy class.
 
#10 ·
Is there a number for dogs to aim for like there is for humans (i.e. 100 people in 100 days)?

The school idea is great! We are very close to an elementary and high school so that will be easy for getting her meeting younger kids and teens. We also have 2 parks right in our sub that we can take her to.
 
#11 ·
Is there a number for dogs to aim for like there is for humans (i.e. 100 people in 100 days)?
Not sure about that. But what we did (not all people on this forum think this is OK but we think it's fine) is that on our walks, when we saw a dog, we would ask if it is OK to approach. Then we would, cautiously. Most of the time it turned out fine. They would sniff and then play. A couple of times you could tell it wasn't going to work out so we both just went on our way. Most people are pretty good about it and know how their dogs will react to puppies.

I did not expose Riley to other dogs until her shots were complete (I believe it's OK to start exposing them after the 2 set of shots but I could be wrong about that, I really can't remember).
 
#12 ·
With dog-dog intereactions, [ I strongly feel] it is best for puppies to have interactions with appropriate adult dogs. This means the adult dogs are social with people and dogs, have a large history of playing appropriately with other dogs, have typical body language, will not bully the puppy, are the right size/play style, and are healthy.

We really can't wait for all vaccinations are complete to start socialization. the AVSAB number is 10 days after the first set. But at the same time, we want to be careful.

Remember, the interactions---always--- have to be positive. Negative and neutral are both not conductive to good socialization.

I would be hesitant about greeting with on leash dogs, they are more likely to be reactive when on leash and many dog owners will say "He's friendly" when he is not. Many people can use this setting well, it's not something I'm comfortable with doing or recommending at this point in time.
 
#13 ·
Northfield Dog Training

It would be a drive for you, but I really loved Northfield Dog Training in Ann Arbor. It was a bit of a drive for us, but the only thing near us was Petco and PetSmart and we decided it was worth the drive since it was just 6 times) We took Maya there when she was 10 weeks. Their puppy kindergarten class is limited to pups 10 weeks through 5 months, and they do separate out the rougher, bigger pups from the smaller, more timid pups for socialization. I found the class to be the perfect mix of play time and training time. Marcia, who teaches the puppy K class, has a lot experience competing in AKC obedience and teaching classes. She was a wonderful resource, and encourages people to come back to her with questions at any point in a dog's life after taking a class with her, even if it's years later! She seems to be up on current research. I was looking for positive-only and she is not completely committed to positive-only techniques (she recommended a prong collar for those who couldn't control their dogs and sometimes recommended things like noisy shaker cans for people's specific issues with their dogs), but she only used positive techniques in the class and was very respectful of those who only wanted to use positive strategies. Marcia really seemed to be an expert at interpreting dog body language, and was a fabulous resource for us as we went through the challenges of puppy raising. She has a lot of ideas and strategies and really seemed to "get" puppies. I would definitely recommend her. Here is the website.

http://www.northfielddogtraining.com/
 
#18 ·
It would be a drive for you, but I really loved Northfield Dog Training in Ann Arbor.
That's Adele Yunk's place isn't it? I love love love Adele. One of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And she co-authored one of the most popular competition obedience books out there.
 
#17 ·
What do you all recommend that we do as far as a class if our puppy is over 4 months old and knows basic commands (sit, down, stay)?? Enzo has never been in a class and I'd like to take one with him, but most say that those are the commands they teach and he already knows those.
 
#20 ·
FWIW, our school district only allows service dogs on school property. Dog owners who don't train their dogs or clean up after them have ruined it for all of us.

Another idea would be to contact the school and get the name of the Boy Scout or Girl Scout Leader - see about setting up a meet and greet with them. You could teach them about caring for puppies and they could help socialize your pup. Another advantage is that it wouldn't overwhelm the puppy.
 
#23 ·
Kirby is going to two different trainers for Rally and starting a third in the fall for attention. I wish I had Darby in a few different schools from an early age. You get different training ideas and your dog will socialize with different dogs and people. Going to new venues also helps to teach your dog that he has to behave everywhere.

Part of Darby's trouble was he associated our trainer/facility with excitment, I think if he had been to a few different places he would react a little differently.
 
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