Puppy Classes
Louie with Truly at 4 months puppy class
Once your puppy is allowed out with other dogs, he can start puppy classes in the field with puppies of his own age group. Early learning puppy classes focus on socialisation, house training, manners and problem solving along with the basic obedience exercises (e.g. sit and stay, recall and a little heelwork).
It is easy to forget how hard those first few weeks can be with house-training, needle-sharp teeth, hierarchy, separation anxiety, etc. These issues and more can be addressed once your puppy is inoculated and able to join a puppy socialisation class. Where possible we may also take the opportunity to introduce them to cows and chickens.
Louie believes that in order for the puppy to learn rapidly we need to set up each exercise carefully so that the dog can understand easily what is required and can easily succeed. With success comes reward for both puppy and handler. A seven week puppy has the ability to learn new behaviours as easily as a young adult dog but with the attention span of a gnat! Training a puppy not only needs patience but also precision timing.
Key training features include:
- Socialisation classes with other puppies of the same age
- Owner handler training; understanding how dogs learn; how to build a working relationship with your puppy to develop the training; the importance of timing and rewards, and clear signals, etc
- Gentle conditioned learning of the basic foundational commands: free running recall, sit and stay, walking to heel on and off lead, steadiness and working with distractions
- Lots of tips and advice on puppy behaviour, jumping up, sleep and down time; teething, house training, feeding, exercise etc
- Introductions to other animals
- ALSO Pre-Puppy and New-Puppy consultations for first-time owners or those who would like a refresher
