Puppy School Classes

Over 8 weeks ago, the very first puppy class commenced. With six puppies in total, Rebecca taught each new puppy owner the basics on how to care for, teach and reward their new pup. Additionally each week saw the pups engaging in play time with other pups which helped to improve their relationships to other dogs.

Week one the puppies learning their name, recall and sitting. During this class the pups performed excellently and were very keen to be introduced to the reward based training.

In week two the puppies learnt how to drop (or lay down) and stay using hand signals. Introducing the pups to stay was a gradual process that did take more time for some pups than others but they all did get the hang of things in the end. They were also introduced to calm time on their beds and a range of different toys and puzzles which helped with mental stimulation and encouraged play and prevented unwanted behaviours.

Week three the pups were taught to go to bed when instructed by the owners. As well the owners also learnt the basics for grooming and handling the puppies. This included handling care around the eyes, ears, mouth, paws and tails. Grooming through the introduction of different brushes, bathing and the use of Aloveen conditioner. Additionally each pup got their claws trimmed by the resident groomer.

Through week four the puppies learnt how to walk on a loose lead and stopping on a lead using hand signals. Additionally puppies revised over the basics of the weeks before.

Puppies revised lead training in week five and also learnt how to leave it and look. During this week some owners were keen to get their pups to look for photos.

In week six the pups learnt shake and roll over as well as reviewing some of the previous cues learnt.

Week seven accumulated with the pups learning how to dance. As well the puppies got to participate in some fun activities: puppy push ups, the fastest to sit, lay down and stand; recall races to see who could be recalled the fastest as well as a game of musical mats to see who could return to the mat the fastest.

Finally in week eight the quickly growing pups enjoyed a revision of the course through a couple of competitive games of musical mats, puppy push ups and stays. The class ended with the pups walking up the red carpet with their owner, showing off a shake, roll over and sit, before receiving their graduation certificate and photo.

All the puppies have grown and improved so much over the 8 weeks and had lots of fun interactions and play time together; developing some beautiful friendships too. It was a wonderful experience!