Puppy Training Classes?

My son's English bulldog puppy Louie is adorable but has some rude habits such as barking at the cats (OK, they do tease him), chewing everything in sight and, most seriously, nipping us. Can anyone recommend a good puppy training class? Should be on weekends, since my son works long hours during the week. We're in Boerum Hill, but anything reasonably close is fine as my son has a car.

Louie is 3-1/2 months old and has had all his shots.

Thanks!

Barbara at The Educated Puppy has weekend classes in the slope. That's where my dogs went.

http://www.educatedpuppy.com/

Denise at empire of the dog is great. She does puppy kindergarten classes out of eva's play pups in williamsburg. Highly recommended.

Thanks, Smokey and Lorenzo! I've e-mailed both trainers. Reading their websites, I'm wishing I got started with this sooner, but I was under the impression that I had to wait till he had completed his shots. Oh well, better late than never!

There's also a trainer who works out of Monster Mutt in your neighborhood - looks like they have a puppy class starting tomorrow. http://monstermutt.com/

I have no personal experience with the trainer or the facility, though I had some friends who used Monster Mutt for daycare and, comparing it to where I used to put my pup for daycare, it seems to be a better-run place.

Thanks, Toadette. I'll check out Monstermutt - it is fairly close to us, not walking distance for the puppy (who is not fond of walks) but closer than the other places.

Just in case anyone else is looking for puppy training, I heard back from Barbara Giella who says she is retired but gave me another recommendation for a dog trainer in PS (Dawn Prentice).

Also, I heard from Denise at Empire of the Dog in Williamsburgh. The class schedule is not great for us unfortunately but we may do individual training sessions.

Louie is too cute to have to do anything. He can pee where he wants.

I'll try to look up the name of the woman I used about 3 years ago for O. She came to the house and did the training.

Rest assured, Louie does pee wherever he wants! Last night he was barking at the cats (he just wanted to play but they don't speak Dog so they were hissing at him). He got fed up, walked out of the bedroom and peed on the hall carpet. He was definitely making a statement.

If you post a rec, I'll post a pic of Louie in a baby swing.

I need to ask???!!!! POST IT WOMAN!

Well, since you asked so nicely...





These were taken in Philadelphia last weekend. Louie had a road trip!

He looks a bit exasperated at the stupid humans, don' t you think?

He is so freakin' cute. I'm in love!

OMG! He's soooooo cute. I think he and O need a play date ASAP

Oscar would probably despise Louie because Louie ain't got no manners yet. His doggie socialization to date consists mainly of my son's girlfriend's dogs - three chow-chows who view him with jealousy and suspicion.

But maybe Oscar and Louie could bond over their adorable squashed in faces.

Wait...Oscar has no manners either. I just told him for the millionth time to get his nasty marrow bone off my damn bed. The only problem Oscar would have is playing with a dog that doesn't like to walk. I think he could convince Louie that running is FUN!!

Louie only likes to run when he's snagged a forbidden object - like a toothbrush or a cat toy. I am hopeful that he will be more athletic than the average bulldog since we live in a 3-story house and he has become quite adept at racing up and down the stairs (much to the chagrin of the cats).

Last weekend in Philly, Louie tried to race with a German Shepherd who was playing catch. Poor Louie = epic fail.

Okay, you name the park, Oscar will show up. It's a date! He loves loves loves playing with other dogs.

Any park is good - we're in Boerum Hill so we have no parks and will have to drive. Maybe next weekend in Sunset Park? Name the time and location. I will be there with Louie - I'm Louie's grandma though so my son and his girlfriend (Fio the ultimate dog expert) will be there too. I am looking forward to an Oscar/Louie encounter! I do hope that Oscar will teach Louie some doggie etiquette.

Sunset doesn't have a dog run and off leash hours are before 9 AM. Boo. I'll look around and we'll figure something out.

Prospect Park is OK too - I know nothing of leash laws and such. Oscar is of course welcome at our abode to play around with Louie in the back yard.

We're open to anything Check it out and PM me if you and Oscar are interested.

I definitely want pictures of that!

This is like a sleazy Craigslist hookup.

Auntie Flexi can come play with O and L, too!!

Dude rules your lower class dogs.

Dude is not invited to play then!

Renee at Monster Mutt is fantastic. You and your puppy will have a great time there.

We did end up enrolling Louie for puppy kindergarten at Monster Mutt. So far, he has distinguished himself by being the largest and least obedient puppy in the class. But who could resist that face?

I freakin' love that dog.

Good for Louie! Tell him to keep up the good work!

I love him too. I stayed up with him late last night b/c his deadbeat dad (my son Nick) went out to the Dram Shop for a drink or five. He cuddled up and went to sleep next to me (man, does he snore!) while the cats prowled around and ate his food. I'm home with him today and I see he likes to watch Sponge Bob. He's probably a stoner, which would explain a lot.

I do think puppy kindergarten has helped - he's not nipping nearly as much. Now if only we could solve the peeing problem...

Hey, don't slam the Dram! Too bad Louie can't go there. He'd love the burgers! His deadbeat dad can take him to Commonwealth, the Gate and Buttermilk. Puppies ALWAYS get the ladies...unfortunately, this does not work in my favor.

Puppies get the guys, too. Nick's girlfriend took Louie for a walk to the corner deli and some random guy hit on her, using the puppy as an excuse ("Your dog is cute - oh, and by the way, I'm recently divorced!" Sleazebag). I think everybody just wants to hit on Louie. Thanks for the tips on the dog-friendly establishments. I will pass them on to Nick.