hi, well Angel (chinese crested) is now fully inoculated & can now start training !! i have a few questions for all you experts !! firstly , where do i start, puppy training classes or ringcraft or both ? what is the type of collar /lead i need ? and any other advice would be much appreciated !!
thankyou in advance
caron :)

Hi Caron,

I would do both (although I'm not sure what you mean by puppy training classes - puppy parties? - socialisation?).

As for a collar - something very, very soft - Crested can easily rub the skin on their throats if they pull away or fight their lead.  When she gets to her adult size there's some very nice jeweled all-in-one show leads you can buy :D  They're not something I'd consider for any other dog but for some reason they suit Cresteds down to the ground :D 

If I were you I'd play it by ear at the ringcraft classes and just let her watch and mix with the other dogs for the first couple of weeks.  Try not to stack her on the floor - a free standing Crested always looks much better.

HTH
Debs

Both but with the warning that the pet training people will want you to teach the sit, particularly after heelwork, so you need to not be swayed by their training, and politely insist on teaching a stand first, and to teach your puppy to stand after heelwork. Also obedience people seem to hold the lead in the hand opposite the side the dog is walking on, whereas show people hold the lead on the same side as the dog. :-)

I personally think that ringcraft is best for a very young puppy, with regards to socialisation. Training tends to be more formal, everyone moves around the room, a distance between each other and as has been mentioned dogs are taught to sit when you stop(although there's no reason why you can't instead ask for a stand).

I'd say it depends on the class but ringcraft(IME) is more relaxed and offers more opportunities for your pup to meet other dogs....while waiting for you dog to be gone over by the 'judge' or if you decide to just sit at the side, guaranteed that people will come over and say hi :D

I took Ido to ringcraft from when he was about 13 weeks but we only started 'obedience' classes in January(he was 13 months), however, sit was the first command he ever learnt at 8 weeks and the 2 are very seperate and he definatley knows the difference!

Hi Debs, ooh i like jewelled collars , Angel will be getting one of those :D . Sorry , i meant dog training classes for behaviour. etc.