When to start classes?

[Stephanie]

How soon did you start classes? Around what age would be right? I've been told that you should wait until they aren't puppies anymore.

[Debbie and Thomas]

We started our GD at 12 weeks old-we would have started earlier but it was Christmas break. It was the best thing we ever did. It was a group puppy obedience level class and some of the dogs were just under a year old. We are now in intermediate level classes with the same group. It is a lot of fun.

[fergie11]

Early puppy class is good. I didn't take Fergie to actual classes until she was 1 yr old BUT I bought a lot of books and videos and I did work with you everyday. I was under the impression that the puppy classes are more for socialization than anything. By 5 months she could sit, stay, down, rollover, go to bed..... and so forth. In my case Fergie got almost to much socialization (she visits a farm on a regular basis with 6 dogs there). When I did want to go further with obedience I took her to beginning classes (geared for a 1 yr old) and she flew through, passed her CGC and TDI with no problem. We're in Novice classes now and I plan to keep going with her.

Now that I have Lucy I've started her in puppy classes at 9 wks. She also gets the same socialization and I guess I know how to train her on my own but do I? It's like the second kid, you get a little bit lazy. If I know she's reporting to school we do our homework. She's doing great too and the best in her class - we only have 5 dogs in class. She actually gets more socialization with her friends at the farm.

Re: where to take her -- Ask how many puppies are in class? I think you want a small amount at this very young age so there aren't so many distractions. After all, they are very young puppies and their attention span is so short. Go to class early so they can all meet and play and get that out of their system so they can learn.

It will be fun!