Hi all. I’ve got a 15week lab puppy and we just had our 2nd puppy class today. Last week she was good - quiet, attentive and did all I asked. Others even commented how well behaved she was and how she gave me all her attention. However this evening at class, she was the complete opposite! She was restless, noisy totally out of character but still did as I asked. I’m feeling deflated after this evening, she didn’t make one noise last week. I can’t be cross with her as she still did her commands but unsure why she was so hyped up in between when demos were taking place and things being explained etc. I took her outside to see if she needed to toilet but she didn’t. She did start to lose a few incisors yesterday - could this be down to teething? Just after a bit of reassurance really as I don’t want to dread going to class next week. And any tips to try keep her calm at class in case we have a repeat of this behaviour next week! Thank you
When we took Luna to her first puppy class she was 14 weeks and not herself at all. She hadn't been herself that afternoon and put it down to tiredness. Roll forward two days we noticed she had broken one of her canine teeth down to the nerve. She would have been in so much paid that she couldn't think of anything else when she wasn't busy. By the sounds of it she is having bad teething pain and when she isn't being stimulated she is focused on the pain. If you can take along something frozen for her to chew on in between. We use face clothes tied in a knot soaked in water then frozen. We bought a set of 3 specifically for our pup so we know they are hers and don't wash them with any fabric softener etc. Hope this helps!
I think her first class was unusual, maybe as it was the first time she was calm as she was unfamiliar with her surroundings. I think her second class was very normal and what I would expect for the coming weeks. Typically pups don’t focus on you at that age around distractions, that’s one reason you take them to class to learn to do that around other dogs. Meg was a nightmare fidgety pants at class until she had learnt to focus quite some months later. That focus comes with maturity and training. You are super lucky if you can achieve that at 15 weeks, realistically it’s quite some months later. Stick with the classes, nightmare or not. It definitely pays off no end
We are really lucky with Luna, she was 16 weeks yesterday and always has a focus on us and what we are doing. Unfortunately we couldn't continue the classes however she has learned all the ques we have taught her so quickly - sit, paw, lie down, leave, stay. We also are able to have 'quiet time' with her so that we can check her over. My husband has done all the training and she has responded amazingly. She loves praise and will do anything for a treat or some attention
Great to hear. keep up the training as when she gets to her teenage time she may or may not get about selective with her focus
That is what is going to be the hard bit. She is still a wee monkey, only yesterday was rushed to the vet to make her throw up for eating something she shouldn't! She is lucky she is cute thats for sure!
I think the first week your puppy was so overwhelmed by new experiences she was quiet. The second week was more like my experience. I have yet to speak to anyone who enjoyed group classes but it’s something we all do as it’s cheaper than one to one and good socialisation. Think you may have to grin and bare it. Sorry
I enjoyed them once I could see progress...we went weekly for a year. Was the best time invested in her. She’s smashed her KC obedience bronze and silver on her first birthday and has never looked back since
Yes sorry that was a bit negative. I’m sure there are good classes around. I should have left after the first course and found a different one. One of the main problems was it was in a village hall and far too noisy and distracting. We did go on to do agility and scent training which were very rewarding and much more fun.
Hi just had to reply to say it's very normal. Our Isla was and still is to a degree exactly the same. She loves to train, but in between when the trainer is talking to the group and she's not working she barks continually! We got very distressed and worried in case she was ruining it for the rest of the class but our trainer and the others in the group have been really encouraging and reassured us to stay. The trainer thinks Isla is attention seeking when the focus is not on her and we are working to help with this. So you see it is perfectly normal if your pup is noisy, boisterous, unsettled and more, just try not to worry and continue with your classes. Good luck
I am sure that soon enough she will be able to get rid of this unwanted behavior the reason why you enrolled her in a puppy training class. Maybe she felt a bit overwhelmed during the said session, dogs can be moody as well. Hoping that everything will turn out fine as she continues with the class
