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   Question    posted to Pet Trainers on 02/15/09 09:50 PM, Scarsdale, NY 10583
at what age should i enter my puppy into a dog training class and how many classes should he take. he is 10 weeks old
Specialist Answer 1 of 3
   Answered By     Best Friends Of White Plains, 02/15/09 10:21 PM
Best Friends Of White Plains
114 S Kensico Ave.
White Plains, NY 10601
914-997-0600
kit0002@yahoo.com
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While some vets tell you to wait until the pup has received all it's shots, most trainers agree the earlier your dog begins training the better they will be in the long run. Depending on what skills you want to learn one 6 week group class will offer you good information to get your pup started off right. For example my classes teach sit, down, come, stay, loose leash walking and basic problem solving techniques for puppy issues like jumping and biting. Also for puppies- providing structured off leash play will help to socialize your pup to new people and dogs in a controlled environment. You may call me for a free consultation at 914.997.0600 at Best Friends pet care in White Plains. I have classes starting in the next 2 weeks. Ask for Wendy.
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Specialist Answer 2 of 3
   Answered By     Roy Spitalnik, 02/16/09 02:51 PM
Roy Spitalnik
176 North Highland Avenue
Ossining, NY 10562
914-762-0063
cbtdog@gmail.com
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First, congrats on your new puppy. At 10 weeks, your puppy is in the middle of two important developmental learning stages - the critical social period and the fear imprint stage. The critical social period is called that because it is when a dog learns how to make social connections with other dogs and people. This stage has a life long effect and can be changed barely a little once learned. Don't think that your puppy is above this leaning because he/she is sweet. Puppies will change as we have from toddler to adulthood. Never forget that your job here is to teach life lessons. Social skills are most important.

Finally, the fear imprint stage. This is when your puppy experiences something he/she (not you) perseives as traumatic, and it sets into the long term memory. At this age, things of this nature are retained easily for long term survival. If your puppy steps into a pot hole in the sidewalk he/she didn't see, he/she could always be afraid of holes in the ground... even small ones. Both stages end at about 14 weeks.

Given what I have just stated, the answer is start your classes as soon as possible. I know your vet is concerned about vaccinations, I am not. This is leaning you don't get another chance at, and you cant make up for later. These stages are widely ignored (especially by the veterinary community) and are a big reason for aggression and anxiety/phobia issues later in life. As far as how many classes should you take, that's more up to you. How many do you think you, or your puppy need? Most group sessions (and group sessions are always better than privates for basic obedience) have a set number of classes. This is due to the trainer and the pace that your dog will learn the material given the technique. If you need an answer for peace of mind, I would say at least 5 group sessions for socializations sake. But even then folks... take your dog to meet other dogs every chance you get. How many people did you have to meet, as a child, to be able to learn how to deal with people?

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Specialist Answer 3 of 3
   Answered By     The Cultured Canine, 02/17/09 10:31 AM
The Cultured Canine

White Plains, NY 10605
914-288-0020
Email Company
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What an excellent question!  Puppies can begin to learn from their experiences very early, even while they are still in their breeder's care.  In fact, they are learning all time.  The question is not whether they are learning.  It is whether they are learning what you'd like them to learn!

The most urgent developmental deadlines are the "socialization window" (conservatively considered to be 14 weeks of age) and the "bite inhibition" window (usually 18 weeks or just before the adult teeth come in).  Missing these educational deadlines now can cost you years of trouble and heartache later.  It is easy (and fun) to do things right now - all you need to do is learn a bit about puppy behavior and find a well-educated dog trainer to work with.

You can learn about these important deadlines, free of charge, by visiting Dr. Ian Dunbar's website, Dog Star Daily and reading the sections about Raising a Puppy under the Training Textbook link.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/socialization-with-people

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/teaching-bite-inhibition

As far as puppy classes go, I'd highly recommend starting with private training sessions at home, such as the ones provided by my company, The Cultured Canine (www.theculturedcanine.net). These sessions can begin right away, even if your vet has concerns about starting puppy classes before your pup is fully vaccinated.

Many vets now permit puppies to attend puppy kindergarten classes and, combined with private sessions at home, I think these are a fabulous idea. To promote socialization and play with other puppies, I encourage all my private clients to attend puppy kindergarten classes or puppy playgroups.

The best puppy kindergarten classes, in my opinion, focus on socialization, body handling, teaching soft mouth (bite inhibition) and appropriate play with other pups (no bullying, addressing fears) rather than formal obedience behaviors - there is plenty of time for that later.  Lots of off leash play with other puppies interrupted frequently (every minute or so) with being called for a treat or being picked up by a new person is a great way for pups to meet their developmental deadlines and get them ready for further training later.

Divine K-9, Canine Kindergarten and Port Chester Obedience Training Club offer various forms of puppy kindergarten classes in Westchester.  Canine Kindergarten offers puppy playgroups supervised by trainers.  We know of some locations in Manhattan (tiny dogs) and Connecticut, too.

For more information about early puppy training packages from The Cultured Canine (www.theculturedcanine.net), please email us at info@theculturedcanine.net or call 914-288-0020.

Best of luck with your new pup!

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