Puppy School

Puppies must be between 8 and 16 weeks old to participate in the program

Puppies must have received their first vaccination and be up to date with flea and worm treatments prior to attending classes.

The first session will be a puppy-free class to enable you to fully focus on the material being presented, without the added distraction of also caring for your puppy. It will run for approximately 75 mins and includes information on class format, health and safety, puppy health care and development, and basic learning theory. We will also set you some homework in preparation for the next class with your puppy. The subsequent four classes will be conducted with you and your puppy present.

Due to limited space in the reception area, we request that no more than two family members per puppy attend each session. We encourage the participation of children aged 8 years or older, as this allows the accompanying adult to remain focused on the puppy’s training.

One of the main aims of the class is to build your puppy’s ability to remain calm and focused on you in the presence of distractions. Short play sessions will be available at the end of each class for suitably matched puppies. These pairings will be based on your puppy’s play style and confidence level. Socialisation is still occurring in the presence of other people and dogs even in the absence of play.

Our puppy school is designed in collaboration with Rachel from Behaviour Lens, ensuring that we provide tailored practical and theoretical guidance to meet the unique needs of your puppy. Throughout the course, you will receive a variety of valuable resources to support both you and your puppy on your training and learning journey

Even with prior dog ownership, puppy school offers valuable insights into normal puppy behaviour and how to best support your puppy during this important developmental stage. The ‘sensitive period’ for socialisation occurs between 3-14 weeks of age. Experiences during this timeframe lay the foundations for your puppy’s well-being, confidence, and sociability as an adult. Our aim is to help you understand your puppy’s needs, so you are equipped to guide them in becoming a well-adjusted adult dog.

In the event you or your puppy are unwell, resources will be provided, but no refunds will be issued. We recommend that you stay at home if either you or your puppy are sick to minimise the risk of spreading illness. Please do not bring your puppy to class if they have (some symptoms include) vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing or eye discharge. If you have any concerns or are unsure please contact the clinic on (03) 332 4313 for advice.

If you’re unable to attend the course or need to cancel, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund. Unfortunately, cancellations made after this period will not be eligible for a refund.

In the unfortunate event that there are insufficient numbers for the group class we will either postpone the start date, providing that suits puppy owners who have already registered, or issue you with a full refund. Notice will be given 5 days prior to classes starting.

Veterinary clinics are something your puppy will visit for the remainder of their life, however, some dogs find visits to the vet clinic extremely stressful. Hence the importance of building positive and fun experiences in these environments.
During puppy classes we will incorporate positive reinforcements-based training with gradual exposure to equipment associated with health checks and veterinary procedures to reduce any fear or anxiety associated with these settings.