Puppy playgroup

I've just booked Violet in for a puppy playgroup class! Has anyone else been to anything like this with their pup - what should expect?

I took Dempsey to our vet's puppy group for a couple of weeks, and he enjoyed it.

It really helps your dog to become more social (as long as it's properly run!).

what kinds of things do they do there? I've never heard of it, the main reason I did puppy school was for socialisation!

In the one I went to they taught you how to get some basic obedience going (ok, I already knew that, but it was nice for Dempsey!) and how to check them over for possible problems - ears, paws, genitals etc. They were also introduced to 'controlled' play & encouraged to play nicely. If the play got out of hand, you were told how to stop it.

I've been told to bring some soft treats, so I expect she'll be learning some basic things. I'm more interested in getting her around other dogs, but anything she learns will be a bonus!

I guess my pup school was more like a playgroup too! unfortunately only other pups there were scared of Russell

Aw, no! I'm worried about how the other pups will react to Violet too - she'd be more suited to wildebeest playgroup than puppy playgroup

don't worry I'm sure she'll be fine. It was only because the other pups at mine were shih-tzus and west highland terrier type dogs, not used to the strength and engergy of a staffy, if you get a good variety of breeds you should be alright
good luck!

Never went to one but love the idea. I believe all puppies need to be socailized as early and as often as possible.

We took Jimi to puppy class, his last was yesterday. It was basic obedience and dog care aswell as socialising them. Jimi was great with the other dogs, just a bit to boisterous for the smaller pups so he played with an Amstaff twice his size lol.

The problem we had with Jimi was he wouldn't stay still, he wanted to meet all owners and pups and wouldn't sit still lol.

I took Roxy to puppy school and she loved it.
To start they spoke about various items regarding puppy care / health / behaviours etc...... then the pups all got a chance to play together, then onot basic training (while on leash) such as sit / drop / stay / come. At the end of the night was another chance for the pups to play.
Great for socialising the little ones, while giving them a chance to learn

Enjoy

Summerisle wrote:We took Jimi to puppy class, his last was yesterday. It was basic obedience and dog care aswell as socialising them. Jimi was great with the other dogs, just a bit to boisterous for the smaller pups so he played with an Amstaff twice his size lol.

The problem we had with Jimi was he wouldn't stay still, he wanted to meet all owners and pups and wouldn't sit still lol.

Before we take Suki somewhere we know she will be excited we take her for a walk beforehand to get some of her energy out so she will be more docile and well behaved. They have alot of energy though > Works well for the vets or any other stressfull or stimulating situation.

jstaff wrote:

Summerisle wrote:We took Jimi to puppy class, his last was yesterday. It was basic obedience and dog care aswell as socialising them. Jimi was great with the other dogs, just a bit to boisterous for the smaller pups so he played with an Amstaff twice his size lol.

The problem we had with Jimi was he wouldn't stay still, he wanted to meet all owners and pups and wouldn't sit still lol.

Before we take Suki somewhere we know she will be excited we take her for a walk beforehand to get some of her energy out so she will be more docile and well behaved. They have alot of energy though > Works well for the vets or any other stressfull or stimulating situation.

We did that with Jimi, not walking him as he's not allowed out for a few weeks but my girlfriend would take him in the backyard and play with him to wear him out.... It didn't work

Yeah they have sooooooooooooo much energy but we are stuborn and still try.

I went to one at our vets for couple of weeks, as Harvey was very shy of other dogs when he was younger, it didn't take long for him to come out of his shell and now has no problems with them

axl has his 1st puppy class on tuesday really looking foward to it

Report back with how he gets on! I'm really excited to get Violet to playgroup, but the first date they had a space on is the 17th of August

Loopy wrote:I took Roxy to puppy school and she loved it.
To start they spoke about various items regarding puppy care / health / behaviours etc...... then the pups all got a chance to play together, then onot basic training (while on leash) such as sit / drop / stay / come. At the end of the night was another chance for the pups to play.
Great for socialising the little ones, while giving them a chance to learn

Enjoy

Yes Winston's puppy pre school sounded alot like the the classes that Loopy took Roxy too. At the end of each night all the puppies were off their lead and playing.. it was great to watch. The instructor threw liver treats all over the floor, and I was impressed how Winston barged and pushed his way through all the puppies to eat as many as he could !! hahahaha Like he had never been fed!
It is a wonderful idea.. socialisation is such a big thing especially with these breeds !!

The 3 other pups that went as well... Winston's new chums!!



There are all 4 puppies here doing some serious play fighting!! hahah




And at the end of it got a certificate for Winston's scrapbook, and a folder with all sorts of puppy info in it. I suppose all classes are different...

So, today is little Violets first day of school. She's only met two pups her own age before (a greyhound and a boxer) but she was fine with them, so I hope this goes well. I am well prepared with a tonne of paper napkins and wipes though, as there is no doubt in my mind that she might get 'peepee excited' 3 hours to go...

I am sure you and Violet will have great fun !!

You will have to let us all know how it went.. what you did.. what other puppies were there.. etc etc...!!

Enjoy !!

Should be fun!!

So how did it go...............................

I've never been so mentally drained in all my life! She didn't do a thing she was supposed to do, she 'swam' across the floor, then she took umbrage at a labradors tail The trainer even asked in all seriousness if she had been out of the house before and about 5 times really stressed that we would have a lot of work on our hands. Worst part is, I thought we were doing ok with her, she knows sit, lie down, wait, leave it etc &she is absolutely fine with other dogs in the park, but it turns out, she is a wildchild Oh, and as soon as we left, she was being an angel again.

Sorry

I guess puppy classes aren't for everyone, but the simple interaction is fantastic, even if it wasn't quite what was expecteded/hoped for!

Go again though, as long as her training with you is fine then hay?!??! It's a play group and thats really important, and with time she will learn

I think it was definitely different from what I had expected. There was actually really little interaction with other dogs - us and another set of people with their pup were kept aside, but I think that may have just been because we were both new (or we both had wild dogs!). We'll keep taking her back, especially as they put on an obstacle course at the end of each month, and I think she'll like that since she likes to hop and climb so much when she's out and about

Go for it, Staffs love agility there is a certain 'Woody' here that is doing great.

Never done a class, but would love too, lets see how she goes on her second

aww the excitement must have been too much for her.

the first time at puppy class when the pups were let of their leash Winston just ran over and bowled all the other pups over. They stood up, he mowed them down again! By the end of the night though they were all playing.. phew !!

So, successfully completed is pushing it, but she did show up!

I took both mine to puppy classes my girl holly loved it she was so quick to learn and loved the interaction it was a peasure to go
My boy well a nightmare if im being honest hes very dominant so you can imagine

The one i took Samson too was in a big warehouse everyone sat the edge and we walked the dogs round to meet people properly and then meet other dogs, then they picked dogs of similar size and temperament to free run round the warehouse, then we'd put them back on the lead and do some basic sit, stay, lay down

me and Samson both enjoyed it we continued with 3 other advanced classes

wow Violet you are a

great photo of her, with her certificate!!