Learn Why Puppy School Is Important for Your Puppy’s Development
At Asquith Veterinary Hospital, on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, our puppy school program aims to provide young dogs with a fantastic start in life. Training a young puppy is important for developing good behaviour, positive reinforcement and social confidence. Classes involve social interaction and learning within a safe, controlled and supportive environment. Call today to book a class.
Why Send My Puppy to School?
Puppy school benefits from valuable social interaction with a variety of other pups. These social classes give dogs the chance to socialise and play in a controlled and supervised environment, ensuring they learn good doggy manners and build confidence and adaptability to new dogs, people and experiences, and reduce fear-based behaviours later on. Early training also builds the foundation for positive future behaviours, including basic obedience skills for young puppies and helps to reduce common problematic behaviours.
What Happens at Puppy School?
Puppy school classes will focus on basic obedience training for puppies, teaching your dog vital commands such as sit, stay and come, through fun games and positive reinforcement. Socialisation for puppies plays a big role, and activities will include structured play with other puppies and people to help them learn appropriate behaviour towards dogs, and to build positive associations with new, unusual experiences. They will also take part in handling and examination exercises that will prepare them for future veterinary visits, grooming and veterinary checks.
Benefits Of Sending Your Puppy To School
Your puppy will generally be more obedient and easier to manage, less fearful of new situations or environments and develop better social behaviour with other dogs. Your bond with your puppy will also strengthen due to positive interactions, as will handling for veterinary visits, grooming, etc.
When And Where to Book A Puppy School Course
The best age for puppy school is 8 to 15 weeks. At this age, puppies are most responsive to puppy school, and are also usually past the initial vaccinations needed for your young dog’s safety within the class. Choosing a training group that holds classes in a supportive, educational environment or through your vet surgery is crucial to obtaining the best foundation.
Tips For Puppy School Success
Training your puppy at home to reinforce commands learned at school is very important for lasting results. Use positive reinforcement as much as possible with treats, praise and play. Most importantly, be patient; all puppies learn at different paces, and training should be an enjoyable experience.
After puppy school
Continuous practice and further classes, and advanced training courses, all reinforce the good habits established during the early weeks of their life and provide both mental stimulation and social interaction for your ever-growing dog.
A Valuable Investment
Puppy school is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your dog’s long and happy future by helping them grow into a confident, well-adjusted adult.
To find out more about puppy school benefits or to book a class at Asquith Veterinary Hospital, call us today.