Puppy Kindergarden- Day One

[Tracey & Spike]

So last night was our first night of what essentially is puppy kindergarten (needs to take this to graduate to grade one. So cute)

I honestly don't know who was more tired the humans or the doodle! Spike was out cold on the car ride home and he was still sleepy this morning before I left for work!

I have to say I'm super impressed. Some of the things that were worked on last night I have already been doing with Spike. Handling paws, ears, his tail and such. So that was a bonus. I got a chuckle at the other puppy parents who had to battle their mini sharks during this exercise. Spike just sat there like it was no big deal. Other things that were demonstrated and explained were amazing. Things that we never would have thought of. But now that we know; it all makes complete sense.

One of the big points of the night was the 1 second rule. You have 1 second to give correction or give praise after something's been done. Any longer and it's in the past. The faster you are at catching them in the act doing a good or bad deed the better the association with the desired behavior. Don't get me wrong.. I've been pretty fast at getting to him to praise or correct. But not fast enough to really change behaviors. If he's snuck away and had an accident and I don't notice it immediately I've missed the golden moment of correction. I can scold all I want and he wont associate his mis-deed with doing anything wrong. It's done. It's over. He's already moved on. Same works for when he goes outside. I need to be quicker to bust out the confetti!

The trick to the one second rule? The drag line! Brilliant! When he's loose in the house he now has a house leash attached to him. When he grabs something he shouldn't I just have to step on the leash to get to him. I don't have to chase him around encouraging more zoomies and turning his thieving ways into a fun game. Brilliant.

We learned so much last night. We are going to have to read the "Training bible" to go through it all again. By this time next week Spike will recognize his name and look at us when we say it. He knows our voices but I really don't think he's associated himself with his name. Proved that one in a very distracted environment last night.

Other than the information overload the experience was wonderful. I was honestly so nervous about how Spike would deal with other dogs and people. So far I have no worries. If anything it's more concerning that he acts like a "momma's boy".

During off leash play time he stuck with us. He attempted to approach the border collie siblings but as soon as they noticed him he took off like a shot under the nearest bench. He made nice with the classes only other doodle (the owners said it was a full size dood puppy but it was much smaller than Spike (mini dood) and older. To me it looked like a cocker. They bought him off the internet so who knows) They cowered together. A yorkie just shook like a leaf and a bad behaved red rimed eyed rotty had to be escorted from play time for bad behavior. Of course that's the dog Spike was most drawn too. Fun times!

The next three weeks will be interesting. I'm really looking forward to it. I know if we all stick to it and practice hard we are going to be well on our way to having a well behaved little dood :)

Note to self: Get new soft treats. The soft treats I had last night could have knocked over a horse. Man they STUNK! Although Spike LOVED them and three other dogs (the border brothers) were trying to steal from our treat bag. The trainers were using Zukes and there was no nasty smells from them. However thanks to my knowledge from the food group I know Zukes were bought out by Nestle. Not good! Need to scan the food group for approved soft treat brand.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I think you just need to choose your facility carefully. The place we took Yogi to bleached their floors before our puppies came into their classroom. I didn't take to petsmart though because I didn't feel they were careful enough in that regard. I actually had Yogi signed up there before we got him, but I went in one day just to watch the puppy class for fun, they had the puppies out walking inside the store for socialization. Which in itself is not a bad idea, but since Yogi would be attending before full vaccinations, I was not comfortable with that idea, so I canceled my classes there and started looking around.

Just check out your safer options. I was so very glad we took Yogi, it's been a wonderful foundation.

[Tracey & Spike]

Hey Pam, Spike has only had two out of the three sets of vaccinations. He was born on Dec 12. We are still really careful where we take him. Dog parks and such are still off limit. When we go to the pet store he cruises around in style... in the buggy!  We've been doing this since day one. Literally. He didn't come straight home.. we went to the pet store. It gives him human contact without being on the same level as other dogs.

The puppy class we started going to caters to dogs who are incomplete in vaccinations. It's an actual dog training school with different "classrooms" according to the dogs "grade". There is a separate room set aside just for the puppies. It's extremely clean and you should see how fast everyone moves if there is an accident during playtime. Out comes the cleaners! From what I've learned or been told.. after their second set of shots you can start taking them out of their protective bubble. We started walking Spike around the block. Just more to the center of the road and avoided any other dog messes.

[Pam Thomas]

I am so looking forward to it. How old is Spike and has he had all vaccinations? Getting mixed messages on that part. Socialization vs vaccines,

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I loved puppy class with both my pups and I loved how tired it made them :) Sounds like you learned a lot and had fun.

[Tracey & Spike]

The class does seem like a good one. The home training manual has been pretty much attached to my hand. We've done a lot of practicing today. He's wiped out. Again! I can't wait until we get the walking nice on a leash part. I've fallen because I have to avoid stepping on the little shoelace grabbing leash biting monkey. Haha

[Camilla and Darwin]

I really miss doing puppy kindergarten with Darwin, such a fun time and he learned so much! Enjoy, it sounds great!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

It sounds like you've found a good class! You'll find it amazing how the foundation and bond you develop now will reward you both many times over in the years to come.  Practice for short periods several times a day and in all types of different settings.  Even different rooms in your house.  Most of all, have fun (and keep us posted:)  

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I loved puppy class! Quincy was the wild one that ran all around the gym in free time with the other adventure seekers.  This trainer has a separate area penned off for the more timid pups. The class really was the foundation for all the training we did and continue to do.  

[Pat and Traveler]

Puppy kindergarten was so much fun!  Glad you and Spike are enjoying it.  Trav was so wild during free play time that he and two pit bull puppies were separated from the others and had their own crazy little play group.  :)

[Ashley, Sadie and Coal]

Oh, wow!  Sounds like you and Spike did a great job and had fun.  Can't wait to hear more about your exciting puppy adventures!