Puppy class

Katie and I took Hans to his 3rd puppy class this weekend.  Usually we go on Thursdays, but the instructor encouraged us all to take in as many classes as we could so we are going to try to go on Saturday mornings too.  This class is through PetSmart and is, well....ok.  It's an hour long class, and it seems this is the way it goes -
10-15 minutes of off leash puppy play time. 
Potty break outside
10-15 minutes practicing our 'skill' for the day - come, sit, down, etc. 
30 minutes of lecture where the instructor just tells us stories of her and her dog. 

Now during the 30 minutes of lecture....Hans is going ballistic.  He wants to play, he wants to be off-leash, he wants to go greet the other puppies.  So there is a LOT of barking from him and constant pulling and yanking to get away.  The last 2 classes I've had to get on the floor with him and literally hold him own with both arms.  It's either that, or feed him treat after treat after treat after treat after treat.....  It seems none of the other dogs are going ape-shit, however I'm not paying much attention to anything else.  It bugs me that SO much time during the class is spent sitting and listening, when the puppies would rather be doing something else.  I love the instructor, but wish that she would give me some helpful tips to keep him calm.  After class when I asked what I could do to stop the barking, she suggested a squirt bottle.  I said he doesn't bark at home - only here at puppy class and puppy play time.  Oh, then I wouldn't worry about it - try massaging him.  Ok...  She did mention that she could see in him, during play time, a very strong "herding" instinct that may be hard to break. 

After January 1st, when this class ends - we will try another puppy class at Petco - the other pet store in the area.  We go there right now for free puppy play time.  Their instructor seems a bit more gruff and "to the point" - ready with suggestions and orders before you even ask the question.  There is also a great dog school in the area that offers classes as well.