When to start puppy classes?

[Puppy Madness]

When did you start puppy classes? Our vet says 16 Weeks but the trainers say after the second round of shots.
Wendell had his first round at 6 Weeks and will get the second round at 9 Weeks.
We are eager to begin classes, but want to be safe!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We started at 16 weeks.  Even then, I carried her in and never put her down, outside of the training ring.  Parvo is rampant and you can't be too careful.

[Sheryl & Safiy]

I agree, wait until your pup has completed his shots and maybe even a week or two after. I'm waiting till Safiy is 5 months. I just did a lot of reading this site as well as you tube videos to help me with my pup at home. Good luck! Wendell is adorable and I love that name !

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'd follow the vet's advice. I believe we started after the last shots too with both Lucy and Oscar. We did, however, start 'puppy romp' socialization sessions at a local doggy daycare facility at about 10 weeks old. All the puppies had to have the same level of shots, and the area was disinfected on a Friday night with the romp on Sunday (no Saturday sessions). It was an excellent way to give puppies the vital socialization they need before 16 weeks old. You may want to check into local doggy daycare facilities near you to see if they offer something similar. Or check with your vet. It was our vet who made the suggestion.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ragley is 4 months and we just started puppy classes this past Saturday. She is one of the oldest in her class and I have done tons of work with her from day one so she is the "star" of her class, but something I noticed is that she is definitely more ready to learn and absorb than the others in her class. She is able to stay focused for the full hour and responds quickly. I think her older age helps with this. Some of the other puppies actually fell asleep before the end of the class! haha There are two puppies in her class that are 8 weeks old and I cringe at the fact that their families have them out and about and running around on the floor so soon. The training facility checks everyone's vaccination records, but IMO you can still never be too careful. I don't mind that Ragley is bigger and a little advanced for the class- you can't do too much training and it allows us to start perfecting commands.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Yogi was 10 weeks and I really liked taking him. The floors were disinfected with bleach before the puppies were allowed in the area where they trained. I am very happy we started him when we did. I wouldn't have taken him just anywhere at that age, but since floors were cleaned, I felt safe.

I also really liked exposing him to other puppies, people, and allowing him to have playtime at each class. It was good for his socialization.

[Karen and "Gabby"]

Trust your Vet....Gabby contracted Parvo at 9 weeks and the only places she went was in our yard and on a short walk  around our cove (on the asphalt) -- Needless to say,we waited until she had been completely vaccinated before starting group training. 

You might consider individual sessions.  My trainer came to our house and did one-on-one with us at a very reasonable price. .

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I'm glad you jumped in Karen.  The voice of experience!  It just goes to show, it can happen to anyone!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

FYI...here is Karen's thread every puppy owner should read:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness/forum/topics/my-parv...