Navigating your first puppy class
As a new puppy parent, you will want to do all you can to give your puppy the best start in life and this usually includes taking your puppy to training classes. But once you’ve found the right classes, you still might feel somewhat unsure about going. It’s completely natural to feel a bit nervous when we’re doing something for the first time and going to your first puppy class can be a little stressful if you’re not sure what to expect.
Here is my guide to help you know what to expect in your first puppy class and how you can prepare to get the most out of the experience.
Visit without your puppy
When choosing puppy classes, you may speak to a few different trainers so that you can get a feel for which ones will be best for you. As part of your research it’s always a good idea to ask if you can go along to a class without your puppy, so that you can observe the trainer’s style, how they interact with the people and puppies and decide if these are the right classes for you. But this doesn’t necessarily have to be before you’ve selected your classes. If you have found the trainer you’d like to work with, going along to observe a class without your puppy can give you a much better idea of what to expect and will help to take the pressure off when it comes to your first puppy training class as a participant.
Some of the benefits of doing this are:
It gives you an opportunity to find the venue without worrying about your puppy being in the car for too long.
You can check out the area for parking, poo bins and a place for your puppy to go to the toilet before class.
You will get to meet the trainer and they can find out a little bit about you and your puppy to be more prepared for when you join their classes.
You will be able to see what equipment is used in the classes, such as rewards, blanket/mat, toys etc. and what other puppy parents bring with them to class.
You may even be able to pick up some training tips ahead of your own classes.
Most trainers will be happy to let you come along to observe a class, especially if you’ve already booked onto their course. However there might be limited spaces if there are others wanting to observe or if they have trainee dog trainers shadowing as well, so make sure you give the trainer as much notice as possible so that they can find you a space. If a trainer isn’t keen to let you observe, it may be worth exploring why that is and considering if they are the best option for you.
What to bring with you to class
There’s nothing worse than turning up for something and realising you don’t have the right equipment, so it helps to have an idea of what you will need in case you need to buy anything beforehand. Most trainers will provide you with a list of things to bring before your first class and this will vary between trainers depending on their venue and what they will provide for you. Here is a list of the most common things you might need for puppy classes:
Harness
Whilst puppies are learning how to walk on a loose lead there will be times when they pull, so we would always recommend puppies use a well fitting harness so that they don’t cause any damage to the delicate structures in their necks. A flat collar is usually acceptable too but a harness is often preferred.
Fixed length lead
Most puppy training classes offer a structured environment where owners are taught exercises to work on with their own dogs, so puppies will be kept on a lead for the majority of the class. A fixed length lead is much preferred to an extendable lead for this type of environment in order to avoid puppies disrupting each other or getting in a tangle.
Treats
You will need lots of treats for training your puppy during classes. As classes can be a distracting environment, with unfamiliar sounds, smells, other puppies and people the treats will need to be really high value so that the puppy is able to learn. Some things you could use are cooked chicken, hot dogs, cocktail sausages or cubes of cheese.
Treat bag
As well as bringing treats, you will need something to hold the treats that is easy to access, so that you can quickly reward your puppy for doing what you’ve asked them. Trying to hold a lead and get a bag out of your pocket each time can be a bit fiddly, so have a bag or something with easy access.
Blanket/Mat
Puppy classes are a great place to practise settling with a new puppy, especially as the trainer will be able to guide you through what to do. Some trainers will ask you to bring a mat or blanket for your puppy to settle on between exercises to give them a little rest and learn to be calm and relaxed in different environments.
Depending on what your puppy training instructor teaches during their classes, you may also need a brush, muzzle, toy or even different pieces of clothing so check with your trainer ahead of time exactly what you will need.
What to expect in the class
Most structured puppy classes will focus on teaching you how to teach your puppy various different skills. There will likely be some time where the trainer is talking to you to explain something and some times where you will be working on practical exercises with your puppy. Some classes allow some off-lead play time, but this isn’t the case for all and may depend on the size of the class, how many puppies they are and how well they get on with other dogs.
Some of the things you might learn in puppy classes could include:
Teaching your puppy to walk on a loose lead
How to train your puppy to come back when they are called
Teaching your to puppy sit, lie down and stand on cue
Useful tricks like hand touch and middle
Helping your puppy learn focus, eye contact and impulse control
How to prevent issues like resource guarding and separation anxiety
Understanding canine body language
Handling and grooming using cooperative care techniques
This is not an exhaustive list and will vary from trainer to trainer, so make sure to ask if there is something in particular you’d like to learn. The trainer may be able to adapt their classes or arrange some one to one training if they can’t include it.
I hope that’s helped you to get an idea of what to expect before going to your first puppy class. Before my puppy classes, I always send all participants a detailed list of the things they will need to bring as well as providing clear directions to the venue and what to do when they get there.
I am always happy for people to visit my classes if they are thinking about booking, so please get in touch if you would like to find out more. My next puppy classes are starting on 13th September and you can click here to book.