Comments on: Puppy is starting obedience classes today. How do I handle her excitement of seeing new dogs?

By: K9Resqer

K9Resqer — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:59:26 +0000

That’s why you need to take her to class. It will help her to better socialize with other dogs. Don’t worry about it, all of the dogs will be excited and want to play with each other. The trainer is used to it and will control the chaos. Just be calm yourself. Don’t yell at your dog or reprimand her for acting like a puppy.

Usually in puppy classes you’ll train for 5-10 minutes and then the puppies will be allowed to all play together for a few minutes. Then you’ll train again, then play again. So she’ll be able to get to know the other dogs and will eventually understand she doesn’t have to get all worked up when she sees them.

By: Dr. KIA GCG, 101™

Dr. KIA GCG, 101™ — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:30:26 +0000

Trust me neither will any of the other dogs, it will be addressed by your trainer. Keep her on her leash, and keep her close.

By: rjn529

rjn529 — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:28:03 +0000

Thanks for being a conscientious owner and going to classes!

Most puppy classes are total chaos the first week – and that’s okay. Ask the other owner if your dog may meet theirs, and allow your puppy to go up to the other puppy. If your puppy starts to take a foot off the floor to put on top of the other puppy, give a small tug back and don’t let her do this. Puppies are puppies, and their attention will naturally be on everything and everyone else, which is why they are in class.

Most puppy classes use food lures to keep the puppy’s attention. I’m not familiar with PetSmart classes, but assume they will do the same.

Basically, listen to the instructor, do your homework, properly socialize the dog, and you’ll be fine. Most importantly, use the time as a great way to bond with your new friend, and have fun!

By: melissa k

melissa k — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:06:25 +0000

Don’t allow her to jump on other pups when she greets them. If she does, remove her. She will learn that rudeness doesn’t make friends. Other than that, the instructor will guide you through this and show you how to calm her down.

By: Breezeylady

Breezeylady — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:23:24 +0000

I may be wrong, but at 10 weeks, I am guessing you are enrolled in a puppy obedience class, which is geared towards socialization with a little obedience. The whole point is for the instructor to help owners introduce the puppies to other puppies, so they are expecting excitement and your dog will not make a bad impression.

At 10 weeks, does your dog have all her vaccinations because she should before interacting with other dogs. 10 weeks is a very susceptible time for these little guys, so be careful.

By: rescue member

rescue member — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:06:14 +0000

Don’t worry about “bad impression”, all the pups will be in the same excited mode.
You might want to get there a little early so your pup has time to calm down a bit before the class actually starts, but aside from that, she’s there to learn how to deal with other dogs and new people, not just obedience, so nobody is going to expect her to know that already.

I’ve always gone to a good private trainer who gives group lessons, one recommended by my vet, so I don’t know how
Petsmart’s classes are, but the ones I took my dogs too were great, really helped train and socialize.

Good luck – don’t worry about impressions, just get what you can out of the classes – for you and your pup.

By: pzickmund

pzickmund — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:39:01 +0000

The trainer is very used to that response and will help you through it. That’s what they do.

Good luck in class!