[*Nicole*]

I notice that alot of chi's are taking training classes... and I was curious as to why?

 

[Nona]

Lexi's going to "puppy partys" with her vet, which are just free classes for her to socialize and meet other puppies. It's really important to socialise your puppy otherwise he/she could grow up fearful of other humans/dogs. It's also good for the owners as we get lots of information from the vet who takes the class.

You get more serious "training" classes for basic training and obedience, or training for showing. I've been really fortunate with Lexi, she's not needed any training at all other than to walk on her lead which took less than a few days and some encouragement! But some pups have difficulties with toilet training, or walking on lead, or aggressive playing etc so these classes are meant to help with it.

I don't know anything about training classes for showing dogs, but some other members on here know a lot about them.

 

[Cooper]

Training classes are great for socialization, as Nona said. I wanted to take Cooper to training classes because I wanted to make sure I was doing things right in the home and outside since he was the first puppy I ever had in my adult life.

They're great for teaching the basic commands but you come away with more than that. You get knowledge and tips for things unrelated (or so you think) to basic training and learn another way to deal with little things that pop up from time to time.

I highly recommend them - I'm not a fan of the Petmsart classes though. I know lots of people have taken their pets but I think Cooper and I both got a lot more out of small classes, held in a room where there weren't shoppers walking around and toys to look at instead of the trainer.

 

[yellowpony02]

I'm not a fan of the Petmsart classes though. I know lots of people have taken their pets but I think Cooper and I both got a lot more out of small classes, held in a room where there weren't shoppers walking around and toys to look at instead of the trainer.

I agree with Coopers mommy. Besides the distractions I don't think it's that safe having a chihuahua there with strange big dogs. You may have a big dog in the family that is good with your chi but these other dogs could get too rough.

 

[*Andre & Paris*]

Hi I have two chi's and I was wondering if anyone knew of puppy training classes in sacramento area. if so please reply --Thank you. ---Also how can I put a picture of my little rugrats on here?? -Andre and Paris's Mom[/i]

 

[chihuahua-lady]

hiya i take my chis to a ring craft class twice a week they are show quality chis so it helps them learn the ropes my jacob is a little pro now and ruby is learning it is also a brill way to get them to socilaise so much more so when they meet new people and pets they dont freak out lol

 

[Cooper]

Hi I have two chi's and I was wondering if anyone knew of puppy training classes in sacramento area. if so please reply --Thank you. ---Also how can I put a picture of my little rugrats on here?? -Andre and Paris's Mom

Give your vet's office a ring and ask them if they can recommend any good trainers in your area. Try to get them to give you more than one so you can call and compare the styles of training before taking your dog. Here's a list of things you might want to ask when talking to a trainer or training facility:

• Are there seperate classes for big & small dogs? If not, what are the class sizes? -our class was mixed but there were only 6 dogs in it.
  
  Will the trainer be training YOU to train your dog or will the trainer be hands on? -you want a trainer that won't train your dog for you, then give him back when it's all done. You need to be trained as well on how to continue training once the class is over. If you're handed a perfectly trained dog, it will go back to it's old ways because you don't know how to manage the dog.
  
  What type of collar do they require the dogs wear during training? -the facilities Cooper has been trained at all required "no-slip" collars. Of course, you don't want to put a choke chain or shock collar on your dog.
  
  What type of reinforcement and punishment do they recommend? -obviously, if they want you to do something you don't feel comfortable doing, they're not right for you. No humane trainer will advocate punishment unless it's simple seperation from the group - kind of like a time out. A seasoned trainer will rely on positive reinforcement to "cheer" the dog on and when the dog does something "wrong," the absence of positive reinforcement will be the punishment.
  
  Do they address things other than basic commands such as potty training, dominance, etc? -those things come in handy when learning basic commands - you don't want to be in training without them.
  
  Also, ask if you can come in and view a class if you want to see the trainer in action before signing up.

I hope this little list helps you locate an experience trainer when you go looking.

 

[Scooby]

We took classes through our city.. We really liked it because it was only for puppies. It was a life saver for us because Marcus wouldn't even walk on a leash :roll:

 

[*Andre & Paris*]

Puppy Training

Thanks, If you know any good vets in this area please contact me because I have called many vets around here and I can't find any that specialize in small breeds. --And for that matter any puppy training classes for small breeds. All the vets that I have called don't know. Thanks Cooper for your reply Paris & Andre are very happy .

 

[Cooper]

Have you tried calling local shelters and rescues for the names of good vets? You may want to give that a shot... they could probably recommend some trainers as well.

Good luck!

 

[Tucker-N-Jasper]

Tucker's class at PetSmart is great. It is a brand new store and they have a training room. Yes people can look in but its walled-over and set in the corner of the store rather than a portable ring in the middle of the store like most of the other Petsmarts I've seen. Also there was a specific class for small breed pups and we are a class of 6. One other consideration I chose the evening course rather than a Saturday course, much less store traffic (we go from 7:30-8:30 on Tuesday nights). He is the smallest but the oldest in the class. The breeds in his class include a mini datschund, a Shiszu, a Bichon (on the small side), a Spitz (the youngest at 9wks but also the largest), a Jack Russell, and Tucker.

 

[Cooper]

I'm glad to hear they are doing that in the newer stores. It's better for everyone involved that way.

I stepped on a jack russell this week while I was walking through Petsmart ... he was being "trained" off leash, running around the store ... and it was quite busy! The dog was okay but I was not... you can imagine the fit I threw about having those classes in the middle of everything.

Maybe if they all start having classes away from shoppers, I can stop complaining LOL

 

[xx-nathalie-xx]

i began lessons at our house with a trainer, but quit it ,because we differed by the way we wanted the dogs to be

he gave lessons suited for a dobermann :lol:

my chi's can jump up at me when i come home :wink: and i will leave food all day when i want to ....ha !

kisses nat

 

[Cooper]

Nat, you probably know this but the food and the greeting when you return home are the quickest way to gain dominance in your household, making it easier to train.

Cooper has to sit before I'll put his food down and he has to wait until he looks me in the eye before he can eat. Of course, now he looks me in the eye the entire time because he's learned.

And when I come home, I say hello to OmaKitty while I'm putting my keys away and whatever else I have... then I walk into the living room, open the back door, ask Cooper "do you need to go out?"... I don't greet him until he comes back inside. It helps so much... now I can open the front door to guests and he doesn't go all crazy, jumping all over them.

But to each his own... we all have different ways of raising our "children" and whatever works for us is what's best for us.

 

[*Andre & Paris*]

Thanks I hadn't thought of that. But I will definitely try that. Thank you :wave:

 

[JJ Ivy's mum!]

I took Ivy to her first puppy class yesterday. It was set up by my vets, was free, and was in a confined, safe area. There were six puppies, all about the same age: a german shep, rotty, jack russell, old english sheepdog, spaniel and Ivy. I was really scared as most of the other puppies seemed enormous and didn't want to put her down at first. The people in charge really put me at ease and only dogs of similar sizes were let off the lead at the same time and only 2 or 3 at a time. There were lots of toys and a few treats scattered around which Ivy loved (she is very greedy unfortunately. She was trying to steal treats from the largest puppies!) All the puppies seemed to really enjoy it as it was great for socialising them with different sized and types of dogs and different people. The leader went through lots of basic information about training but it was mainly for socialisation. She commented on how confident and fearless Ivy is! There are two more classes with the same dogs and we get a photo of the whole class at the end!!! I'd highly recommend it