preparing for puppy kindergarten!!!

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I'm very excited that Noah will be starting his puppy kindergarten on Thursday. He'll be 10 weeks old. This seems a little young since his attention span is pretty short, but I'm hoping he and I both get a lot out of it. I never brought Sherlock to obedience and was able to teach him all of the basics and more by myself. I'll be enrolling him in a more intensive obedience class in January though. I want to start early with Noah since he'll be twice Sherlock's size and has a much more independent and high-energy personality. Does anyone have suggestions on making the most of obedience class? Anything you wish you had known before you started? Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Jordan was 10w when we started PK also. My best advice is do everything possible to make he goes potty before class. It seems like when one puppy goes....they all go.
Also try to get some energy out,but not much so he is sleeping in class. In my class we would end the class with puppy massage Jordan was all out.I would have to carry her out to the car.She would not wake up,it was comical.My trainer would say well we know class is done because Jordan wont move. :)
She was the youngest in the class but she was the superstar.I think starting young is the way to go.They do not have any "bad" behaviors yet.
Good Luck!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

PK was our favorite class! The potty before class is a important. I would give Samantha a very little breakfast before we left. A hungry (not starving) puppy is best for class. I used her kibble as her 'treats' so she got her breakfast and she worked hard for her 'treat'. We 'failed' the relaxatoin part of class. Samantha was too excited and wanted to play with the other pups rather that lay in my lap.
I also brought her favorite toy as her other 'treat'. I kept one special and only came out for class and the rare time between classes. That made it so special and she knew that she did something fantastic in order to get to play with it.
You are going to have so much fun!!

[Adina P]

Try to tire him out ahead of time.
Bring $10,000 treats with you that will make it worth it to him to pay attention as much as possible.

Puppy class isn't for the dog usually--at least not for serious learning of obedience... it is more for socialization for the puppy and support for you.

[81qpgqtiifd3]

10 weeks is not too young. That's when I started Oliver- the earlier the better def. Oliver is now 6 months old and we are working toward our CGC!! I'm very proud. You may think their attention span is short, but once they get into that ring he'll be ready to learn. Oliver was also the star of his class and was the youngest by far!! Just take tons of treats, potty before, and practice, practice, practice outside of class. Oh, and have fun!! This is for you, too!!

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

I wish I had started sooner. Molly was almost 15 weeks old and frightened of the other puppies. Bad experience with first adult dog away from the breeder. At the first session ask your trainer if you have any current discipline problems. Molly bites a lot...always nipping at our feet, legs, hands. My trainer gave me some good advice and I have been following her advice to the tee. Hopefully your trainer sent you an email or info telling you specific things to bring...if not, straight leash not a retractable, treats, skip meal before training session, & bathroom break if inside a building. I am enrolled in a clicker training for puppies...positive reinforcement. Good luck!!!

[Janie]

As long as Noah has had his shots,I think it would be fine.