Hello, I was talking to some people at the vet and there is a puppy obedience class that helps socialize young puppies and helps with training. I went to talk to the lady today and she said that it started in may, I was just wondering is there any other shots I should get him?
Shots he has:
Rabies
Distemper
Hepititis-CAV2
Parainfluenze
Parvovirus
Canince cough
He goes back in a month for boosters and I was just wondering if there is anything else I should get for him(because I don't want him to get sick)


Also thanks a lot to silverfoxkit, and starbuck8 who have made me relize that I cannot train the puppy on my own :) (from the posts about tosha)

Sounds like you've got it covered

Okay, and the person who will be teaching the classes said its best to use a chocker:(, he is already partially trained and I've never used a collar and a leash, let alone a chocker (unless were walking then he is always on a leash and collar)

A collar and leash should be fine... chokers just help you control the dog better as they go tight when the dog pulls. They shouldn't be used unless you know how to use them properly as they can hurt the dog.

If you HAVE to use a choker then ask the trainer to teach you how to use it properly before you start using it in training. (They have to be put on a certain way etc)
Threy are also not good for dogs with fluffy coats as they can get tangled.

Halter leads are great for dogs who pull a lot as they don't go around their throat, they sit around their muzzle and head.

Chokers are mainly used as a training aid. Bring one to class - they will show you how to use it properly. Many injuries that occur from chokers are because people do not know how to use them properly.
If you keep up with the classes, you can ditch the choker as he gets older, or even maybe after a lesson or two.

As far as vaccines go, you are good.

Tried to give you some love Shaz, but I had to spread the rep.
That Halter lead is what I have used and works great (although its called something else here) can't remember what.:confused:
One of my dogs is great, the other is so, so because my husband doesn't want to put it on her, because (I believe) he is insane.:p

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Originally Posted by Emily94

okay, and the person who will be teaching the classes said its best to use a chocker:(, he is already partially trained and i've never used a collar and a leash, let alone a chocker (unless were walking then he is always on a leash and collar)

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Don't use a choker before 4-5 months. Actually, shots or no shots, I wouldn't take a dog less than 4 months around other dogs in a class.

I know you are the dog expert Labman so I probably shouldn't disagree but we have been showing dogs for 20 years and we have always socialised and trained them in classes from earlier than 3 months without any problems.

Before this discussion goes astray, some training manuals (Koehler, AKC, etc.) do recommend socialization training starting at about 12 weeks, and obedience training can begin as soon as the animal is "Lead trained." If this trainer is teaching choke collar and leash first, then they seem to be in keeping with the manuals. We always started with leash training at about nine weeks, and with several animals in the kennel(sometimes several litters) we never had to worry about socialization, so I cannot speak to that from experience. Emily, don't go for a chain collar, nylon works better.