Puppy class

[Rcfslp]

What are everyone's thoughts on puppy classes? I do a good job of socializing her, but try to restrict her exercise due to recommendations on growing healthy joints. She's growing like a weed and I don't want her to end up hurt with over exercise. I was thinking of skipping the class and just bringing her to the dog park (small dog side for now) as soon as she gets her rabies shot in a couple of weeks. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[snowdog]

Our puppy class had nothing to do with exercise....it was all about learning to walk on leash, sit, stay and behave when other dogs are around. I highly suggest skipping the dog park and going to puppy class as soon as possible. Newfs are so big that if they aren't good at listening you can get dragged all over town....literally!

 

[cbendz]

In my case the classes were more for socialization with other puppies. One of the main benefits of those classes is that the majority of those doggies are puppies and they are learning how to socialize as well. In a dog park you can find different kind of dogs and owners; you can find from owners that wont have their dogs on a leash to dogs that are not sociable. It can be a rough experience for your puppy, if he/ she is really young.

 

[pecanpiepatti]

In my case the classes were more for socialization with other puppies. One of the main benefits of those classes is that the majority of those doggies are puppies and they are learning how to socialize as well. In a dog park you can find different kind of dogs and owners; you can find from owners that wont have their dogs on a leash to dogs that are not sociable. It can be a rough experience for your puppy, if he/ she is really young.

Ditto; puppy class was our boys' first exposure in a public setting to lots of other people and dogs (lucky for us, there were actually a couple of other giant breeds); was invaluable; was also our first exposure to clicker training. Also gets them used to going in the car, in and out of doors, etc.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I agree with all the above...Way more likely for her to get hurt at the dog park. Puppy classes will give her socialization in a controlled environment and teach her some essential manners at the same time.
I wish I had taken Gabriel to classes when he was young..Things would have been so much easier for both of us.

 

[NinaA]

I also agree with all of the above, plus keep going. Don't stop with puppy classes. Do at least two levels of obedience, and if you enjoy it go even farther, but one of the major factors in growing a great Newf is obedience.

 

[shellyk]

There are puppy classes that are really just socialization and there are puppy classes that teach a lot of the fundamentals of obedience and basic dog care. I like both. Don't be so quick to go to the dog park unless you have a good one by you. Some have responsible owners who interact with the dogs. Others not so much. A puppy often attracts a lot of unwanted attention.

We did puppy social class more like play date, puppy obedience and trips to the beach for frolicking. They do need exercise and they need to explore and be exposed to many things and places as much as they can while they are young.

 

[sendchocolate]

Poppy didn't go to puppy classes..all of the dogs were small, so I didn't sign up. But I have the dog park just around the corner from my house, and she has been going there 3-4 times a week since she was 4 months old. She loves it, everyone knows her, and it is a really great place for us. We go in the middle of the day (since I don't work outside the home I can take 45 minutes off to do that) and avoid going in the evenings and most weekends (especially holidays!) when there is a different crowd there who doesn't really watch their dogs and mostly stand around and drink beer and treat the park like their own single's bar.

I guess since we started early, most people know her and know what to expect. She is 3.5 now, and still loves the park. But it does not take the place of regular walking.