Puppy School
Our puppy training program is founded on basic canine learning theory and lots of positive reinforcement. The program focuses on building the pup-owner-vet relationship from early on to encourage desirable behaviours and a rewarding relationship.
Why puppy school?
- A good, fun way to develop important ‘dog-family’ bonds and interactions.
- Pivotal in setting up guidelines to puppy care and maintenance
- A head start in training your puppy simple commands.
- Encourages the more sought after behaviours, such as not biting, jumping or digging
- A fun way to build your puppy’s social skills, essential for a ‘well balanced dog’
Our training method
Our puppy training program is founded on basic canine learning theory and lots of positive reinforcement. The program focuses on building the pup-owner-vet relationship from early on to encourage desirable behaviours and a rewarding relationship.
Our training method is based on the Delta Canine Good Citizen program. This incorporates classical and operant conditioning techniques. Dogs are conditioned using positive rewards from verbal feedback such as “good dog”, to links with rewarding situations like a game, a play or a treat. We encourage nice, simple commands, such as ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘come’ and ‘stay’.
Course structure
- The course is run by Senior Nurse Neil Coy
- A four week course for puppies aged 8-16 weeks.
- The course runs at Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital on Saturdays between 12.30-2pm for the first two weeks then from 12.30-1.30pm for the second two weeks.
- Class size is limited to 4-6 puppies to encourage maximum participation in each class.
- Each course is to be paid in full ($250 including GST) at the time of enrolment. This is non-refundable if cancellation is less than 14 days prior to the commencement of the course.
- We recommend family involvement in dog training. Attendance by children over the age of five is encouraged. If you require any more than 2 spaces in class please notify the staff when you pay the deposit.
Puppy requirements
Each puppy is required to be:
- Healthy and vaccines up to date. We understand that puppies will be at different stages of vaccination depending on their age. However, puppies over 6 weeks of age should have received their first vaccination. Those over 12 weeks of age should have received their second vaccination and those over 16 weeks of age should have received their third & final vaccination for the year.
- Up to date on worming. Worming should be done every 2 weeks until pups are 16 weeks of age. Thereafter they should be wormed every three months.
We also recommend puppies enrolling in puppy classes are:
- Hungry. Do not feed them after breakfast on the morning of class, we provide training treats and rewards.
- On a flat collar and lead or harness .
Testimonials from previous participants
Here are what some of our previous participants have had to say about our Puppy Classes:
Course outcomes
At the end of the program the PUPPY should:
- Respond positively to its name
- Greet people politely
- Sit on cue
- Be safely handled by family members
- Come when called
- Lie down on cue
- Walk comfortably on a lead without pulling
- Be socialised with other dogs, children and adults
At the end of the program you, the OWNER should:
- Understand and be able to apply reward-based puppy training
- Be able to safely handle and groom the puppy
- Understand leadership skills and be able to apply house rules
- Be informed on toilet training
- Be informed on bite inhibition
- Understand basic health care from parasite control to nutrition, de-sexing and vaccinations
- Be able to manage problem behaviours such as jumping, biting, barking and digging.
Get in touch about puppy preschool
We have a range of dates available throughout the year.
Puppy preschool enquiry form
If you are interested in registering for our next puppy school, or would like further information on upcoming dates and sessions, then please contact us using our enquiry form.
You can also obtain further information by calling Neil Coy on Tuesday to Friday: (02) 9389 8411.