Puppy needs its shots before going to class

Dear Evelyn: Early doggy education is important, and the best time to start training your new puppy is when he is 7 to 10 weeks old. But your puppy and all dogs need shots to protect them from serious and often lethal diseases including distemper and parvovirus. A puppy has a limited immune system and is at higher risk for disease. The problem is that protection for puppies requires a series of shots that take about three months to complete. It is best to begin the shots when a puppy is about 6 to 8 weeks old, but a lot of puppies are a week or two older by the time they start their series.

If there are pet stores, dog trainers or people in your neighborhood who promote puppy classes, find out if they require their students to have completed their series of puppy shots before they can enroll. If they don't, don't expose your dog to the danger. If the class is for older dogs, make sure they require that all dogs are up to date on their shots and that the enrollees provide the proof. And then, there is the problem of aggressive dogs. That's another issue, but it can provide dangers as well, including serious injury if the classes do not prevent attendance by aggressive dogs.

How can you start puppy training at the ideal age of 8 to 10 weeks if you can't expose your dog to other canines? There are some options, and if you are going to get a puppy, then you have the responsibility to see that your little one gets an adequate education. Start by working with your own puppy just as you would guide and encourage a baby. There are wonderful books and videos that help you understand how to teach and communicate with your dog. By the time your puppy has completed its shots, you'll have a better relationship, and your dog will have a head start on good behavior.

Don't expect too much from group classes. A puppy class may be helpful to you and your dog. Certainly, it may help with socialization even if you don't wind up with a thoroughly trained dog. Puppy classes may help teach you how to use a leash and help your dog learn to sit. But this is not one-on-one training, and there is usually a little confusion, if not a lot. Dog owners often enjoy socializing with other dog owners, and puppies, hopefully, will have a good experience relating to other dogs.