They are two of the students in Barbara's Junior Puppy class at the humane society. I go to the puppy class to act as the demo dog and show the puppies how to play nicely. These pups will get lots of good socialization, learn that training is fun and get some basic obedience training at the same time. Puppy class will help these puppies and their people prevent behavior problems in the future and get these puppies off to a good start.
If you went to a good puppy class when you were little, your teacher was probably influenced by Dr. Ian Dunbar. Besides founding the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Dr. Dunbar revolutionized puppy training. Before he came along, most people didn't bother to take their pups to puppy class. The conventional wisdom was that we dogs couldn't learn things until we were 6 months old! 23 years ago Barbara took one of her puppies to a so-called puppy class where her Brittany puppy was put in a prong collar and spent the class heeling around in a circle! You can imagine she didn't last long there.
Dr. Dunbar showed how puppy class could be fun and educational at the same time, that proper socialization is more important than rote obedience and that we pups could learn tons of stuff.
Dr. Dunbar has a great website called Dogstar Daily. He has excerpts from his books available for free on the site as well as articles from other great trainers. Check it out when you have a chance.
19 comments:
I wish we had those classes here!
I am a wild girl!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Hi, Niamh,
I'm going to school too. Today I will post about it, so I'm inviting you to come on by:-)
Lots of love,
Nessa
Hi Niamh, you're right, those pups are so cute! We go to a great class and we love, love, love it! Thanks for the info, we'll check this link out :o) Is it in your sidebar too?
Slobbers xx
Puppy class rocks. I think I should still go since momma calls me her little puppy all the time. Those pups are lucky to have you as a teacher.
Slobbers,
Mango
Those puppies are adorable! I wish I had gone to puppy classes or any kind of training class, because it sounds like they're lots of fun. It would have been a great way to make friends. My mom had to teach me all my manners, because there weren't any classes availabe when I was first adopted. I'm sure you're a great model for those pups, Niamh. It's good that they have someone like you to aspire to.
Mom is on her way to the site. She says I'm Naughty Boy and need some major training and has been looking into recall classes. I got away again yesterday and ran all over by the busy road but was caught when I stopped to check out a man's 2 dogs. Mom says that no amount of her recall training has made an improvement because I'm too loopy when I get my leash away from her. Duh! I'm partying! She says that she will only walk me now with 2 leashes - one on my collar and the other on my harness and attached to her waist. We'll look like such dorks!
Thank you Niamh!
Mom called my vet and got a recommendation for a positive-reinforcement basic obedience class and signed me right up. I start a week from Saturday. From there I'll be moving into Front Class - "A high-energy, distraction-filled course designed to strengthen your recall in a controlled dog park-like
scenario." Mom wants to.. um... revisit all my beginner skillz. They were all put on the back burner while dealing with my anxiety and stuff. I think this means I have to repeat a grade? NO!!
I will be stopping school for about four months will the pups grow up. But I don't mind!
Butt wiggles,
Solid Gold Dancer
Hi Niamh,
Thanks for visting my blog, I am off to training tomorrow as well!
Wow you are a mentor. We bet all those puppies look up to you..
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
We will check him out. Mum say she like that man's filosilly's lots. Those puppies are cute!
~lickies, Ludo
What cute pups! I went to classes a LONGGG time ago but mom never sent Mitch! Maybe he wouldn't be so rude and stingy if mom sent him!
Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
Those puppies are so lucky to have you there for inspiration, Niamh!
Your Friends,
Tom and Tama-Chan
Cute pups.
Thanks for the link, we will check that site out. :-)
Holly & Zac...XX
We never went to puppy class, but Comet probably should have. Can you come over to our house and teach him to be civilized?
~~BLU
We had a great time slipping and sliding outside. To bad it is all gone today..
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
We took a peak of the link and it looks very good. Thanks for the information.
We're glad that Bronx and you had a fun time together. She seems to have so much energy. Just like your friend, Pit Bull is a good breed. We have to educate some stooopid humans like Micheal Vick! Homans are so trouble!
Momo & Pinot
Niamh,
My mom says I could use some training. Personally, I think she could use some training!
Pedro
YAY for Dr. Dunbar. Now I know who to thank for making my puppy classes so much fun, and so successful! Those cute pups are so lucky to have you and Barbara!
xoxo
Chef
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