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Dear Yvette,

We have been told that puppy classes are dangerous and can harm our new dog. Is this true, and if so, why?

Sandi

There are very few absolutes in dog training. In my experience, you find general rules that come with exceptions.

Puppy classes are essential. The ultimate goal of an early program is to create a friendly, social animal. Teaching a friendly dog to sit is easy. Teaching an aggressive dog not to bite is another ballgame. Well-rounded classes focus on a number of core areas.

Problem prevention of common adult onset problems comes first. Prevention exercises reduce the risk the problems will develop. Most owners notice issues when a dog reaches adolescence. Experienced eyes see problems early.

Socialization is the second main component. Working dogs often spend their first year of life becoming well rounded and stable. Professionals hone their dog's ability to interact with other dogs. Well-socialized dogs are often called, “Bullet proof,” or “Bomb proof.” Puppy owners can take a valuable lesson from the pros.

The final area is manners. These are the exercises that make an animal a joy to live with, rather than a chore.

But like most good things in life, there is an exception to all the good stuff. Poorly run socialization programs run by inexperienced handlers can miss important warning flags.

Dogs with play skill deficits need an experienced eye. These puppies fail to learn the natural give and take of normal dog interaction. They often enjoy overly rough play. Owners may see a puppy that becomes stuck in a repetitive pattern of body slamming, biting or similar behaviours. The playmate tries to retreat or issues a warning to no avail. Even with significant canine corrections these puppies come back for more.

As the puppy matures, play with older dogs is tense and often fills with squabbling. These dogs can frighten other dogs. Your puppy becomes a dog that no one wants around.

Letting this type of puppy continue to bully in, or out, of a class situation backfires. This puppy enjoys the rough stuff. Letting a puppy with a play skill deficit run amok frightens other puppies. The problem puppy is having so much fun it gets worse as time goes on.

Experienced instructors watch for abnormalities and intervene. A quality socialization program is critical for the tough puppies and for the “normal” puppies that have to put up with the bullies. No one wants to go to class and feel their puppy is being attacked.

People run into problems when they think all classes are alike, or think that privates can act as a substitute. People can also run into problems with a “Do it yourself” approach at the dog park.

Instructors should be well educated on problem behavior through continuing education within current industry standards. New studies come out daily. Anyone can give training advice. Not everyone should. You take a chance when cousin Marty who “took a couple courses,” fixes your car. Why would you take a chance on advice from someone who “took a few courses?” when it comes to your dog? Cheap now – expensive later.

With very few exceptions, private puppy sessions are rarely advised. There is no controlled socialization. Owners never see future issues because the puppy is never put in a position to show their true colors.

Well-run puppy classes are like seatbelts. They prevent a multitude of injuries.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...

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