First week at puppy class

CLASSES run for six weeks altogether, the first one being a talk night only for humans and then from week two the puppies arrive and training the humans begins. There are usually five or six puppies per class and the classes may all run in one evening, lasting 45 minutes to one hour each class.

The first evening starts with everyone attending the classes without their puppies. This is a lecture night only. As the people come into the building, they are greeted and given a name badge to wear during each session. Puppy owners' vaccination cards or the homeopathic alternative are checked and everyone is given a folder with plenty of information inside, such as training tips, socialising puppies, contact numbers, a book on loose-lead walking and a harness voucher.

People are seated in rows. After introductions the first talk is usually about the different types of equipment available, its uses, and what we prefer to see people use in puppy classes. Our preferred equipment is a harness that fits over the head rather than fitting through the legs, unless the puppy is head shy. The reason for this type of harness being our preferred equipment is to prevent skeletal, neck, thyroid and spinal damaged if a puppy pulls on its lead. Better the puppy pull into a harness and lead than to pull into a collar and lead. If the puppy does not pull at all at any time, then a nice flat, padded collar is acceptable.

We then talk about how dogs/puppies learn, learning association and how puppies need to have good experiences and associations in different environments. Pulling or checking our dog using harsh methods of training, or telling puppies off, can have long-term detrimental effects on the puppy and damage the human-dog relationship. We talk about how a good relationship can be formed between dog and owner, and explain some methods of keeping a nice calm, stress-free environment for the puppies.

We discuss the reasons why people should allow their puppies to explore and sniff when out for walk, and the importance of letting puppies learn to follow scent to find a jackpot at the end. We will learn techniques of stress reduction such as massaging your dog, teaching nosework, games, and how to use kongs and other stress-reducing and relaxing toys. Dogs need to depend on their owners and look to them as providers and someone of importance to them, in order to build a good healthy and long-lasting relationship.

A break is given at this stage for refreshments, and the opportunity for people to purchase any of the books, puppy toys or training equipment, etc available. Many people purchase harnesses, as these are recommended for puppies.

A video is then shown about calming signals, splitting up, helping your dog out and how to approach people and dogs when walking in the park or in the street. Then a talk is given, explaining why dogs feel their owners cannot cope with different situations, causing the dog to feel he has to intervene and deal with the situation in his own way.

Also explained is the need for people to avoid conflict or stress with other dogs, by taking their dog away from any stressful situation. The dog needs to feel his owner understands him and will solve the problem and separate him from the threatening situation.

In closing the evening people are told what to expect on the following week when they bring their puppies along. They are also warned to leave their puppies in the car with someone (in the shade if it is a warm evening) when they come to class, so the puppies would not be overwhelmed or have any bad experiences while being taken into the hall - an un-natural environment for them. The owners will be asked to go and get their puppies, one at a time.

The first day for the puppies and how we start them off in their first class, will be featured in the next issue of K9 Perspective.