Stilton the Mighty

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
We had our first puppy class tonight - there were 4 puppies in total, and the other 3 pups were between 3 and 6 months. Stilton was incredible, but an hour was a stretch for him and frankly I found it quite a lot to manage. But I’m also massively sleep deprived so I’m finding everything a lot!
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It was really well done with lots of space, lots of time for processing and a constructive, relaxed trainer. I’m looking forward to the next one - we’ve got 5 weeks in total. This week we mainly soaked up the atmosphere, which was quite enough; we’ll see what we manage next week!
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HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Wow! I’ve never known of puppy chases so early. Amazing!! So many people are terrified of taking pups out before 16 weeks. I think Stilton will be the most bombproof pup ever!

He is gooooooorjisssss! 😍
Well it is very early, and asking a 9 week old puppy to do downs and stands is a stretch. It was just serendipity that this class was starting right now in our local hall with a trainer who sounded good, and so she is. He’ll definitely benefit from the environment as long as we’re sensitive to the timings and take it slow. After 30 minutes he was getting itchy paws but I’ve learned a lot and we’ve got some great things to start working on. And OH will be taking him next week!
 
a trainer who sounded good, and so she is.
That's great Harriet to have a suitable trainer right on your doorstep. It seems that there are many more good positive trainers available now, which is so good to see. When Cass was a pup there was no one within easy reach of this area, but in that time a really good school has set up, going fro strength to strength which is heartening.

Just curious -- has he had all his vaccinations yet?
 

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Just curious -- has he had all his vaccinations yet?
Not yet; he had his first set 9 days ago, and his next set due in 5 days. We’re splitting the second set to get them in a bit earlier. Advice has changed since we had Kipper 5 years ago, in terms of balancing risks and benefits - I suspect in light of the pandemic and all the socialization issues that many puppies have had have coming out of it, common advice is that early socialization/familiarization is a priority as long as first vaccines are done and you’re sensible with keeping them out of doggy and wild animal areas, not mixing with unvaccinated dogs etc. it’s an imperfect balance but I think we’re walking the line okay based on advice from several vets and other sources (like Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy).
 
This was the same advice we were given with Reuben , get him out amongst vaccinated dogs . He had his first jabs when we brought him home , we waited a week or so and then took him out with a friend and his vaccinated dogs . I dont particularly believe in the ` window of opportunity ` but it helps enormously if they socialise at an early age , less hang ups later in life xx
 
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