Puppy classes or “parties” as they are sometimes called, are big business these days. There is a lot of money to be made easily out of new puppy owners. However, a lot are run by ill educated teachers who actually do a lot more harm than good. A class is not good just because the teacher says it is. Any classes where pups are running free and the atmosphere is one of chaos are dangerous and detrimental to the psychological well being of your pup. Pups come up in different sizes and crucially temperaments. A timid pup can be terrified by a confident one and this can be enough to ruin them for life. Trust me I know, I see these owners all the time with young dogs traumatised in puppy class. If pups are allowed to run free, do not attend that class. Mixing should be done two at a time, on lead with the skilled teacher choosing the pairs. Classes should be calm not chaotic and should be as much about you learning to be with your pup as anything else. In this part of Devon we have several of these puppy classes and they are doing your pups no good at all. I do however recommend the good ones so anyone in this part of the world in need of a good class get in touch