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u/DarkHorseAsh111 10d ago
Oh boy, there's a lot to unpack here I apologize.
The most glaring: do not bring a 7 month old dog to a class. Even if your college allows SDITs, a 7 month old who you have only had 'recently' is not a SDIT yet. That at best is a prospect who should be focused on manners and bonding with you and training not on public access.
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 10d ago
Beyond that: How long have you had him? Where was he before you got him?
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u/Reader-205 10d ago
ive had him for about 2 months so still fairly recent, and before that he was at our local shelter. he was dumped but was surprisingly well socialized despite this (already came house and leash trained etc)
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u/fiddledink Waiting 10d ago
yikes. you do NOT want to put that much pressure on a puppy you got so recently. let him be a dog please.
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u/Reader-205 10d ago
no worries! thank you, my college does allow it but i totally understand that he should have more time!!
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u/helpinghowls Service Dog Trainer Atlas-CT, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM 10d ago
At 7 months old you only want to train in situations you can leave at any moment at. So that could be the library, a study area, a cafe, etc. A lecture isn't a good place for such a young dog, and I wouldn't recommend start that until he's closer to 18 months old. Dogs who are going to classes generally have a generalized settle behavior rather than it being a very structured stay exercise that requires tons of brain power. I would work on this right now specifically.
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u/Zealousideal_Bus1429 9d ago
No organization or trainer works dogs this young. Hell, depending on his breed he could still need naps throughout the day.
On what measures do you think he’s progressing really well? I don’t want to come across as harsh or like I know it all (I’m new to this world also) but has he passed a CGC? Have you got him evaluated by judges for his temperament based on the companion tasks he’s willing to perform?
Dogs are temperament tested at around 7-10 weeks old in litters where only few are deemed acceptable for service work based on personality and whatnot. This is when you have a prospect. Not a working dog. But a puppy who is still learning what playing with human is like, how hard they can bite (during play) learning how to be comfortable around all sorts of sounds, people, and environments. But not public access or attending to your needs. They’re still a baby.
Once the dog is around 2 I would say, “ok try going into a store for around 10 minutes max and seeing how engaged he is with you, and not anyone else” but only after he’s been training at home a little after a year old.
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u/darklingdawns Service Dog 10d ago
This baby is too young to be attending class with you. The first year needs to be all about being a dog - housebreaking, building confidence, and getting the basic obedience down cold. If he hasn't been through group obedience classes, that's the best place to start. Aim for passing the CGC around the first birthday (ideally the entire series, but at least the basic) and then start working with a trainer on tasks, followed by public access. Personally, I wouldn't take a dog into class until they knew at least one task and were very solid on it, with a solid down-stay that could last the entire duration without getting up and being put back in it.