Is 6 mos too old for puppy class? LONG

[Nancy]

do it!

[Shay]

Thanks Nancy, I'll do it. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

[Kodee]

When I visited Faith and Sara at their petsmart class I noticed the next class was waiting to come in at the end of hers. So there would be a bit of a chance to socialize and see other dogs for you. Besides, you may choose to go on to the beginner after. I did more than one level with my old dog, its actually fun. The puppy classes will be a nice low key start to take in the new environment. Have fun!

[molly]

Even if there is only one other dog in the class, it will be really good for her. Plus the trainer will be able to give you lots of helpful advice on how to help her overcome her fears. She will do great and the almost one on one time with the trainer will be terrific.

[Shay]

Thanks Molly....I am really looking forward to the class. It will also get me out of the house too. It is at 11:30 AM every Thurs. for 8 weeks. I probably over reacted about her little growling and barking episode. Because we think she is human we forget she is after all a dog, and she is going to do doggy stuff. I think becasue of my Lhasa's aggressive behavior, I am hypersensitive about this. I just had visions of Chloe when she did this. Chloe wouldn't even let strangers pet her. I can't ever imagine my sweet little Cav doing this, I know it's not in their nature.

[Karlin]

The less chance a dog has to socialise with particular places, people, animals, objects, the more these kinds of problems can emerge -- and they can also be connected to other messages she may be getting entirely without your realsiing it -- they are reading US after all so our own behaviour and actions at home can be steering a dog towards unwanted behaviours as well as the signals we give off when walking them -- it can be really hard sometimes! We have all been there with one behaviour or another at some point! That's why a class is so great -- really helps to get some guidance.

So your trainer is right -- really important to work on this and it will likely reverse very quickly.

Personal example: Jaspar and Leo are terrified of most small children as they had few opportunities to meet kids except very loud active urban kids around here who would try and chase and grab them and think its funny when they doidge away. I am quite firm with them (kids that is) -- a group started doing this yesterday -- but the damage was done when the dogs were younger. I use any opportunity with quiet friendly kids of my friends to try and change those perceptions -- eg give the kids small treats to give the boys. They really like the small kids they knew from early on who were friendly.

Other example: Lily is not very well socialised to other dogs when on the lead (she gets defensive and like some bitches, really doesn't like other female dogs much) but is so good with people that she'd be a good therapy dog. The same group of kids were picking her up and petting her yesterday and she loved every minute and was licking faces all around.

[Shay]

I am so excited about the class. I know some of Lily's behaviors are my fault too. I really do baby her, and she eats it up. I am overly protective too. She is also way too attached to me. It started off that she was more attached to hubby, but that has changed. Probably because he is firmer with her, but she does listen to him more than she listens to me. She still loves him and if I'm not around she sticks to him like glue, but if I'm around, I have to be in her sights at all times. I am trying to leave her more too, she has really bad separation anxiety. I think this will be good for all of us. Lily is just so different than all my other dogs, who were all very independent. This is such a learning experience, I can't wait for the class on Thursday!

[mishmosh]

I was told exactly the same by a local dogschool. Bertie was 'too old' at 21 weeks and made the excuse that he had probabaly learned too many bad habits already. He's only a little, nutty puppy. Anyway, I took no notice and still pushed to enroll him.

I saw the older class as we were leaving the other day. There's no way my pup could be in with those!! The dogs were HUGE!

[Zippy]

Lily isn't too old for puppy class, Shay.

When I enquired about classes for Mary Alice, they suggested puppy class even though she's 2 3/4 yrs.

He just asked if she obeyed me all the time....lol Um, NO!! lol

Apparently, you start with the basics and if you're too advanced, they'll move you up. He did say that most people/doggies move back to the start!