[Ambesi]

Last night we went to our first puppy kindergarten class. Winchester was out of control! I've never seen him like that before. I swear it was like some other puppy inhabited his body. The whole class we sat in chairs while the instructor talked and then went to everyone and their dogs writing down their information. Winchester got so bored and started playing tug-of-war with his leash and nipping my hands. :doh: He even barked. He was THAT dog! You know the one... that the owners don't seem to have any control over and doesn't listen. The power of distractions! Yikes!!!

I know it was a new place and he was excited to see the other dogs, but most of the other dogs were well-behaved. He is one of the youngest in the class and my son didn't help by riling him up before class. I also didn't take treats with me. I will next week.

I'm sure it will get better. I was just so surprised at his behavior. I've never seen him like that before. Obviously lots to work on!

 

[LuckyPup]

I am so scared my 10 month old will be THAT dog. He is going tonight for his first ever class!

Last night he was an absolute terror with his mouthing play. So I sure hope he does NOT do that today!

 

[timberwolf]

I think I took 2 different pups to Timber's puppy kindergarten class, at least 3 different pups to his Manners class and the pup that I took to his first Foundations to Agility class definitely does not live with me

His Foundations class is in a huge driving shed with sand on the floor.
We weren't there 7 minutes when Timber, with no warning whatsoever, has a poop in the middle of the floor. Needless to say, his Trainer was not impressed.
Then.......not five minutes later, I hear his Trainer say "Is he doing what I think he's doing?" and when I looked down, Timber was having a pee. With no pun intended, his Trainer was p***ed!!!
It really wasn't one of our finer moments!!!

 

[Faith's mommy]

don't worry the "that dog" person usually changes each week.

 

[BJSalz]

Treats were definitely needed for us with our pup. He was good probably because of the treats! The lady next to us didn't have treats either but I gave her a handful and she was surely happy!

 

[janine]

That was Chester....he was the class clown. I started having to wear him out about an hour before classes with a long walk and a game of fetch, then he was to tired to be so bad. I also took him to the training build about half hour before class so he could see and hear the other classes going on. He did get better in time...for the most part.

 

[mdoats]

Our first night of puppy kindergarten was pretty awful too. The trainer did a lot of talking and Rookie just couldn't sit still for that long. The good news is that the second class was MUCH better.

 

[moverking]

Don't despair! Our first P-K classes were held sans pups. A wise move in my estimation. The second class was meet and greet, and puppy pass around, short playtime, then gentling techniques, then taking the pups all around the room, letting them see equipment, mirrors, bathrooms, doors, other pups, all the helpers and trainer...by class 3, we had a less than crazy group of pups that were workable.
And yes, both Sadie and Loo were nutballs the first night. Imagine their perception! Much better behavior followed, have faith.

 

[goldengirl09]

Treats will make a big difference. Harvey was pretty good in class but he would bark b/c he wanted to play with the other dogs. I would tell him to watch me of sit and then reward him with a treat. Also, it helps to bring a kong with frozen peanut butter or a bully stick to give him something to do during the lecture part of the class. Just make sure you pick it up off the floor once the dogs are moving around to avoid any aggression over it.

I do think THAT dog chages every week so I wouldn't worry about it at all I'm sure it will be better next class. Good luck!

 

[Noey]

we were the "golden" in teh class and the youngest, the instrutor told the entire class "this little guy is a little young so his behavior is to be expected" He had a disclaimer on him before we started.

Noah would try and walk up to other owners for treats. He was the first sitting once treats became the option.

It works out after a few classes.

 

[Ambesi]

Thanks for posting all your experiences! It gives me a lot of hope and makes me feel less like THAT owner!

 

[shortcake23]

LOL! Mia was one of THOSE dogs too when we did puppy class!

After a few classes she got used to it and calmed down quite a bit. She stopped the barking for nothing and pulling on the leash to go play with the dog next to her.

She was still excited when we got there, but she'd calm down quickly.

When we started Intermediate class, she was NOT one of THOSE dogs and we were so proud of her!

 

[Augustus McCrae's Mom]

When Gus was in puppy kindergarten, he had an incident. The teacher usually used him as an example, but not in this one class (which I did not attend--so this is all as told to me by my husband). Gus had swam some in his kiddie pool and played with the hose before class, so he had a lot of water in him. My husband said he let him pee before class. And then Gus walked right into the middle of the classroom and peed (as was told to me) more pee than my husband had ever seen Sometimes they all have their not so shining moments!

 

[slip_kid]

ha!
we had all teh same stuff. he's out of control the first night, after that he's calmer.
first night of puppy k was unreal. he wouldn't even sit he was so distracted.
but before the 6 weeks were over he was way ahead of the other dogs, rolling over and everything.
pestered every owner for cookies.
barked at EVERYTHING.
and he would walk away from us and the class to go drink water. lots and lots and lots of water...
one time he was given so many treats he puked in the middle of the floor.
I can't recall if he's messed in there yet, if not there's always tonight in class 3 of basic obedience.
there was a game last week to see how many times you can get your dog to sit and stand in 20 seconds.
most dogs averaged 3-6 sits. comet scored 16. they all stared at us in amazement, but its easy when you have the most food motivated dog EVAR.

 

[shortcake23]

OMG slip_kid, your post just reminded me of our second puppy class with Mia. We were all sitting in a circle listening to the instructor, and Mia starts vomiting... what do we see in her vomit? One of the cat's green fuzzy balls! She had eaten it without us knowing! It was quite embarrassing to have this happen in class! LOL!