TEACH THEM YOUNG
Puppy classes can help raise a stable family pet,
We recently welcomed a new puppy to our family. We were thinking about attending puppy classes. There are so many low cost alternatives that it seems we could get all the training information without attending classes. Is there really any benefit to classes when other options are less expensive, convenient and allow us to work in our home?
Self help, in the form of books, newspaper columns, internet resources and television programming can play a vital role giving families accessible information. Puppy classes are unique. If there is one thing that all the self help material cannot replace it is puppy socialization classes.
Assuming that a puppy class is well run, the goal is to help produce a stable family pet.
Such classes typically merge training with socialization and problem prevention. Classes are limited to young puppies. Meaning that puppies can interact with other young dogs before physical strength and jaw pressure develop. This minimizes the risk of injury.
Puppies can be allowed to interact more freely. Trainers can observe interactions and identify issues early. They can also interfere if necessary and plan for positive interactions.
Families are also receiving information on how to care for pets before problems can escalate. This mix of timely advice, real time coaching and a class of young puppies provides a unique and irreplaceable opportunity. Some people try to work around classes by attending dog parks and going for walks. No matter how good the intentions, dog parks are filled with large dogs, some of which have behaviour problems of their own.
Timid puppies can be overwhelmed. A negative experience, especially during the first few visits can permanently and negatively impact dogs.
It goes without saying that dog parks are not a place to get expert coaching. Rather, it can create a situation where new owners may obtain dubious or even harmful advice from other owners in attendance.
New research supports the idea that puppy socialization classes offer clear benefits. Research from the University of Guelph surveyed 296 dog owners, some of whom attended classes and some who did not. They found many factors that correlate to class attendance.
The research found that those families who attended classes exposed their puppies to far more dogs and people than those who did not attend. Those puppies that attended class showed fewer fear responses, especially towards noises. When it came to training, the puppies that attended class were far more likely to be trained with positive rein- forcement. Puppies that did not attend classes faced training, “techniques,” such as yelling and pinning. The research team pointed out that such strategies have been tied to an increase in aggression in dogs.
The problem with surveys is they cannot be used to establish cause. Despite the information in this survey, we cannot say that puppy classes reduce fear. It could be that people who make a significant effort to socialize puppies tend to go to classes. Regardless, the research is pretty clear that attending classes is tied to many benefits. It adds to the body of research, hearkening back to the landmark experiments by John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller clearly tell us that socialization to dogs, people and novel situations before the critical socialization period ends — around 16 weeks — matters greatly.
Matters of convenience, price and location are not benefits to young puppies. They benefit from socialization. Perhaps it turns out that the reason classes are so beneficial is because they put families into a fixed schedule where good preventative advice flows freely. There isn’t a book or online video that can give a dog these experiences.