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Training classes?

Basenji Training
  • I suggest training classes for all rescues, no matter what age.
    The important thing is that the classes use positive methods and that you work with your dog with a good attitude.
    If its fun and play, you both will enjoy it.

  • I took EL D to obedience class when he was 5 years old - the instructor evaluates all potential students first (that impressed me) and she said she didn't usually take dogs that old but when she ran him through various paces she felt he would do okay (for a basenji). So I guess you'll just have to search around and interview instructors.

  • Um, sorry, I've trained dogs ages 13 and 14. Most dogs are willing to learn with positive reinforcement. So 5 is not old. Should she have evaluated first, yes, I believe so simply to know what the dog is like and how much the dog is willing to work, but I still believe any dog can be trained. But if she thinks 5 is old, she's totally wrong.

  • I agree that there is no such thing as too old to be trained. I have worked with dogs at all ages at the shelter, many with no training at all, and they all responded well to positive training.

    Here is another trainer directory, many are also on the APDT list, http://www.trulydogfriendly.com/blog/?page_id=4

    From your other post, it sounds like you may want to look for a behaviorist first, here is a link to a directory of behaviorists, http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory

  • How young is too young to train with classes? Thinking about doing this for our little Basenji.

    And there can't be an age limit, I am still trying to train my faince' on a few things and she is almost 30!

  • most puppy classes start at age 12 wks

  • I am wanting to put Kenya in training classes but my vet and the class instructor told me to wait until she has all her shots. She will get her third set Monday and then I have to wait another three weeks before she gets her last ones. At that point she will be 15-16 weeks.

  • @c-bus:

    I am wanting to put Kenya in training classes but my vet and the class instructor told me to wait until she has all her shots. She will get her third set Monday and then I have to wait another three weeks before she gets her last ones. At that point she will be 15-16 weeks.

    I think this is dependent on the preferences on the training facility or vet. The kennel club I will be taking my dog to only requires that the puppy is getting its routine shots but not necessarily completed with them. And the person teaching the class works at my vet. That being said, my breeder has mentioned that she prefers that the shots be completed first.

  • You are missing out on critical socialization if you wait that long. Most puppy kindergartens take puppies after their second set of shots. These classses have only puppies that have been vaccinated and are low risk with high gains in the socialization and experiences the puppy gains.

  • @lvoss:

    You are missing out on critical socialization if you wait that long. Most puppy kindergartens take puppies after their second set of shots. These classses have only puppies that have been vaccinated and are low risk with high gains in the socialization and experiences the puppy gains.

    I completely agree with this.

  • @Nemo:

    I think this is dependent on the preferences on the training facility or vet. The kennel club I will be taking my dog to only requires that the puppy is getting its routine shots but not necessarily completed with them. And the person teaching the class works at my vet. That being said, my breeder has mentioned that she prefers that the shots be completed first.

    I think you are waiting too long. You should have two complete sets of shots before class. Waiting till they are 15/16wks you are missing critical socialization skills. Waiting for "all the shots" is pretty much old school these days.

    My pups go out even before that to things like lure trials… you just need to be careful and not let them "get" into anything like "old poop" laying around.

  • @lvoss:

    You are missing out on critical socialization if you wait that long. Most puppy kindergartens take puppies after their second set of shots. These classses have only puppies that have been vaccinated and are low risk with high gains in the socialization and experiences the puppy gains.

    I totally agree

  • @tanza:

    I think you are waiting too long. You should have two complete sets of shots before class. Waiting till they are 15/16wks you are missing critical socialization skills. Waiting for "all the shots" is pretty much old school these days.

    My pups go out even before that to things like lure trials… you just need to be careful and not let them "get" into anything like "old poop" laying around.

    I'm planning on taking her around the time of the 2nd shots if I can. But the problem is that the next round of puppy classes doesn't start till the last week of March, which would be around 14 weeks anyway. Maybe they will let me join the last half of the previous class but I'd have to check into that.

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    @Quercus: I would probably do that. But the benefit to taking them each to class is that they learn to do the behaviors in a distracting environment. The flip side to that is how on earth would you be able to train both dogs at the same time in the class? LOL!! I was thinking that my son would come with me and train Daisy, while I train Duke. Duke is the toughest student - REALLY spastic. :eek: Everything is a distraction. Daisy is much calmer. So I should bring Duke to class and then go thru the same training exercises at home with Daisy. I agree that training in a distracting environment WITH instructor's help is best. But, yeah - I should save some $$ and only take one. Gasoline prices are killing my budget! :mad: