malmo
09-08-2007, 12:18 AM
In preparation for bringing home a new puppy in 3 weeks (YAY!) I am shopping around for puppy preschools. I have narrowed down my selections to two different trainers, both of whom are recommended by people I trust, but whose styles are very different.
The background: I have some experience with basic training due to taking classes with my Milo 5 years ago. So, I have the basics of positive methods down, but could use a refresher with some fine tuning. I'll also add that the puppy I'm adopting is a chihuahua or chihuahua mix and is TINY. According to growth charts, she'll be between 5 and 5.5 pounds FULL GROWN. (She will likely be 2-3 pounds when I bring her home.) Most importantly, it's likely that I'll be getting the more timid pup from the litter, and so am really interested in socialization, socialization, socialization.
Trainer 1: Recommended by staff at the holistic pet food store. She offers a "puppy package" which includes 4 in-home, one-on-one training sessions that she personalizes to your needs. Then, above and beyond that, she runs a weekly puppy play group to which I'd have unlimited access until the puppy was, I think, 6 months old. My understanding of the play group is that you are not allowed to touch your own dog -- just touch the other puppies to assist in socialization with people along with socializing with dogs. Cost = $500.
Trainer 2: Recommended by a groomer friend. A more traditional "class" approach with 6 weeks of group instruction. Class covers house training, crate training, mouthing, handling, socialization, meals and hand feeding, intro to basic obedience training. There is "some" off-leash time during the class, which I assume is the socialization stuff. (This sounds really similar to what Milo and I did at PetSmart back in the day...) Cost = $125.
I have arranged to observe one of each of these classes/groups before the puppy comes home. What should I watch for, in particular? I am VERY nervous with my dogs around other dogs, due to my Maltese being attacked by a larger dog in a poorly-supervised "play group." I think my anxieties are only going to be worse with a tiny, timid baby in my charge. How can I choose the right class for us? What is the appropriate way for a group leader to supervise and/or intervene during play group? What questions should I ask? Where can I get my hands on some valium, already?
The background: I have some experience with basic training due to taking classes with my Milo 5 years ago. So, I have the basics of positive methods down, but could use a refresher with some fine tuning. I'll also add that the puppy I'm adopting is a chihuahua or chihuahua mix and is TINY. According to growth charts, she'll be between 5 and 5.5 pounds FULL GROWN. (She will likely be 2-3 pounds when I bring her home.) Most importantly, it's likely that I'll be getting the more timid pup from the litter, and so am really interested in socialization, socialization, socialization.
Trainer 1: Recommended by staff at the holistic pet food store. She offers a "puppy package" which includes 4 in-home, one-on-one training sessions that she personalizes to your needs. Then, above and beyond that, she runs a weekly puppy play group to which I'd have unlimited access until the puppy was, I think, 6 months old. My understanding of the play group is that you are not allowed to touch your own dog -- just touch the other puppies to assist in socialization with people along with socializing with dogs. Cost = $500.
Trainer 2: Recommended by a groomer friend. A more traditional "class" approach with 6 weeks of group instruction. Class covers house training, crate training, mouthing, handling, socialization, meals and hand feeding, intro to basic obedience training. There is "some" off-leash time during the class, which I assume is the socialization stuff. (This sounds really similar to what Milo and I did at PetSmart back in the day...) Cost = $125.
I have arranged to observe one of each of these classes/groups before the puppy comes home. What should I watch for, in particular? I am VERY nervous with my dogs around other dogs, due to my Maltese being attacked by a larger dog in a poorly-supervised "play group." I think my anxieties are only going to be worse with a tiny, timid baby in my charge. How can I choose the right class for us? What is the appropriate way for a group leader to supervise and/or intervene during play group? What questions should I ask? Where can I get my hands on some valium, already?