5.02 Beyond Puppy Classes

We’ve been talking a lot about puppy class lately, but the vast majority of any dog’s socialization takes place outside of classes.  It’s incredibly important that a puppy’s socialization and household manners training begins in the first few weeks of a pup’s life, and continues uninterrupted when the puppy is taken home by its new family.   Ideally, a puppy class should function as a place to check in with a professional trainer to make sure that your pup is progressing appropriately.  Of course, if a pup is has not been sufficiently socialized by the time they show up for their first puppy class, then a good trainer will recognize that and show the owners how to help the puppy catch up.  And of course a puppy class is a good place to get some socialization and practice some off-leash training.