Puppy Traing Classes either Zug or Luzern

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hello

We will soon be getting a 15 week old German Shepherd puppy. He is currently in a home with his doggy parents, another dog and a couple of children. He is very sweet but gets very excitable and can be quite naughty. I want to enrol him in puppy training/play classes either in Luzern or Zug or somewhere in between. I don't mind travelling to find the right trainers. Absolutely no Cesar Milan type of trainers or ones that use pain/fear. It would be perfect if the trainers speak some English.

Any help would be appreciated to make sure that the little guy gets the right start in his new home. We don't have children or other dogs so it is going to be an adjustment for him and want to make sure that he is stays socialised with humans and other dogs of all sizes.

2
You really should do a 'Welpenförderung' class, a class specifically designed to promote age-appropriate puppy development, run by a trainer who is qualified to do so.

Be aware that not every 'Welpen Spielgruppe' is the above. There are still a few people who run puppy play groups as a free-for-all, which can do more damage than good.

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I don't know anyone in LU, but you might start by looking into the Kynologischer Verein Luzern. I see from their website that they run a Welpenförderung class, as well as adolescent classes:

https://www.kv-luzern.ch/kurse/welpenforderstunden

A colleague in Kt LU (but I think closer to the AG end) goes to Hundeschule Fee:

http://www.hundeschule-fee.ch/home/frameset.html

If you are able to travel to Zürich, the ZH Veterinäramt keeps a list of trainers who are qualified to do the Welpenförderung class within the cantonal List 1 set of obligatory classes, here:

https://veta.zh.ch/internet/gesundhe...Ort_190129.pdf

IIRC a couple of ZG dog owners have recommended training schools - I'll have a browse around and link those when I find them.

Can your breeder recommend someone?

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The good news is that most of the trainers you will meet in Switzerland espouse positive reinforcement, force-free training. The various umbrella training/sport/general canine organizations here support and promote this philosophy.

But there are still a few old school trainers around whose methods I would not allow around my dogs, so due diligence is needed. Always ask to sit in on a session without your own dog present so that you can see how the trainer interacts with the dogs and owners. Choose someone with whom you feel comfortable.

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Something to consider down the line, after your puppy is a bit more mature, is the new National Hundehalter Brevet. This is a voluntary set of courses, designed as a replacement for the now abolished SKN:

https://www.nhb-bpc.dog

In fact, if you are a first time dog owner in Switzerland, the NHB Theory course would be very valuable to you, an opportunity to learn more about the rather unique expectations and responsibilities dog owners face here.

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And I'll just hop up on my soap box for a moment:

I am a huge fan of life long learning. I look at involvement in a Hundeschule as an ongoing activity, not something to check off a to-do list. My dogs go to our Hundeschule weekly (or more) their entire lives long, from the day I adopt them through their senior years. Dog training classes run the gamut from serious to fun, there is something for everyone. Dogs need mental stimulation as much, if not more, than physical, at all stages of their lives.

As do we dog owners. Getting involved in a Hundeschule was the best thing I ever did for me .

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All the best to you and your furry friend.

3
Thank you and incredibly useful. I certainly like the idea of sitting in on a class before making any decisions and I can imagine a puppy free would be the last thing an excitable pup needs.

Puppy is coming from UK and all the links on the forum about registering your pet in Switzerland are also really useful as well. Still trying to work out the least stressful method of getting him here. Seems to be Euro tunnel and take a few days with overnight stopovers.

4

Meant to say that a puppy free for all would not be a good idea! It seems I cannot edit once I have posted!

5
Browsing through old threads, one poster (Corbets) recommended this ZG trainer:

http://www.animalsense.ch/index_en.html

Additionally, the Ennetseeklinik in Hünenberg ZG links these training schools on their website. The first 3 all seem to offer Welpenförderung classes:

http://www.ennetseeklinik.ch/de/Tierbesitzer/Links.html

And an FYI, depending on where in LU you are - the Ennetsee clinic above serves as the region's 24/7 emergency clinic. No matter who you chose for your primary vet practice, make sure you know what your emergency options are - because Murphy's Law, emergencies seem to always happen after hours, on weekends, on holidays. If you are in the general area the Ennetsee clinic serves, it might be a good idea to get to know them.

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It has been many years since the I was able to take my dogs to the UK, so my experience is long outdated. But back then driving was the only option I would consider. Suss out dog-friendly hotels or inns along the way, make frequent stops, enjoy the French countryside.

IIRC, Odile goes to the UK with her dog frequently - you might PM her for info on current routes, importation process, etc.

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One thing I will recommend when traveling (and stopping frequently) with a newly acquired young puppy: Rather than a collar attached to a lead, I'd recommend a very safe escape-proof harness. A youngster can be easily spooked, back out of a collar or a norwegian style harness, and take off. For a GSD I'd recommend something like a Ruffwear Webmaster - the double belt makes it pretty hard for even a determined/scared wriggly pup to get out of. Available all over the UK, as well as from Amazon. Ask the breeder to measure your pup and if possible, send the harness to the breeder before you pick your pup up, so that the pup can get used to wearing it.

https://ruffwear.com/collections/dog...master-harness

(Yes, your pup will soon grow out of the size you choose now, and that's a fair bit of money to invest in something temporary. But balancing the risk of the pup breaking loose, in an area where you are not resident so difficult to find - worth every penny. Besides, you can save the puppy sized harness for number two. )

And very important - put ID tags on the pup - a collar tag and one attached to the harness - before you set off. Make sure your phone number is easily readable.

Just common sense stuff, but better safe than sorry.

Gute Reise!

ETA:

Info only, as I don't know any of these trainers even tangentially, but:

The Schäferhund Club Schweiz website has a list of trainers offering Welpen/Junghund classes. If you are looking for a trainer who might be 'GSD oriented' , you could explore one of these.

https://www.schaeferhund.ch/adressen...e-welpenkurse/

6
Wow, thank you so much for all the amazing information and suggestions. I live in Weggis but, after the drive from UK, he will be used to the car and I would rather travel to find good trainers, especially if they are used to big dogs like GSD's. Once I have him safely in Switzerland I will post photos.

7
I would seriously encourage you to do an online search of hundeschule in your preferred area, see who you think might fit and send them a mail asking if you can visit and see a typical lesson before your puppy arrives. Visit and decide who fits your criteria and character best, then book your intro lesson. The trainer I think is brilliant may not be the trainer for you, you have to “click” on a personal level to get the best for you and your puppy.

When we knew we were getting ours I did this, sent 4 emails got 3 replies. One asked why would I want to visit? I immediately crossed them off my list and duly visited the other 2.

The first trained in a way I was generally happy with, behaviorally towards the dogs, but, on the day I visited it was school holidays and a family of 2 adults and 2 young children arrived with a very skittish retriever puppy. Mum took to the training field with puppy and Dad had the kids, until they got bored with Dad and ran onto the field to be with Mum and the puppy. Difficult I know for the trainer but the children should have been ordered to go back to Dad, instead they were allowed to disrupt the class, not only for Mum and puppy but for the other members of the class. I decided it was not for me.

The second had very small classes, not always on the field but out in the woods and over tracks. She spoke no English but did understand a little and had the patience to allow my poor German not to hamper our learning. If this had not worked my next port of call would have been to the school linked.

http://www.wolfsrudel.ch/index.html

My point is, in short, do your searching now, take recommendations from here but go visit yourself and find a good fit.

Good luck!

8
Another possibility, a recommendation from a colleague.

In the Bösch Areal near Hünenberg ZG there is a training ground, Böschhof, used by three training schools, Wolfsrudel (linked by Counbumpkin above), KV-Zug, and ATL. All offer Welpen and Junghund courses. about 30 minutes from Weggis.

I don't know any of these, so do take CB's post above to heart - you really have to check out any training group before you sign on the dotted line, make sure their training philosophy, methods, and style mesh with yours - and that your pup seems comfortable with them.

Here is the training ground site, with links to the three training groups.

http://www.boeschhof.ch/boeschhof/hundeweid/

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By the way, puppy photos are mandatory.

9
Thanks MC, I knew more than one school used that space but had forgotten the name of it. It is easily seen from the motorway as you drive from a Luzern to Zug,

Unfortunately here in rural France we have no such luxury. We are having to do DIY training which is proving interesting but rewarding.

Oldest is 4 today, where has the time gone? Little one 7 months and very cheeky!

10
Oh be still my beating heart!

I love the pic of your two together.

Cheeky is good in a pup.

(Remind me I said that next time our little spawn of Satan cheeky teenager has me tearing out my hair out. Which should be in about 10 minutes.)

11
I did indeed. I don’t know if she’s still in business or not, but OP, tell her Lance and Rusty sent you. She might remember.

And, because I’ll take every excuse I can to post pics of my boy, here’s Rusty enjoying his new Danish home. Or rather, the in-laws home with his brother Toby.

https://vimeo.com/315126575

12
Ooooh, Rusty is looking good!

Two red labs - double the fun! (Did I hear a third in the background?)

How is Rusty settling into Danish life?

13
Just two. The third might have been my stomach growling, as the mother in law was preparing a big æblekage (Apple pie).

Rusty is happy as a clam. Loves having a big house with an even bigger yard, so that anytime he rings his bell he can go right outside, rather than waiting for us to get dressed and take him downstairs. And with deer and foxes often in the back yard (we’re butted up against a small forest), he gets lots to growl and bark at!

We have about 4 different good-sized forests within a km or two, one of which is a dedicated dog forest (no leashes or bicyclists), so it’s pretty perfect for him. And he’s got a Labrador friend named Bella just 30m from our house and a puppy of some sort named Ludwig next door, both of whom he gets on really well with. Couldn’t have worked out better from his perspective.

Daddy, on the other hand, isn’t getting to spend much time in Denmark - as expected, my new role is taking me all over the place. But I knew it going in, and it’s the price for moving up / getting my fiancée back to her home country, and the job itself has been fairly fun for the most part. Sadly, while it’s not officially prohibited it is frowned upon to bring my dog to work (I’m thinking about doing it anyway and having my assistant walk him so I don’t have to - that saves my employer money, right? ), but the fiancée has started a new job where they will let her bring him every day, so he’s going to learn to ride in an electric cargo tricycle (designed for dogs) for an hour each day (Danes!). Should be a fun new experience for him, I’ll post a pic once I have one.

14
Hey there - I see this is already from a few weeks ago but we had some bad experiences in Switzerland with dog schools, so that I really want to respond. We really really loved our experiences with the KV-Luzern that ran their courses in the Allmend area. The team is super lovely and positive as well as competent. The grounds are well-prepared and the courses well-organised. Plenty of parking close-by as well. Highly recommend!!

15
A little bit late as I haven't had the chance to log on but thanks to Capetownian for the reply. I will look into the one you recommend. A couple that I have checked out I didn't want to go ahead with. For a GSD he is the sweetest friendliest boy but the trainers that I have spoken with see him more as a working/protection dog when he is really just a loveable family pet. I have been working with him myself and he is getting plenty of socialisation with other dogs/people. I am actually amazed at how well behaved he is both in and out the house for a 5 1/2 month old puppy