Topic: Sending puppy away for training

[Squash64]

I was talking to someone the other day who has just had a 10 week old German Shepherd.  I asked if he would be taking her to puppy classes and he said he would be sending her away for training when she was a bit older.

Am I the only person who thinks this is wrong?

I think it would make more sense to send the owner away, at least then he would know how to train his own dog. I wouldn't trust any trainer to treat my dog the way I would want it treated if I wasn't there. I took my Graham to puppy classes run by a member of the APDT and I can't recommend them highly enough. Graham is 10 years old now and I still use what I was taught when I took him.

What do you think?  Or am I being too soft?

[grannyjanny]

I think they say it's the owner that is trained not the puppy. How will the owner know what to do, give commands etc????????? Our daughter got a puppy last October & they were  trained by someone in the village. Our granddaughter aged 3 can command him & he does as she says 8). The trainer came home one day to find his 2 dogs about to tear next doors cat to shreds. With one command the cat was dropped & left shocked but uninjured. I think it's very wrong but then I see pets as part of the family. Is this perhaps a guard dog?

[star]

My dad used to send his dogs away for training as gun dogs. Probably coz he didn't have patience, or didn't know how. That was years ago.

If its just basic training then I agree the owners need the training so the dogs never need to be sent away. Its only specialist training like guide,  hearing and other service dogs that need away training  :)

[Suzanne]

My sister works for RSPCA and also does dog training classes, including puppy citizen awards and basic traiing in the evening. You are right the owners need to understand how to work with their dog to make sure it understands commands etc. rather than send it away.