Confused about Puppy Obedience training

[Brooke and Zenyatta]

Hi everyone. We are picking up our new goldendoodle tomorrow! In preparation I've been calling around to different places and searching online for a good puppy school. I'm very confused. Some places will take the puppy after her first distemper shot..even as early as 8 weeks old. Others say they need to be 12 or 14 weeks. Help! We are in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis) area, so any local suggestions would be great as well.

Should I wait till the puppy is fully vaccinated before starting a class? Is there an "ideal" time to start classes? Any advice would be appreciated. I really want to raise a wonderful pup.

Thanks!

[Melissa]

I went back and checked my calendar and it looks like we started Buddy in Puppy Class at about 12-13 weeks. He may have had one more round of shots left. We went to Petsmart and was lucky enough to get a great trainer! Remember you can always start with the basic commands before class starts. Buddy knew sit and down already! :) GOOD LUCK!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I would wait for the 12-14 weeks. Parvo can be extremely nasty for such a little one and I wouldn't risk it. I agree with Melissa, work on the commands at home first. It's a great way to bond and have fun.

[Sandra Griffith]

I am not from your area so I am not able to suggest specific locations for classes. Your dilemma is a common one. From a purely medical point of you, it is suggested that you wait until shots are completed so that your pet has full immunity before potential exposure to harmful diseases such as parvo. Unfortunately, from a developmental point of you this is not ideal as puppies go through critical periods where socialization with both people and dogs is really important and the optimal time frame for this early socialization is over before the full cycle of puppy immunizations is completed. This is of course, a personal decision and I'm sure that you will weigh the pros and cons to see what works best for you. I can only tell you what I suggest to my clients after giving them all of the information.

I would be careful about where you take your puppy before immunizations are complete. What this means is staying away from public areas such as walking your puppy in public parks, dog parks, and pet stores where you are not able to have any control over the dog population that your puppy is exposed to. I like to take puppies out in one of those front pack dog carriers (they look like human baby front carriers). In this way you can expose your puppy to many new people, places, environments, stores, etc. without the risk of your puppy coming into direct contact with other dogs or the ground where those nasty parvo germs might be present. As to puppy classes, I would look for one that allows young puppies that have been screened. Ideally, the class requires proof of vaccination and a checkup and then a one week waiting period to allow for any incubation period that might harbour any diseases. I personally feel that early socialization with people and dogs is one of the most important things you can do for your puppy.

I know that this is a difficult decision and that you will make the best decision for you and your new family member. Congratulations on your new family member. Your puppy is very lucky to have you considering all of this important stuff right off the bat before any problems have a chance to develop.

[Toni McCann]

I brought Teddy home at 10 wks and called the vet the next day. She said to bring him in at 12 wks. We did and he has been doing great. Maybe it depends on what shots they had before leaving the breeder.

[Kay Bolin]

Sandra makes an important point. The most important socialization period developmentally is before the puppy shots are done. Our puppy kindergarten was for only the very young puppies who had not yet completed their shots. It was held indoors where they cleaned up specially for the young pups to be in there and they had a special grassy outdoor area for only the young puppies to potty. They were very careful. They even asked us to carry our puppies from our cars to the classroom.

On the other hand, there was a puppy kindergarten class being offered closer to home for us that was just loose out in a park where anyone could go with their dog. We decided not to do that one.

Ask questions! The early classes are great if they're being done carefully.

Best of luck and have fun with your new puppy.

[Brooke and Zenyatta]

Thank you everyone. I will definitely check on the things you mention (one more time!) I'm confident I could get her started on the basics, but it really is the socialization that I worry about. Luckily, nearly all of the places I've looked at that allow early lessons do require vet proof of at least one set of shots.

I do have a leftover baby sling that I could use for getting out and about. Great suggestion!

[Patty, Roxy & Spencer]

We started Roxy in classes when she only had one more round of shots which was a requirement of the training group. My breeder suggested we get "Before & After Getting Your Puppy" by Dr. Ian Dunbar. It's really helpful on all the training and socialization tips that you can start right away while you are waiting to complete your vaccinations. Parvo is a really nasty nasty thing. It's so important to protect your new pup from exposure. Sandra Griffith has some great advise to follow. I was a stickler about exposing my pup before her vaccinations were effective. Of course check with your Vet. The classes we went to were classes started by Dr. Dunbar, but are only in the SF Bay Area. But they required proof of vaccinations and the puppy had to be at least 12 wks old. It was also held in a very controlled area so it could be completely washed down. Don't worry about not starting classes to late, there is so much that you can do right away to give your pup a paws up when it does start it's classes. Enjoy your new puppy!

[Betsy & Ridley]

I am in Mpls and I found that the K9Coach has a puppy class specifically for pups under 16 weeks. I'm bringing home my mini doodle on 11/18 and we're signed up for the class starting 12/6, I think it's just a very basic puppy class but I'm thinking/hoping it will get us started off right training before we do obedience classes, espeically since I'm a 1st time dog owner and I'm a little nervous about the training!

http://www.thek9coach.com/

[Brooke and Zenyatta]

Hi Betsy- I considered that same class too, but I didn't want to wait that long. I'm going to Dog Days training with Linda Schindler that starts on 11/22. If you ever want to get together for puppy playtime just let me know!

[Sandra Griffith]

I looked up the K9Coach website and they do look excellent based on the information on their website. You might contact them and ask if they have any suggestions for socializing your puppy before the class starts. They might have some other puppies that are also waiting for the class but have been screened for shots, etc.

[Brooke and Zenyatta]

Anita, I think you are exactly right. The trainer I talked to stressed that same point. It's such an important thing that even our vet offers free puppy playtime once a week. I'm glad I made the decision to go ahead and start now. Given some behaviors my puppy is already exhibiting after just 4 days with us, I can't imagine waiting till 12 or 14 weeks to get started. She will be 9 weeks when her puppy class starts.

[Lisa {Zoe's Mom]]

I would consult your vet. Most of them say after their shots so they are protected. You don't know what the other dogs are bringing to class. You can start at home though and get a jump start on training. Basice like sit, down, stay, getting used to being on a lead. It's really good to start early, and is a great help when you start classes. There are puppy classes that might be benefical to you though. They teach ears, pads, anal glands teeth cleaning and they usually are limited in size. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.