Puppy class is a good idea, but NOT a puppy class where he plays with other puppies! The object of puppy class is for the dog to get used to being with you around other dogs and people (that is what socializing is). The dogs do NOT play together in a well run puppy class.
I'm just going to chime in and say that it isn't the worst to have puppies play with each other (as they do in my puppy class). I don't think it's for all puppies. But it could be a fun, enriching, and positive experience for all parties and it's a great way for owners to learn about body language. I can personally agree that I the way I raise MY dogs, I don't let my puppy play with other puppies (except my friends') and prefer socializing with mature, social dogs. But in the real world, average owners are going to let their puppies run up to many more things than I did, so better that they learn. Here are some rules in my classes:
-Owners are not allowed to moderate. I moderate interactions. People learn, with their 8-16 week old puppies in my class, that growling is not a bad thing and not to punish it. They learn that not playing is a not a bad thing. I'd rather they learn it now rather these crucial facts as soon as possible, as it will affect how they treat their puppies moving forward.
-I use pens to separate puppies into appropriate play groups or play pairs. I am constantly talking about body language and good matches. Letting puppies quickly tell each other off (a growl, a quick snap) is okay and I use it as a learning moment. Puppies who are hiding and repeatedly telling other puppies to back off aren't having a good time, so I separate those puppies to help them become more confident. If a puppy is too inappropriate, or just doesn't have a good match that class, I have no problem separating that puppy and having the owner reward for calm and focus for the remainder of the class. Socialization and training are still happening! So from the get go, owners are watching how I use management tools and they are learning it's okay if their dog doesn't play with every single dog.
-IF things get too rowdy, I gently interrupt by clapping my hands to get the puppies' attentions, use a squeaky toy, or in the rare instance, a gentle collar grab to move a puppy towards the treat in my other hand. I have NEVER had an injury or hurt feelings in my class, from danes to chihuahuas. Owners learn how to calmly and effectively deescalate situations rather than go in and scold dogs. They learn that escalation isn't about aggression.
-Play time is interrupted frequently and with easy training/handling sessions. This is to give the puppies a break, bring those excitement levels down, and learn about some new topics. I encourage owners to reclaim their puppies by doing a collar grab and luring with a treat. This prevents owners from instinctively picking their puppy up for everything.
-I do not do skill training in puppy class. Owners are allowed to tell their puppies to sit, but I don't care if the puppy doesn't know a single word at this age. And if owners are insisting a sit (repeating, yanking, forcing), I will have those owners stop and reward good offered behaviors instead (99.9% of the time, the puppies end up sitting for them with this method). I prioritize socialization, bite inhibition, setting good habits, positive relationships, body language, handling, basic leash skills.
-NO puppies interact until all puppies in the room are calm and quiet. And again, we do this with 100% capturing and shaping. I don't call it that in class because the terminology isn't important at this stage. But it's amazing to get a room with 16 puppies quiet without hearing a single owner issue a 'command'. And it is totally possible. I have had barky puppies but I have never failed to have a room full of puppies, any number, calm down and be quiet. This teaches the owner the importance of rewarding good behaviors as they happen, and it helps build calmness in the face of distractions. That good behavior is also rewarded by the release, in which the puppies get to interact.
-I do emphasize the importance of socializing with well mannered adult dogs, and that puppies are not the best at teaching each other to be socially appropriate. However, it's not like they totally lack the skill either.
-I have no problems redirecting a puppy to a different class if it is too inappropriate with all the other puppies. It's very, very rare that this happens, but not all puppies are made for this environment. My Dutch certainly would have had a great time body slamming and pinning other puppies, which is why I didn't put him through my own class. But the thing is, these are pet owners who want their puppies to play with things and grow up to be companions. So I say, let them play! With rules! And learn what good interactions look like! And be okay if your puppy doesn't play!
-I can't emphasize enough how important body language is. Seeing and doing is more powerful than hearing. Which means, I'd rather run a good play group and SHOW people how to interrupt, demonstrate body language as it happens, rather than just give them a handout and tell them. They won't truly understand until they see it. Because the fact is, they WILL let their puppies do things I don't recommend (like take them to a dog park). But at the very least, maybe they will know a little more.
-Class sizes are small. 16 was... a crazy class. It went great! But the average is around 6 per class. If the class is large, I get an assistant (who is also trained to read body language and manage play groups).
-I work in a shelter. So not only do we want to make good matches, but we want to be the leading resource for adopters at the most affordable cost. We have four CPDTs on staff (proud to say it!). I do our group classes (and privates). We want to get puppies off to a good start whether they are from us or not!
-Vaccination checks and maintaining health and safety are important too. In the last... 10 year or so? (I have not worked here that long). We have NEVER had a puppy get sick from class.
And if they want skill training, more like obedience training, I encourage them to sign up for the basic obedience course. I do welcome young puppies into that class with the expectation that they won't have the same attention span. Dogs do not get to interact in that class.
