Husband wants to send puppy away to obedience school- 12 week old for 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Y'all are not ready for a puppy.


Either no dog, or get an older dog that is a known entity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew someone who did this with a puppy, and it was a total failure because the family didn’t know how to reinforce the training. Have a trainer come to your house and show you how. There is no shortcut on this.

Most folks who send dogs away for training are hunters and the dogs are much older.

This. My family has raised dogs for many years and trained them (for agility competitions, it's a hobby of theirs).


You cannot substitute training at home when it comes to basic skills and obedience, and the people the dog lives with have to be able to reinforce. The dogs that are sent away for trainng are, as you pointed out, specialized hunters, sled dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, etc. for advanced skills in their sport/craft but they are older and they were usually trained AT HOME from puppyhood in obedience and the basics of their craft.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he doesn't want a dog. Why the hell are you getting a puppy if the whole family is not on board? Training a puppy is a lot of work and requires all family members to be all in.

[Anonymous]

I had a friend who did this. It was SO expensive! The dog returned trained - but then reverted to his old habits within just a few weeks. He had to basically start all over doing the training classes with the dog himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your DH is insane. We sent our puppy to a 2 week boot camp which really helped her with commands and leash walking, but she was around 8 months old at that point. I would never send a brand new puppy away from its family for 8 weeks.

+1. 8 weeks is crazy long. Sounds like your husband doesn’t really want a dog. They are work. Lots of love and fun but work. They don’t just sit around like a stuffed animal.

[Anonymous]

Both you and your dh need to go to training with the dog. Sending the puppy away will accomplish very little, except getting rid of the puppy for 8 weeks.

Have you considered adopting an older dog?

[Anonymous]

That is insane. Puppies are work, and if your family doesn’t want to put in the work, then do not have a puppy. It’s really that simple.

It sounds like you should not have a dog at all.

[Anonymous]

So you already have the puppy? Please don’t send him away for that long. It really sounds like your DH doesn’t want a dog as PPs have said. They are work and will definitely involve a lifestyle change as a new member of your family. They don’t just sit in a corner still and silent even after shipping them off to be trained. They don’t simply wait until you’re ready to give them attention and care, not should they. They demand it, and require it. If DH isn’t willing to adjust then you have made a big mistake. Do the pup a favor while it’s young and cute and find it a better home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your family has the resources for that kind of training, instead hire a personal trainer to come two or three times per week. At the end of the day, training only works if the whole family knows how to reinforce it.

+1. Half of obedience training is training you and your husband.

[Anonymous]

12 weeks is too young for board and train. You need to give him time to develop. Let him just be a puppy for a couple more months, then send him away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a friend who did this. It was SO expensive! The dog returned trained - but then reverted to his old habits within just a few weeks. He had to basically start all over doing the training classes with the dog himself.

We sent our dog to a 4 week board and train. First 2 weeks, we didn't see the dog. Second two weeks, we went to the facility and trained with the dog. We spent hours doing this. We also took the dog on a field trip by ourselves to Lowes, where we tested out her skills and our handling skills. She's been home now for two months and is doing great. It was Braveheart Kennels in Point of Rocks if anyone is looking for a trainer. Highly recommended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not let my husband dictate what is happening with any member of my family.

It’s an animal, but perhaps marriage counseling is in order.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great Op. You should do it. You definitely shouldn't be outraged. And if this compromise makes the transition of owning a dog, for your family, easier, you should do it.

[Anonymous]

How old are your children, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not let my husband dictate what is happening with any member of my family.

It’s an animal, but perhaps marriage counseling is in order.

You're right, but OP chose to marry him, so she has to make the adult decisions that are positive for everyone.