Puppy Preschool in Five Dock

Why is puppy preschool important?

Believe it or not, dogs are socially sensitive animals, and many experiences they have early in life can affect them for the rest of their lives, well into their older years. All too often a new puppy doesn't receive the correct training or conditioning when they are young, which can lead to problems in adult dogs. Dogs with behavioural problems can develop anxiety, which can lead to excessive barking, destruction of property and even aggression towards people or other dogs.

The best possible benefit your puppy will gain from puppy preschool is socialising skills. Dogs learn from each other how to behave, and it is up to us to give them as many chances as possible to learn how to get along with others, including humans. By introducing your puppy to new experiences while they are in the "sensitive period" of their development, you are helping them to grow into a calm and well behaved adult dog.

What will my puppy learn at puppy preschool?

Our course runs over four weekly classes and most of our training is reward based. Throughout the course we cover:

• Socialisation with other puppies and people
• Basic obedience
• Toilet training
• Managing biting, chewing, digging, barking and jumping up
• First aid for your dog
• Nutrition and feeding your puppy
• Health care, including vaccinations, worming and flea prevention
• Your legal responsibilities as a dog owner

If you are having trouble with any part of training your puppy, or you have questions during or after the course, please don't hesitate to ask Sabrina for help. We are here to help life with your new friend go as smoothly as possible! After puppy preschool has finished, it is up to you to keep up with further training and positive reinforcement at home.

What age should my puppy start puppy school?

Ideally, your puppy should be aged between 6 and 16 weeks when they start. Older puppies may be included at the instructor's discretion, depending on their size and temperament.

Can my puppy go to puppy school before finishing their vaccinations?

Yes. Many people are worried about mixing their puppy with other dogs before they have completed their full vaccination course. We recommend that your puppy has had at least one vaccination before starting the course, and you will need to complete the full vaccination course for your puppy to be fully protected.

It is easy to imagine perfectly healthy yet socially unacceptable dogs roaming our streets, so we need to compromise. All puppies have a full health check with their vaccination, and it is fine to mix them with other vaccinated puppies. This way we are protecting their health while giving them the best start for their social development.

No puppy that is unwell or currently undergoing medical treatment can join the class, and if your puppy becomes sick or injured during the course it may be necessary to withdraw them from the program.

What do I need to bring to puppy preschool?

A suitably sized harness and lead. Choker chains and retractable leads are not suitable for puppy training.

Your puppy's vaccination history. If your puppy was vaccinated at Five Dock Vet, we will already have this on file.

We also recommend that your puppy is up to date with flea prevention and has been wormed for intestinal worms, so please ask us if you are unsure. We also ask that you don't feed or exercise your puppy before class.

Can the whole family come to puppy school?

We ask that one member of the family attends with your puppy, and whoever comes along must be over 18 years of age.

Puppy preschool course details

Instructor:

Sabrina Smith, veterinary nurse

Length:

4 weekly classes of about 1 hour each

When:

Wednesday nights at 7:30pm sharp

Where:

Five Dock Veterinary Hospital, 10 Ramsay Road, Five Dock

Cost:

$170 for the 4 week course (non refundable)

Includes:

treats, handouts, a graduation certificate with photo, goodies to take home, and lots of fun and laughs guaranteed!

Before your first class you will need to fill out a registration form and pay for the course in full.

Register your interest

To register your interest please fill out the form below and we will get back to you shortly. If you have any questions please call us on (02) 9713 7364 or email info@fivedockvet.com.au.