Puppy Preschool

[Peanut]

Update, puppy class #2

Peanut attended his 2nd session of puppy school on Saturday. There was about 3 additional puppies that joined the class and also a larger puppy (def grad from puppy preschool a while ago, it was atleast a 6 or 7 month old lab. The instructor said that puppy attended puppy class with only 1 other puppy and needed more socialization).

Before we stepped into class, Peanut greeted the 2 new puppies- a 4 month old lab and a grey hound in the parking lot. The 2 pups were a little frightened, but warmed up to Peanut quickly.

When we got inside the class room, the first 20 min was spent off leash. This time Jessica (the puppy that couldn’t stop barking the 1st class) was slightly quieter, but still the most active and aggressive player. I noticed that most of the larger dogs all ran another, while peanut was off to the side lines. He wasn’t hiding in the corner, but didn’t seem like he wanted to participate. Peanut stood away from the crowd and watched. Occasionally a pups would approachPeanut and he sniff them. However he did befriend quiet a few of the puppy owners!

Next was a lesson in crate training. Followed by reinforcing the previous week’s “sit” command, and teaching the new command “down”.

My concern this week is whether peanut’s interest with pups is based on personality or in his corgi blood. When peanut was outside with the other puppies, he was the first one to greet them. But inside with many puppies running around, he doesn’t seem interested. Could this be because they are herding dogs?

I also asked the instructor why does Peanut always have a play bark when to fetches a toy. She says it has a lot to do with their genes and being in the herding family. She instructed to immediately walk away when Peanut starts his play barking and hopefully he’ll get the point. Any suggestions or comments on this?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Peanut

My concern this week is whether peanut’s interest with pups is based on personality or in his corgi blood. When peanut was outside with the other puppies, he was the first one to greet them. But inside with many puppies running around, he doesn’t seem interested. Could this be because they are herding dogs?

I also asked the instructor why does Peanut always have a play bark when to fetches a toy. She says it has a lot to do with their genes and being in the herding family. She instructed to immediately walk away when Peanut starts his play barking and hopefully he’ll get the point. Any suggestions or comments on this?

IMO, he was just a bit overwhelmed. Ok one on one or with small groups, but not sure what to do with the larger more active crowd.

And no it's not connected to him being a herding dog. It's just a puppy thing, an individual development thing.

Barking while playing is also a puppy thing and not just a herding dog thing.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Peggy is spot on. Herding instincts (genes) don't account for every kind of behaviour in a Corgi. Happy and excited talking (barking) shouldn't necessarily be discouraged unless it continues on and on and on.

[MyPemCharlie]

Does that make 12-13 puppies in class? That's quite a few. Here puppy classes are limited to 6-10 puppies, depending on the trainer. Peanut may have just been intimidated by "the crowd" since he enjoyed meeting the 2 dogs outside.

In concurence with what Peggy and Michael wrote, my thought was, "What's wrong with puppy play barking?" When Charlie barks I actually say, "Speak! Speak!" Maybe I shouldn't be doing that...LOL. I figure if he knows "Speak", then I can also teach him, "No Speak!" if he's going on too long (or too loud).

Just for fun, you might print out the Volhard Puppy Personality Test. I've been "testing" Charlie once a month. His personality hasn't changed as he gets older. He tests high on Prey Drive, and middle-of-the-road on Pack Drive, and Fight-or-Flight Drive. It's kind of interesting.

I'm just really glad to hear that Jessica didn't trample Peanut this time. I was going to be very upset with your class instructor if she allowed that again.

[fogebotom]

The Volhard test is designed for puppies around 7 weeks of age, really won't do you any good to test an older puppy or keep retesting. At 7 weeks the feeling is that you are testing a clean slate and why it's so important to test at that age and not later.

I'm still very concerned about the off leash at the beginning of class with all the dogs loose. Not productive for a sensitive puppy or one who is unsure of itself. And the number of the puppies in the class? I never have more then 6, might do 8 if it's all small dogs but that's it. It's like the local gal who teaches at the community college-20-25 people in her basic obedience class! So she uses an assistant who has maybe one year of experience with just her dog.

On my soap box, but you will be spending more time correcting issues that are created by that class then actually getting a good foundation for your puppy.

Off my box,
Cindy and the crew

[Peanut]

The class had grown a substantial amount; I think there were at least 11 pups in the class! Still over half of the pups are the “big guns”.
You guys are right; maybe Peanut was a bit overwhelmed during class. I did see some improvement from his first session, hopefully it continues!

Peanut talks (barfs) loudly when we play fetch. Its fun to hear his excitement level, but when the boyfriend is sleeping in the morning or studying, he doesn’t think of it as “cute”. I’m trying to teach Peanut to “whisper” instead barking. I press my finger to my lips and say “whisper” and slowly roll to ball to play fetch. That usually works. I come to notice the noisier the ball (peanut prefers balls with bells than squeakers) the louder his barking gets. Also the higher you throw it, the noisier he gets.

Thanks everyone for your inputs, I really appreciate it!

oh, btw, the clicker really works for Peanut! Last night I was training him on “down”. Normally he’ll only do the command if I lower my hand and give him a treat. After using the clicker method, he can go “down” without the hand gesture! (but he’s still anticipating that treat!). Im impressed!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

In concurence with what Peggy and Michael wrote, my thought was, "What's wrong with puppy play barking?" When Charlie barks I actually say, "Speak! Speak!" Maybe I shouldn't be doing that...LOL. I figure if he knows "Speak", then I can also teach him, "No Speak!" if he's going on too long (or too loud).

IMO, using "quiet" would be better than "no speak". The theory is if you teach a behavior you have better control over it, but with barking, well sometimes, not so much.

If you don't mind your puppy barking then go ahead and encourgage it. But remember that others may not find it cute so he'll need to know there are times when he needs to be quiet too.

And yes, I did teach one to whisper. Blackjack liked to bark in the show ring. To the point that the judges got annoyed. Woof! ("Mom, I'm bored!"), Woof! (I want another cookie!) Woof! (Is it my turn yet?)

I would put my finger to my lips and tell him "no bark" very quietly and give him a little pop of the leash (colllar correction) and yes, he learned to "woof" very quietly or to wait and not bark.

Peggy

[fogebotom]

I have several barkers in my house-collies are the worst and I do understand why collie breeders do debarking like it's a routine procedure. I have used the word enough. With several dogs, sometimes it's hard to get all their attention, so I stomp my foot and say a loud enough. What that does is break their concentration and they usually forget what they were barking at or for.

I have one girl who barks the entire time she herds. I was told to keep her on a long line, when she barks, pull her in and stick her in a crate right away. She can't herd if she barks so to speak. Didn't work, she still barks.

If the intent is to show in the performance rings at any time(other then agility) barking is a big no no that needs to be corrected right away. Otherwise, if you can deal with it, I wouldn't worry too much about correcting it, just make sure you don't reinforce it.

Cindy and the crew

[Michael Romanos]

The worse barkers on their properties in New Zealand are German Shepherds.
Judging by the excitement some Border Collies display at agility, some would certainly be noisy at home.

[Peanut]

This weekend, Peanut made major progress!
During socialization time, Peanut played with a light brown lab puppy named Ruby. Peanut and I sit next to Ruby and her owners during every class, so Peanut is most familiar with her. During their play time, Peanut would play with Ruby against the wall. They would play wrestle, lay on each other, sniff each other, and lots of friendly play. I could tell both pup were comfortable with each other because when we pulled them apart, they immediate found one another. (We tried to pull them apart and have the 2 socialize with the other pups, which didn’t happen). So I noticed Peanut and Ruby were side by side near us. I also noticed that there were 2 dogs who loved to chase each other around the class room, and a few other puppies who randomly joined in the groups. It amazing how some puppies find a play pal and stick with them!

Last weeks class we reinforced the down (with treats in hand), and the instructor said this week to do the down motion with no treat. Also she taught loose leash walking. When the puppy tugs, immediate stop. When the puppy gives slack on the leash and follows in your direction, click and reward with treat. I think this is a great idea since Peanut is a tugger. He’ll find a leaf, bark, garbage, you name it, and he stops to sniff and check it out.

[MyPemCharlie]

Yeah for Peanut! I'm happy to hear he's making friends and starting to enjoy class!