We're enrolling our pups in puppy school this weekend. There's two schools in the area, one is a modern training and the other is quite old fashioned i.e correction collars are mandatory - that turned me right off. I'm not a fan of correction collars at all, and then to have no say in what you use etc.

Anyway I'm excited and a bit nervous to see how they will go, just wondering what we can expect from the first lesson? They both already know sit, where working on come and stay, and HUnter knows lay, so hopefully we're off to a good start.

Ah good luck! I'll be enrolling mine on obedience soon, they know all the tricks (sit, shake, down, roll over, bow, crawl, spin, speak, sing, beg, stay) but oh my gosh 'come' is the WORST thing for them. They're like 'I hear a voice in the distance... must not be important...'

I taught Anna everything just because we don't have the money. It took a couple weeks and she knew almost all the tricks then we just repeat them and she gets better. Come has been a battle but she is finally waiting even if she can't see me anymore. She used to take off after I walked around the corner. Hahah

We just did our first week of Puppy class at PetSmart this past weekend. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed. The main reason I signed up was for early socialization with other dogs. There are only 3 in the class, including us. And one of them is a teacup something and is scared of the floor... so not a lot to gain from there.

As far as the trainer is concerned, I was happy with her. Although we already know the basic tricks that she's teaching -- the tips she gave on overall methodology was worth the time. I'm hoping to get more out of the future classes. I signed up when they had one of their $20 off coupons, so I feel like I should get my money's worth in 6 weeks.

The first class was basic intro (to the content as well as the animals). We worked on sit & (get) down -- and she offered up some suggestions for dog-specific problems that were raised in the intro: housebreaking for the teacup pup and counter-surfing for the other.

Good luck!

Thanks all. It's $10 per session and you pay each time you go, so there's no terms (which is probably a little concerning to me). We're mainly doing it for socialisation, as well as giving my husband a chance for some one on one with our respective puppy. Hunter the mal is very timid around other dogs (besides Milla) so we want to get him around other dogs. Milla is OTT around other dogs and jumps, barks, whines etc, Mills also has a habit of whining when she meets new people, other dogs etc so we would like to work on that with her.

I also didn't really care for the trainer at the class I was looking into taking Anna too. She was pretty much telling me a lot of stuff I was doing wrong when Anna was only 4 months. And I will just say at this time I was pretty overwhelmed. I can't remember if we just started having crystals in her bladder or she just got over it but I knew I was trying to do all this and prepare for school and this lady is telling me I'm pretty much doing everything wrong. The only reason I wanted the class anyways was to socialize her and I try to take her almost everywhere so in my opinion she has gotten socialized, especially since a couple who are friend's of mine in my apartment complex got a puppy.

I have worked on everything the lady told me I was doing wrong some I knew some I haven't touched on because it seemed irrelevant. I think one of the best things she taught me in our little meeting though was to hold Anna not hurting her but making her settle so I am now able to cut her nails without her squirming crazy:)

It's like $100 here for the puppy classes for one day a week for 6 weeks. Sounds like you will have fun though so good luck! Keep us updated!

I just found out there's a trainer in my area so I'm excited to get started too! Hope the rest of the classes go well!

Milla did well, Sam took Hunter so I didn't see his training. Milla learnt a sit, drop, stand combination, as well as how to take treats gently. We started to practice getting to walk gently without pulling, that one will take some time. My only concern is they didn't really seem to know anything about the breeds and kept talking about letting them off leash at the end of the sesion and I was like no sorry that's not going to happen, she also said not to use a harness as that only trains them to pull when walking. So some good things and some hmm moments.

I'd prefer to use a harness. Just in case they decide to throw a puppy fit, and slip out of their collar. I'm not taking any chances there. I don't want the collar so tight that it's choking him either.

I started off with a harness and she did fine.

i have to use a harness with Dakota, he's a ding dong and will choke himself to death no matter what type of collar i use ( prong, pinch, standard) so now we use the easy walk harness with front clasp. at least if he pulls now i can redirect him and he isn't asphixiating himself.

Just thought I'd update you all. It was the dog obediance school's christmas breakup party over the weekend and they had a whole heap of games and things to play with prizes awarded - well I'm so proud of Milla she did amazing! After just four weeks Milla took out the best dressed dog prize, fastest recal, she won the statues game (had to get her to sit, lay etc when the music stopped, last one not doing the command is out) and actually won the first prize for all dogs overall!! Hunter came third overall, they have done so well with the training it's just amazing and so great to see our efforts paying off.

There was also an agility set up as one of the events (not jumping) and they both loved it all, we even bought them a little tunnel for them to have in the back yard and will look at getting weaving sticks as well. It was a great weekend, until Milla broke my nose last night (unintentional of course!)

Whoever said huskies couldn't be trained hasn't met my Milla thats for sure! They go back to school in February, where they will be in the advcanced class.

Glad to hear they did well! Congrats to Milla!