Obedience Classes

[Kayla Jean Ashley]

Anyone have any suggestions for what age, what level of vaccination, classes that should be attended, or just general opinions on the topic? I'm not to sure as I've never enrolled a dog into classes before. I'm quite excited to get Bella, my goldendoodle, into classes as soon as possible. I'm wondering where to start and what I should look for in a school, a trainer, and for class instruction/topics. She already knows her name, sit, and down; which I am really pleased with. In less then a week, she's truly the most intelligent dog I've ever known, never mind owned.
Still instruction from classes would help me help her. I don't know it all and the classes would teach me how best to teach her. I'm sure we could teach her through trial and error but what's the bother of confusing her and ourselves if we can turn to a professional. You know?
P.S. We're starting to work on paw, leave it, and trade. Paw confuses the heck out her and is constantly sniffing my hand for a treat. I'm considering switching hands that receives the paw, leaving my right for the usual treat. :]. We'll get there soon.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Some people say you can do puppy classes before they are fully vaccinated (given proper vaccination records for their ages), but I personally waited until Peri's 16 weeks shot (last parvo shot, which is really the most important). I did exactly what you did until that point - started training on my own. I signed her up to start obedience one week following those last puppy shots. We use a trainer who is certified to administer the Canine Good Citizen test (CGC) and has a background in animal behavior. She also is certified with APDT. I recommend you choose one that uses positive reinforcement and clicker training. You should be able to sit in on a class or ask detailed questions on their training philosphy. Start with a puppy class, even if you think she knows sit, down, etc...she will forget it all when she is distracted!

[Adina P]

To me obedience training is THE most important time investment with your dog. While some people can wing it, to really accomplish a great deal it helps to have someone knowledgeable leading (i.e. trainer in class setting) you. There are so many mistakes newbies can make that it's wonderful to have those professional eyes watching and helping and guiding you.
I'm not talking about mistakes that will damage your dog, but just little things here and there that will keep your dog from being truly reliable. Doodles are smart dogs so they'll pick up on things quickly, but without good training they won't necessarily be obedient dogs =)

I would plan to start with puppy classes (a lot of puppy classes allow pups to join even before they've finished their shots) and continue all the way through the highest level your town offers.

As to what "style" or method you should choose...it's totally a personal thing. Positive training (where few to no corrections are given and only good behaviors/actions are praised/rewarded) is very popular now and most of what you'll read on the internet leads one in that direction. Clicker training is a very specific form of positive training (and one I'd choose if I were to do the all reward route) and has a little more history and expertise behind it. While for young pups I think all positive is the way to go (short attention span, not yet mature, just learning), I wouldn't rule out other methods that use corrections later...DEPENDING on your preferences and your pup's needs. I find that my dogs, while very food motivated, do need a clear 'black' vs. 'white' when it comes to consequences for their choices. It's a hotly debated issue, but really what ultimately matters for a well behaved pet dog is YOUR investment in regular practice.

Good luck! Training is fabulous for forming a strong bond and getting a well behaved furry friend.

[Leslie and Halas]

I would start as soon as you can, after all of the vaccinations are done. We started right at 4 months old. But as you've already found out, they can learn a lot even before that age. They are like little sponges, so take advantage of that. Our first class was a puppy class. It was pretty laid-back, but Halas and I both learned a lot. As far as what you should look for, maybe ask what their teaching style is, and then decide if you like what you hear and if you'd be comfortable training your dog with those methods.

[Adina P]

oooh another tip I forgot about. If you don't start right away...ask to sit in on a class (preferably a graduation class too!) to see what the style is like and how effective the method is and if you feel comfortable doing things the trainer's way (does it make sense? Is it fair? Do dogs learn?)

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Most trainers would prefer if you don't start your puppy in classes till they are at least 16 weeks and have had their 3 sets of vaccinations. They should have puppy shots at 8wks. 12wks, and 16wks. Once they hit 16 weeks you could enroll Bella in Puppy Kindergarden. That is always the best class to start a puppy in and great for socialization. Slow down some on your training, you are teaching her a lot of things at one time for a puppy and could really overload her. As you said " what's the bother of confusing her and ourselves if we can turn to a professional. You know?"
After she completes about 8 weeks of puppy classes than they usually advance to Beginner Obedience for 8wks, than a regular Obedience class (working towards your CGC or Therapy Dog Test's) or RallyO or Agility classes. Training your dog shoudl be fun for all and one of the most important things you can do for your dogs life...Best of luck to you both in whatever path your choose for Bella.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I will just chime in here. First of all I think you should continue your current training. Your puppy is a little sponge right now. Just don't train anything that would hurt her still growing body - like beg or sit pretty, or "walks" longer than 15 minutes. Right now what you are teaching her is all fun for her and you. Keep it up. Get a book like Dog Training for Dummies to give you some ideas.

Second please wait until 16 weeks and all shots to leave your own home and yard. Keep Bella healthy.

Third check out the class/ trainer without Bella. Good trainers will be glad to talk to you about how they teach dogs and their owners. Find one who "clicks" with you. That is really important.

Lastly, I think some dogs will do extremely well with only positive reenforcement. But... most dogs and most owners are going to need the extra help of negative reinforcement, also known as correction. I have trained all my dogs this way. If done properly it is not mean, harsh, angry, etc. It is just a training aid. That is just me, though Whatever you do it should be fun as well as consistent and everyday for both you and your dog. Enjoy

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Noah would take a nap in the middle of class? Love it! Last night at Basic Obedience Peri barked for an hour straight at the other dogs. At least we got some Bark vs. Quiet command tips....LOL

[Richard Crowe]

Remember, despite being smart dogs, Doodle puppies are just puppies. Puppies just generally have short attention spans so any training should be short in duration.

We stated Holly in basic obedience at 16 weeks after she had her series of shots. Her attention span was short but, I think that she benefited from that basic puppy training.

I would want to select a training program which doesn't have a bunch of rowdy and rough dogs. It's no fun to have your Doodle puppy in class with a volatile Rottweiler who needs the training because he is so rowdy and rambunctious.

There are a LOT of necessary behaviors that puppies should learn and can learn at home. We got Holly at seven weeks old and she learned how to sit for her meal and her treats the first day we had her. We knew that she was going to be a fairly large dog and we wanted to discourage her from jumping on us when she was excited for her treats or her meals.

Two other really necessary behaviors which should be taught immediately are "No Bite!" and to discourage resource hoarding.

Puppies will naturally bite as part of their establishment of dominance within the litter. You certainly don't want your Doodle to learn that he is the Alpha Male in your family. A stern "No Bite!" command with perhaps a light tap on the nose with your finger should suffice for all but the most Alpha dogs.

I have always handled my dogs food as puppies while they are eating. Touching the food and sometimes even taking it away for a second or two so the dog learns that he will always get his food back and doesn't need to guard it. It also reinforces the fact that I control his food, not him.

Clicker training should be great for puppies. We did not begin clicker training with Holly until quite recently but, it really works.

Finally, always make training a lot of fun and allow some play time after any training.