Our puppy classes are the perfect start for new dogs and their owners.
At Puppy school, we focus training for both you and your pup some essential concepts including:
Calmness - teaching a dog to be calm is an important foundational skill, as dogs make better choices and are more easily able to learn.
Focus - A puppy who can pay attention to their handler is able to respond to their handler rather than the environment
Self control - no chasing after cats, cars, kids on bikes. Staying on their bed happily until asked to move. No counter surfing or stealing food.
Confidence - Being happy and relaxed exploring new or novel environments.
Optimism - Seeing new things and situations as no big deal, rather than a threat (healthy socialisation).
I also incorporate basic obedience and cooperative care to make grooming and visits to the vets easier for everyone.
Why Puppy school?
To set our dogs up for a life lived well with humans, we should provide our dogs with the best training we can while they are between 8-16 weeks old and are establishing behaviours they will carry with them for life.
Will my puppy be safe, they haven’t had all of their vaccinations?
Puppy School venues are sterilised before class. This ensures your puppy is as safe as possible while its immune system is still developing and before it has finished its vaccination schedule.
Where do you run puppy school?
Puppy school classes are currently running in Kyneton.
What to bring?
To prepare, we ask that you:
Have a hungry (not starving) pup that hasn't eaten in a few hours (we will be using food and we don’t want them feeling sick from overeating)
Have a well fitting flat collar for your pup (and/or harness if using)
Have a light leash
A small bed, towel or mat
Have an ample supply of soft, easily palatable treats (poached chicken, Prime 100 or a little cheese works really well)
Have your pups favourite toy handy
Above all we ask that you are optimistic about your dog and have an open mind to try new ways of training your dog.
Take home materials
You will receive notes from your class so that you can review and practice your skills between classes.
What to expect
Puppy School is about teaching your puppy to interact with you and giving you the skills to build a lasting relationship with your pup. Puppy School is not playgroup for your pup, your pup will have a chance to play with the other pups in week four (if there is a suitable playmate in the class). If your pup is not coping with class (excessive barking etc) we will do what we can to help your pup succeed, this may include putting a visual barrier up between your pup and the others in the class. You may also attend class without your pup so that you can learn and implement that learning with your pup at home.
My pup is showing serious behavioural issues, should I book them in?
If your puppy is displaying excessive levels of barking, dog-dog aggression, biting etc they are highly likely to find puppy school overwhelming, which is not beneficial for building a foundation for great, calm behaviours. If you are unsure if puppy school is the right option for your pup please get in touch to discuss your options.
What if the class instructor is ill?
If your instructor needs to isolate due to a positive covid result or too unwell to teach in person, your class will move online (Zoom) at the same time as your regular class (assuming no serious illness). We will move back to face to face classes as soon as possible. For online classes you will need:
Access to zoom via a smart phone/tablet/computer with the camera angled so that I can see your pup.
Lots of treats (including some of your pups normal food).
Your pups bed and lead
Enough space for you pup to move away from you and come back
Upcoming Puppy School Classes.
New classes start monthly in Kyneton.
Classes for the following month are available to book at 9:30am on the 1st of the month before. E.g. February classes are available for purchase on 1st January at 9:30am.
Please make sure you select the correct class for your pups age.
Tuesday is for young pups (8-16 weeks in the first week of class).
Thursday is for older pups (17-25 weeks in the first week of class). Normally the Thursday class is for older pups.
Click on the class you would like to join below.
Make a booking now:
To make a booking today - click on the link to the class you would like to join above.
If you have any other questions, or if your pup is too old for puppy school, but you still need help with their behaviour, please do not hesitate to
Our 4-week older puppy class is the perfect start to life for your 8 -16 week old pup. Along with basic obedience, we will help your pup learn practical life skills that will make it easier for them to get along with their humans. The include skills like calmness, focus, self-control, confidence, optimism and good social behaviour.
Please note minimum participation numbers apply, if we do not have the required numbers to run you will be notified on the Friday prior to your first class and have the option of a full refund or converting your puppy school place into one 1-2-1 in home consultation (with puppy pack included).
Dates for October classes are :
7pm, Tuesday 1st October 2024
7pm, Tuesday 8th October 2024
7pm, Tuesday 15th October 2024
7pm, Tuesday 22nd October 2024