When should we start puppy kindergarten?

Basenji Training
Log in to reply
  • bethp14B

    Missi and Cooper are 10 weeks old today! Some folks on this forum have suggested socialization for the pups. I was curious as to when and where we should go. Our local PetSmart offers classes. Are these worth while?

    Beth P.

    Northeast Ohio, USA

    0
  • WBLW

    After they have all thier puppy booster shots, which is about 12-16wks.

    I took my dogs to PetSmart and was very happy with it. They have since changed some of the things they do but still over all a great program.

    But first go in and find out what time the classes are so you can observe the trainer and get a feel for themand also talk to them. I talked to my trainer before putting my dogs in and was very happy with her. Reggie now has his CGC and my other dog I had at the time went through all thier classes but wasn't able to get her CGC because the AKC changed thier standards about the instructors giving the test.

    I don't know if your Petsmart has it, but the one I went to also had puppy play groups where you were able to take your puppy in and let them play with the other pups. But you either had to be evalutated by the instructor or have attented a class to participate.

    0
  • lvossL

    Puppies need to have their first round of vaccinations and for some classes they ask that they have had their second round also. You do not need to wait until you have finished the entire series of vaccinations. IMO the sooner the better for puppy kindergarten both for behavior and socialization reasons. You want a positive reinforcement class for you puppies. http://www.apdt.com has a trainer listing and you should call around and see if you can observe a class since not all trainers mean the same thing when they say positive reinforcement.

    0
  • QuercusQ

    Beth I sent you a private message with the link to what looks like a great training school in the Cleveland area.

    I have heard that there are many very good Petsmart trainers…and that their curriculum is quite effective and humane. But, as everyone said, I would check it out first to see if you like the trainer, and program.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • bethp14B

    Will do! Thank you very much for the guidance. We've taken many of the suggestions we've received in the last few days. Missi and Cooper now have an ex-pen so they aren't cooped up in their crates during the day while we're at work. We've also bought a bag of Solid Gold food to try (we'll mix it with what we've got now as it is used). They love their Kongs, and they are accumulating quite a number of toys to play with, although I think their favorite is still my pantleg :)

    Beth P.

    Northeast Ohio, USA

    0
  • WBLW

    Solid Gold is a great food, that's what I feed and I know several other people here feed that also.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • F

    Puppy teething/biting

    Basenji Training
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @zande - I have place pups at 9wks, but typically to prior Basenji owners, they know the "ropes"... also I do eyes at 9wks, so 10 works better for me in placing pups and yes...(LOL) mine are raised in the home, no kennel.... and the breeders that I know that use kennel runs, still have their pups in the house for house time and "education".....
  • S

    My puppy loves me- TOO much!

    Moved Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    1k Views
    S
    Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the advice :)
  • lvossL

    Puppy Nosework

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    lvossL
    I will try to be good and update each week so if you want to follow along you can. The things that you need is at least 5 boxes, one that should be labeled "Food" and is the only box that gets food in it, so the others aren't cotaminated with the food scent, treats that your dog really loves, and some different areas to work in. The first week the boxes are all in a line. Before I set L'Ox down to work, show him that I am putting the treats in the treat box then I do a "shell game" with the box, tapping it against the other boxes in the line and usually saying things like, "Where's your treat? Is it in this box? Oh, look at this box it looks so good." etc, and at some point switching the food box with one of the other boxes so that he doesn't just cue into the last box I was at and has to really work to find the treats. We do 3 searches in a training session and our goal for the week is to work in 5 locations. Mine will probably be the kitchen, the living room, the backyard, the school down the street, and at a friend's house. It makes things much easier if you have someone to help you but you can work by yourself using a tether or baby gate.
  • AndrewA

    Training a puppy

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    HA! We did the up& back method at my petsmart class. Jack is so flexible, he would actually follow the treat back with his head, until his head was almost lying on his back. I think what I finally had to do was push his butt down with one hand, while holding the treat in front of his face with the other. He got really good at it…now, he sits when I snap my fingers, when I say sit, or, my favorite, when I salute him. Good luck!
  • Ninabeana26N

    Puppy Nipping

    Basenji Training
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    7k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    @JazzysMom: With Keoki we have to firmly say, "NO" and if he doesn't stop, we hold him under the neck – not tightly, just enough so he can't grab -- and make him sit. Then we look him in the eye and say, "NO! Enough!". That usually does it for him, and he's getting better and better at either not biting and/or listening the first time. He usually does stop the first time w/me, and in fact seldom does bite at me in play, but not as well with Dh and the kids . One of my dd's says it's because he's afraid of me, but that is not the case. He never cringes, he just listens to the Mama! I think he sees the other dogs and the kids listening to me, and the fact that I don't ask or beg him to stop doing things. I TELL him. I am working to get the family to see the difference, and to stop bouncing around while saying, NO. LOL Same for me- that is exactly what I do! When he was younger we tried the yelp, and we tried ignoring him….neither seemed to work very well for us. This seems to work very well, at least in our case.
  • lvossL

    Kindergarten Graduation

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    6k Views
    spitfirekrl1S
    We also have tried a few different methods (for quite some time for each). The stop and turn thing, I thought was a great idea, but it didn't work with us either. She didn't mind changing direction she just liked leading in ANY direction. We finally got the harness type leash (not the head harness) and it has stopped her completely from pulling. It's kind of wierd because she still CAN pull but now when she gets to the end of the leash (we have a 16' leash) she will stop and wait for us to catch up (uless there's another dog or something that's very enticing and even that pulling is not as aggressive as it used to be with a traditional collar/leash.