They have two 5 minute off leash play sessions to break up the training - they can drink water, play, or visit and the trainer helps owner understand their puppy and the other dogs body language. What to allow, what needs attention, what signals each puppy is giving. Since most people in the City will likely bring their dogs to dog parks, I think it's useful. She splits up play pretty quickly.
Primrose Puppy Log
- Thread starter Ashley
- Start date
Beanwood
Administrator
Hmmm....I really wouldn't be keen on off lead play either. Too much can go wrong, if the trainer needs to beak up rough play... then that is already too much. I would rather pups had down time either resting in an outside soft crate, or learning calmness, settle on a mat/bed. Dog puppy language is subtle, and you don't need to watch off lead dogs play to learn about it, although granted it is useful to understand what too much play looks like.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Sounds like Primrose is doing really well @Ashley and that you are enjoying her. Good news that she now likes her crate.
I took Cassie to a class where the puppies were allowed to play before the class and it was a big mistake for us. I am not saying this to say your trainer is wrong at all Ashley as as we all know the dynamics differ so much with these things, but I am just adding to the discussion
At 7 months Cassie was big and energetic and totally confident that the world was a great place and she was frightened of nothing. She loved other dogs and the whole playing at a class simply compounded this idea and I struggled with this for a long time afterwards. I didn't have much regard for that training school and ceased going there.
That said a similar thing happened at her first group gundog training session we went too as well, and I do have very high regard for that trainer. I understand the reasons for it in this case, but still it left Cassie with the fixed idea that "this is what happens when I come here".
So I am with @Beanwood on the learning to settle in that environment, and definitely I would be wise to it with any future puppy I might have .
I took Cassie to a class where the puppies were allowed to play before the class and it was a big mistake for us. I am not saying this to say your trainer is wrong at all Ashley as as we all know the dynamics differ so much with these things, but I am just adding to the discussion
At 7 months Cassie was big and energetic and totally confident that the world was a great place and she was frightened of nothing. She loved other dogs and the whole playing at a class simply compounded this idea and I struggled with this for a long time afterwards. I didn't have much regard for that training school and ceased going there.
That said a similar thing happened at her first group gundog training session we went too as well, and I do have very high regard for that trainer. I understand the reasons for it in this case, but still it left Cassie with the fixed idea that "this is what happens when I come here".
So I am with @Beanwood on the learning to settle in that environment, and definitely I would be wise to it with any future puppy I might have .
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
I know it's a long time since I went to a puppy class but when I took Hattie there was never any off lead interaction with other puppies, they were encouraged to settle at our feet. I am now grateful for this as Hattie is considerate around all dogs and puppies. All classes and trainers have different ideas it's just choosing what's best for you and your puppy. xx
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
We all had to bring our own mat or blanket and toy. They always insisted at the beginning to relax the pups and gave us ideas and mop heads to hide snacks. We were only allowed to appear 5 mins before the lesson started for respect for other dogs and their owners. We also had no off lead interaction. It all seems so long ago! @Ashley I think Primrose is doing really very well! Do you think having big sister Quinn also helps?
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Oh yes, I remember so well now you say this, other well meaning dog owners coming over to chat whilst waiting and puppies and dogs wrapping leads and getting underfoot with me trying to be both polite and not wanting to interact at the same time . Oh the nightmare
.Only an observation on my own experience.
I appreciate everyone’s thoughts. This is one of the few positive facilities that I am comfortable with and it’s where I brought Quinn as a puppy - it is not close to us and I have been to many places with Quinn over the years and would still rather drive to this trainer for his puppy and level 1 classes. The puppies settle the majority of the class and at 17 weeks there is no longer any interaction. There are 4 dogs per class and you enter the building one at a time no more than 5 minutes before class starts and go a separate station.
Prim is 14 weeks and is huge! She’s doing really well across the board. She has been sleeping a solid 8-9 hours for awhile now and has only had one accident in over a week. She has a great drop and will release anything, even high value. This will be important because she’s already a gulper - she ate her body weight of fresh cut grass in seconds 
and we have been working on her waiting to be released before eating. She inhales food and cries with impatience so it’s a work in progress. She has to be crated or she will devour Quinn’s food and Quinn lets her take anything she wants. She is solving puzzle games at an alarming rate and eats her frozen kong faster than Quinn did at a year old.
We’ve been out in the world watching kids, dogs, cars and bikes as much as we can. With covid getting out of control here, it’s only a matter of time before we might not have the same opportunities. Stores are closed again. She has a great little personality - very excited when we get up in the morning and likes a little cuddle now.
and we have been working on her waiting to be released before eating. She inhales food and cries with impatience so it’s a work in progress. She has to be crated or she will devour Quinn’s food and Quinn lets her take anything she wants. She is solving puzzle games at an alarming rate and eats her frozen kong faster than Quinn did at a year old.We’ve been out in the world watching kids, dogs, cars and bikes as much as we can. With covid getting out of control here, it’s only a matter of time before we might not have the same opportunities. Stores are closed again. She has a great little personality - very excited when we get up in the morning and likes a little cuddle now.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Oh my word, she is gorgeous , the photo of them both together is divine 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
She is adorable.
And growing like a weed of course!
And growing like a weed of course!
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
She is just gorgeous.....and Quinn 
Beautiful girls
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
I can barely cope with the cuteness 
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
She's really quite cute! And that's coming from someone that had their favourite leggings ruined and actually screamed from the level of bite received yesterdayI can barely cope with the cuteness
- Location
- Isle of Man
Aww love the photo with the pool. The concentration.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
She is adorable. Definitely still looking like Pongo's long lost sister!
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
She is so adorable 