As kids all over are getting ready to head back to school, I'm getting ready to start another round of puppy classes. I'm ever hopeful that the weather will cooperate and these classes won't be too hot for the puppies (and their people!) who are enrolled. I did have one puppy owner reach out to me for more information, on a referral to my classes by her veterinarian. Her main question was, quite simply, "Why do we need to take puppy classes at all? We've had dogs before!" This is actually a great question and one everyone should ask before enrolling in classes. You see, while I love teaching my puppy classes, I know that puppy classes aren't for every puppy. I also know that it doesn't matter how many dogs you've had over the years, this puppy will be different, even if it's the same breed you always own. And most importantly, I know that the science behind puppy development is changing all the time which means training methods are going to be different now than they were even 5-10 years ago. While I know not everyone is as science-minded as me, I do think that my love of scientific research and learning means that the information I bring to my students in class is the most current and based on actual studies done on developing puppies, and not based on something I saw on TV or read on some random website on the internet. I won't shove the science down your throat, but if you ask me why I do something a certain way or why I don't do something a certain way, I'm going to give you an answer that's rooted in research. Here are a few examples:
So, why do I do two to three short play sessions in every class and why do the playgroups change weekly? I do this so that puppies get a chance to meet one another, but in small enough groups not to get overwhelmed. Shorter play sessions, whether in class or on your own at a playdate, are a must. Puppies go through fear stages during their first year of life, so keeping play sessions short, and rotating participants, creates a more stimulating, but still safe, learning environment.
Why do I have puppies doing tricks in class instead of regular obedience? I do this for two reasons. First, because most people taking my classes have taught sit, down, and come, but don't know where to go from there. Second, because tricks are fun for people and for dogs, and if you are having fun, you're more likely to do the work. The added bonus is that every trick I teach in class has a real-world application. For example, teaching a dog to roll over is cute. But teaching a dog to lay down, then flop on its side, and then roll over has value because now your veterinarian (or their staff) can examine your puppy's abdomen and legs with ease.
Why don't I teach puppies to heel? I don't teach a strict heel because the puppies in my class are still very young, for the most part. While I'll work with the older puppies on the foundation for heel, I want the owners of the younger puppies in particular to work on just getting their puppies to enjoy walking on a leash without zig-zagging or slamming on the brakes. Frankly, heeling is boring for dogs, so I keep it to a minimum. I'm not saying I let people get dragged around by their puppies, or vice versa, but I don't feel like puppies need to be in a strict heel. We work more on moving with their owners, around cones and other obstacles, with a loose leash. I like that much better and so do the puppies!
While I try to screen out fearful puppies beforehand, every once in a while, I'll get one in class. I try to give them a chance to acclimate just in case they are simply slower to warm up, but if they are truly afraid, that will inhibit their ability to learn and make gathering in a group setting a negative experience. Some dogs, like some people, are introverts who learn better in a non-classroom/group environment. For those puppies I suggest one-on-one work first, and then they can try a class again in a few months when their puppies have gained some confidence. Any even if those puppies are too shy to ever take a puppy class, that's okay too. There are plenty of other ways to learn, grow, and thrive in the absence of group instruction.
So, if you or someone you love has a puppy right now, and they are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, send them my way. For those of you out of the area asking about virtual attendance for my classes, I'm working on that! I'd love to be able to use Zoom to get my classes to you in the near future.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
We always do some kind of puppy socialization classes, it’s so good for them, and helps them to be fearless, confident adults! :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Puppy classes are a great opportunity for most puppies!
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