How do puppy classes work?
Puppy classes are run as a 4 week course in Daylesford on Thursday evenings (unless otherwise listed) at 6:00pm. Each session lasts 50 minutes. We are slightly different from most puppy schools in that the first session does not involve puppies! During Week 1 we will meet online via Zoom for an 'introduction to puppyhood' session. This live and interactive online session has received great feedback and allows us to deep dive into information that will help you to understand your puppy on a whole different level. It also means you can focus without distractions and that you know exactly what to expect when you come to class in person.
Weeks 2-4 will be run in person at a bespoke puppy-friendly studio in Daylesford.
I'm very aware that bringing a puppy into your life can be a rollercoaster of emotions and expectations. Puppies have an enormous capacity to learn and become wonderful adult dogs, provided we support them and get them off to a good start. During the 4 week course you will learn about:
Puppy development
How puppies develop and what you can expect as they grow
Socialisation
Socialisation and how you can build good social skills without overwhelming your puppy
Home alone
Managing your home environment, with a particular focus on preventing separation anxiety
Troubleshooting
Dealing with common issues such as housetraining, biting and chewing
Communication
How dogs communicate and how you can understand what your puppy is trying to tell you
Life skills
Essential skills such as road safety, recall and walking well on lead
How many puppies will be in class?
Puppy classes are kept small with 4-6 puppies per course. This is to ensure that puppies don't become overwhelmed or frightened which can be a risk in large class settings. It also means you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
What will my puppy learn?
My focus is on life skills rather than traditional obedience so you won't be learning a large number of tricks or be asking your puppy to sit 20 times per class. We will cover things such as recall, road safety, waiting before rushing out of the door or car, polite greeting behaviour, leaving items on the ground, loose lead walking and being comfortable with formal handling. We'll also focus on enrichment, developing good social skills and dog body language. You'll hopefully come away with a much better sense of what your puppy is trying to tell you.
How old should my puppy be to attend class? What if they aren't through their vaccination period?
Puppies can attend class if they are 8-16 weeks of age. The venue is thoroughly cleaned before and after class and is not used by other dogs, so your puppy will be as safe as possible while going through their vaccinations. Socialisation is absolutely vital to healthy development so puppy classes provide a safe opportunity for interactions with other puppies and people.
Where are classes held?
Classes are held in a bespoke puppy friendly studio at Mistover, a scenic property in Daylesford. Once all puppies are vaccinated we will also be able to access the grounds of the property to work on outside skills and play some fun games.
How much does it cost and how can I book?
A 4 week puppy course costs $150 and include 1 x online session and 3 x in-person sessions. All upcoming courses are listed below and can be booked via the register button.
Want to learn even more about your puppy or unable to attend classes in person? Take a look at Puppies Unleashed - a self-paced online course designed for busy puppy parents