Advice about puppy classes and training please.

Hi all
I am interested in your opinions and advice on dog training

As an adult I have been lucky enough to have three Staffies as members of my family, but have never actually done any kind of professional dog training with them.

The first Staffie we had the good fortune to share our lives with, was Chewee, we had to put him to sleep at the end of last year, and although we know it was for the best, as a family we were devastated, the house was not the same and we still miss him dearly.

We did however find our Leia, Im sure Chewee would have approved, I just wish they could have met. The other dog we have shared our lives with (and still do, on occasion) was Tyson.

Chewee was five and a half month old, when he came to live with us, and he hadn't been treat very well at all, he was through no fault of his own your typical chavy staff. My friends daughter had bought him, as she had got double her social security money for some reason, her and her boyfriend had just moved into their new council flat because she was pregnant, a new staffie puppy was at the top of her prioritys where as boyfriend wanted to spend the money on a new couch, unfortunatley Chewee bore the brunt of boyfriends frustration.

I got Chewee Who had spent the first few months of his life crying on a balcony, and getting beaten, on a poor diet, and walked to my house on a lead that had been turned into a crude choke chain, for £25, no papers, no injections, hadn't seen a vet, and for the first week or so, would cower and hide when I came home from work, we lived in a maisonet and he didnt have the strength to walk down the steps to the garden so I had to carry him.
A couple of years later, our vet changed and the first time he saw Chewee he asked me "If I had taken Chewee to any shows ?"
I said "No"
To which he replied "I should!"
Chewee was awsome, soft as you like, well behaved and a very fit dog. Walked of the lead, most of the time, would sit before you crossed a road, his recal wasnt 100% but it was like "Hang on Im just checking this out" I realy didnt worry with him, I used to say, "The only person I trust with my kids more than him, was their mother.

Our other Staffie friend is Tyson, he was four months old, and had, had four homes before he came to live with us.
I had changed my job and was working away from home a lot when my GF called me, and asked me if we wanted another Staffie for free, I was concerned, how Chewee would react, but my GF introduced them anyhow, and Chewee, kicked off, I said it was because another (Male) dog was on his turf. A couple of days later I get another call saying Tyson had been rehomed next door, with my neighbour, happy days I thought.
The day after I got another call, Tyson had barked and growled at their 5 year old son and made himcry, so he had to move on yet again.

I got home the day after, and went to met Tyson armed with a pocket full of gravy bones, poor Tyson was bouncing off the walls in his crate, after about 20 mins Tyson was sat in my lap playing so I decided to take him home, I walked through the door with Tyson on the lead, and Chewee just looked at me, then at Tyson, then back to me, he came over, sniffed Tyson and we lived with two male Staffies for about two and a half years.
I was working away from home just before Bonfire Night when my GF phoned me in tears, Chewee was petrified of fireworks and because he was stressing Tyson started to fuss about Chewee, it ended up with both dogs fighting, and my GF getting the kids out of the room and leaving them to it, there was no blood, but it really scared them.

A good friend of ours had lost her English Bull about three months before, so Tyson now, lives with her and her children, happyending really, as we still see him lots and he is really spoilt in his new home.

So now I just have Leia, my gorgeouse 13 week old pup, as I have said above she has a lot to live up to, but she is the first I have had that hasnt come with any bagage.

Im lucky because I have plenty of time to spend with my dog, I enjoy being outside, and my hobbies like Kayaking and camping mean my dog can come with me

What I would like to know is

Do you think I would get enough from professional training
do you get things like, a reduction on pet insurance if you do the KC puppy foundation course and good citizen course.

Are there any other courses you would recomend for Staffies?

Could I save my money and find the same sort of training on YouTube

I have messaged 3 local dog training groups localy, and none have replied, so how much do they cost ?

Anything else you can offer on this subject would be gratley taken on board.

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Thanks for your help, in advance.
Damo

Great post Damo

Sounds like you've had a lot of Staff experience and coped well when things haven't quiet gone to plan.

You could indeed learn a lot from YouTube, however, a pup will gain so much more from interaction at a class or puppy group. Socialisation is so very crucial and classes are a great way to get that. I can't really emphasis how much socialisation will Benefit going forward... It's a must.

Thanks Ian!
Thats pretty much what I thought. They do enjoy the learning curve dont they, (probably why I get on with them so well) have you any idea, how much they cost, Im not really bothered as I cant see them being extortionate, I just like to be prepared.

I think training classes are well worth doing as we try & show everyone how great staffies can be in the right hands. Katy & I did the KC good citizen course & she sailed through it. It does them the world of good to be well socialised with a variety of other dogs. Our course was £6 a session

Hi Damo,

For me it's horses for courses. If you are an experieced dog owner and know what you're doing training a puppy, then go for it. There are plenty of ways of socialising and introducing all the things a pup needs to learn away from classes (our vet has puppy parties from time to time, for example). They can be great and I'd strongly advise them for people who are new to dog ownership, but it sounds like you're knowledgeable enough to get on fine on your own, but with the option of training classes later on if you feel there's something you need help with.

There are so many videos on YouTube etc., the main thing I'd say is watch with your eyes open and brain engaged. Some trainers say something but the dog is telling you something else (Ceasar Milan springs to mind...), and many will say that their way always works, when in fact I personally think that these guaranteed ways can't fit every dog or every person. See what works for you and Leia, and above all what makes sense to you.

I think the main thing about going it alone training is to keep super aware of what Leia is learning, all the time, and catch her as she starts to test the idea of doing things you don't want (Millie's at the trying the corners of rugs stage!), and redirect her behaviour to something she can do instead. Nip things in the bud rather than saying 'it's not that bad yet', and you'll save yourself a heap of harder training later.

Above all, have fun!

Hi Damo, I also agree that classes are great. We ( mainly the Mrs) took our pup to the KC classes. She passed the pup foundation and the bronze by the time she was 6 month. We've given her a break before we start the silver. Both the courses were about £50.
We were confident that we could train her ourselves, but the socialisation side of it is what attracted us. That and the fact she's got 2 rosettes out of it.
And don't forget we need to see pictures of Leia!
Pete

-Ian- wrote:Great post Damo

Sounds like you've had a lot of Staff experience and coped well when things haven't quiet gone to plan.

You could indeed learn a lot from YouTube, however, a pup will gain so much more from interaction at a class or puppy group. Socialisation is so very crucial and classes are a great way to get that. I can't really emphasis how much socialisation will Benefit going forward... It's a must.

Agree strongly with the socilization point. We trained Suki ourselves but she goes to the dog park/run everyday for the socialization experience

Classes have been brilliant on socialising our pup. he's great with other dogs would definitely recommend it. We go to the dogs trust and its £5

Thanks for the comments folks, at £5-£6 a session it would be rude not to really, I have plenty of experience with dogs but, as said many times above the socialisation side will be good for Leia and I will probably learn a thing or two myself
Leia's diary

Pete there are pictures of Leia in the link above.

id say the classes are definitely a must i took mia to classes ran by the local dog warden and it was basic obedience and you could work your way up to a dog show i just wanted mia socialised with other dogs really.

Aw what a great story, thanks for sharing!

We have trained Bane ourself up until now. He is great in the house, knows loads of fun tricks and generally pretty well behaved. Looking back now, I think he really would have benefited from some kind of professional class though, again mainly for the socialisation and learning how to act around other dogs. We are looking into classes now for him and have found ones ranging from £45 for 8 sessions to £90 for 4 sessions.

If you get a response from the trainers, ask to go along to a session by yourself to just watch and see how they work and you'll find one that's right for you

I think with a set course all the dogs are pretty much on the same level. We preferred this to the class where all the dogs are different ages and abilities.
An hour a week at the class isn't going to teach any dog anything, it's all about the work in between.
I also think it's the trainer and how they run the class. Ours was great but she had 2 weeks off while her bitch had pups and the bloke that stood in for her, who did seem to know what he was talking about, didn't really run a good class.
The advice about going to check it out first is worth taking on board.
Pete

Just thought I would give you all an update.

Leia had her first puppy class on Wednesday, we are doing the KC puppy foundation course, which cost £65 and last 6 weeks and she gets a certificate and roset at the end. Me and my partner took Leia and we all really enjoyed it, my son is coming with us next week. although I have lots of experience with staffies and dogs in general I have to say I came away from it with some extra knowledge that just seemed to make sense. One of the best things about it though was having the best behaved dog there, especially as a couple of dog owners where very apprehensive of her. and Leia really enjoyed playing with the GSD who came with the trainer.
Even though we have had no worries with Leia, I am so glad, we did this for her.

I always say u learn something new everyday glad she enjoyed the classes

Damo74 wrote:One of the best things about it though was having the best behaved dog there, especially as a couple of dog owners where very apprehensive of her. and Leia really enjoyed playing with the GSD who came with the trainer.
Even though we have had no worries with Leia, I am so glad, we did this for her.

Good girl, Leia, for showing those silly other owners that staffies are best - being apprehensive of a puppy .

Just read this post, i think it's definitely something I'm going look into, is it for any ages?

One place I spoke to, said they have a limit of 22 weeks (so about 5 - 5 and half months) for the puppy foundation, I think because at about 6-7 months hormons play a big part in behaviours, like teenagers, how old is your dog ? Im sure there would be some sort of course you could attened or even 1-1 for specific problem behaviours.

Best advice I can give is ring around the trainers in your area and see what they can offer, hope this helps

She's only 10 weeks so i wouldn't be taking her somewhere till another 4weeks? Yeah I'll have a good look locally see what i can find

You should be ok at 11 weeks, mine was allowed out a week after her second injection (first was 8 weeks, second at 10) but if thats what your vet has said then probably best to stick with that advice,

It really is good the course, as I probably said above, we had no issues training Leia, and I have been around dogs all my life, but I have learnt so much, from the course.

Sounds like things are going great