What age to start obedience classes?

**Blueroses** · 21st July 2011, 11:49 AM

I have been teaching Alfie basic commands such as ... sit, lie down, sit up from the down position, come, stay ( for short periods ) give his paw and roll over, since he was 8 weeks old and he does them well usually. I have been walking him outdoors on a lead but on pavements he is not brilliant ( in fields etc he is much better ) he pulls a lot and puts everything in his mouth. I seem to be saying 'leave it' continuously. When he pulls I say 'steady' and stand still, but when we set off again he still pulls even after repeated stops. He also runs when cars go past ( it's a busy road ). I know it takes time. At what age would training classes be relevant? He is 14 weeks old.

Many thanks

Diana

**Sabby** · 21st July 2011, 12:15 PM

I always done Puppy Classes with mine as soon as 2 weeks after their last injections. After that i just continued with training classes for a while. I find just obedience too boring so I do rally Obedience. You are nearby to the best facility you can ask for. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers train UK Rally at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park. I don’t think you are that far from there?

(This is from their website)
What is Rally?
Dog and handler team navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as, Sit Down Sit, Staight figure 8, Send over Jump, Recall over Jump, Left Turn. Teams navigate the course at a brisk continuous performance without direction from the judge. Handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs during the performance.
All dogs, purebred, mixed breed and dogs with disabilities are encouraged to participate.
The aim of the UK APDT is to encourage all dog owners to take part in this new sport with a view to registering and competing for Rally titles and awards.
If you have any queries please contact the Rally team on: apdt.uk.rally@hotmail.com

**gamefanz** · 21st July 2011, 01:36 PM

WOW sounds like an awesome place near you Blueroses! I think it would be pretty cool!
We've been doing walks the last few days in our neighborhood, Toby doesn't pull but he does go left to right all the time. He wants to smell the grass on each side of the sidewalk LOL I hate leaving him on such a tight lead that he cannot get to the grass at all. I did that once yesterday and he peed on the sidewalk

He also picks up EVERYTHING! talk about annoying when you stop every few feet LOL
As far as classes, we will be using the big pet store training classes to start out with. I think we want to do that more to get him used to other dogs then go to a better place for more serious training (if our budget allows). We will be starting it after his 3rd shots. The stores allow after the 2nd shots but we are trying to be cautious right now.
good luck with your search!
Becky

**Blueroses** · 21st July 2011, 01:37 PM

I am very close to there, I must investigate ! Thank you for the tip

**Karen and Ruby** · 21st July 2011, 03:12 PM

Basic obedience (ie following commards) ia what you are already doing and thats a great start! The best time to teach your puppy is now! The time up to the age of 16-18 weeks os when puppies are like sponges and what you teach now will be ingrained for life.

What I will say is that although you are teaching these basic commands it is very important that once Alfie is mastering these commands 90% of the time in the house it is time to practice them out in the big wide world. Always take treats on walks with you so he has a good reason to listen to you!

Enrolling in a really good rewards based training class will be a great start to his little life- Cavaliers, in my opinion, are such a fab breed to train with as they so badly want to impress you and please you!
(and in my Ruby's case impress anyone watching!!)

I do Obedience and Agility with both mine and the Obedience has given my rescue Charlie such a great deal of confidence and has helped us bond enormously!

**Blueroses** · 21st July 2011, 03:17 PM

Thank you. Sounds like I need to get on the case asap. I know what you mean about outdoors, too many distractions !

Gamefanz, we have the zig-zag walking too

**Blueroses** · 21st July 2011, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Sabby

I always done Puppy Classes with mine as soon as 2 weeks after their last injections. After that i just continued with training classes for a while. I find just obedience too boring so I do rally Obedience. You are nearby to the best facility you can ask for. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers train UK Rally at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park. I don’t think you are that far from there?

(This is from their website)
What is Rally?
Dog and handler team navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as, Sit Down Sit, Staight figure 8, Send over Jump, Recall over Jump, Left Turn. Teams navigate the course at a brisk continuous performance without direction from the judge. Handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs during the performance.
All dogs, purebred, mixed breed and dogs with disabilities are encouraged to participate.
The aim of the UK APDT is to encourage all dog owners to take part in this new sport with a view to registering and competing for Rally titles and awards.
If you have any queries please contact the Rally team on: apdt.uk.rally@hotmail.com

Thank you so much for this info. I have followed up on it and enrolled for puppy obedience. I will see how that goes and then maybe the rally

I could not enrol for sooner than the end of August when Alfie will be 19 weeks old so I hope it is not too late for real benefit

**gamefanz** · 21st July 2011, 04:54 PM

That sucks! Was it because of the vaccines or something else? From what you have shared I think your doing a great job with Alfie and maybe he won't be behind at all when he starts, especially since he has already been around dogs.
That is my current frustration. I am nervous that he will not be socialized enough

He is afraid of seeing himself, he ran from the fireplace and sliding glass door yesterday because he saw himself. He hid behind my legs. Not even sitting with him at the fireplace or sliding glass door helped

On our walks he will run the opposite direction when he hears barking

As soon as the 3rd shots get done we are headed right into the classes!
Becky

**Blueroses** · 21st July 2011, 06:08 PM

No not because of vaccines, just because they close for 2 weeks in August and that is the next available date

I have the opposite with Alfie. When he sees a dog he wants to run towards it and jump all over it tail wagging and tongue licking! In his case I think he needs to be around a group of dogs to make him used to them being around and to accept them with 4 feet still on the ground