When Should My Puppy Start Classes?
Original Post Dec 1, 2019
Dear Dog Lover,
At PumpkinPups we believe that getting your pup into an appropriate and well run class as early as 10 weeks of age is a must. Puppies have what dog professionals call a window of optimal socialization.
Depending on who you ask that socialization window opens between 3 and 5 weeks of age and closes as early at 12-14 weeks, some say as late as 16 weeks. During that time it is essential for puppies to be safely exposed to all the things we want them to be comfortable with, and accepting of, for the rest of their lives, in other words for the next 12 to 15 years.
When we talk about socialization we include:
Environmental sights, sounds, and smells and tactile experiences (grass, cement, gravel, shiny surfaces etc.)
People of all ages and colors both outside and in the home
Dogs of all ages and sizes
Car rides
Vet visits
Grooming and handling
and more
When puppies are kept isolated and/or at home during this crucial time they miss out on these vitally essential early experiences. The consequences of this deprivation of normal interaction can range from slight fearfulness of the things the pup has to see and experience everyday, to major fears that may effect your family's long term enjoyment of living with the dog for its life span.
The right puppy class should be specifically geared toward safely giving your puppy lots of safe and fun filled experiences as early as possible without compromising physical health and as importantly maximizing emotional health and resiliency. The right puppy class will also help you learn ways to continue this socialization outside the classroom without risk of compromising your puppy's health.
Characteristics of a good puppy class:
Number of puppies in each class is 6 or less
Trainer moderated play - never more two puppies at a time when play time is first introduced
Shy puppies are protected and given time to warm up - never cornered by other puppies and left to work it out on their own
Confident or pushy puppies are gently helped to learn to moderate their play and not overwhelm other pups in the class
Facility looks and smells clean and is happy to tell you how they keep their space that way
When looking for a puppy class ask lots of questions and if you don’t feel excited about the answers you get keep looking!
