Puppy Preschool
Help your puppy to become a well-adjusted and happy adult
Preschool for Pups
Puppy Preschool is specifically designed behaviour and training classes for dogs between 8 – 16 weeks of age. During this important stage in your puppy’s life it is essential that he or she is exposed to a variety of experiences such as different environments, meeting lots of different people, and socialising with other dogs of all different sizes and with different behaviours.
Why Puppies Should go to School
Puppy Preschool provides an opportunity for owners to learn how to teach their puppies to be obedient and well-mannered dogs, in a safe and fun environment. Missing this window of opportunity when they’re young and adaptable, can lead to a life of anxiety, fear and aggression for some dogs.
It is a common misconception that puppies shouldn’t have any association with other dogs or people until they have had their final vaccination, but this is not correct and could cause them to miss this important socialisation step.
Course Outline
- A guide to understanding your puppy’s behaviour
- Socialisation – why socialisation is so important for your puppy’s development and how to socialise your puppy safely
- Toilet training
- Leadership skills – Ways of helping you build great leadership to shape a well-rounded, confident puppy
- Nutritional advice
- Grooming – Brushing, bathing, nail clipping. When to start and what needs to be done for each individual puppy
- Preventative medicine – Information of all products available for parasite control
Our Puppy Preschool is held here at the hospital, which is cleaned twice-daily with specifically designed disinfectants that kill infectious diseases.
Our Preschool Teachers
Our preschool instructors are qualified Veterinary Nurses, who have also completed additional dog behaviour training. Our classes are run in a relaxed and controlled environment.
During “play time” all puppies are monitored closely by the instructors to pick up and prevent any negative play before it happens. Our puppy preschool teachers use positive reinforcement for all of our training. Puppies need to learn social skills, basic commands and house manners, as a priority over learning tricks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Puppy Preschool classes held?
Classes are held on our premises at Sylvania Veterinary Hospital, 335 Princes Highway Sylvania.
When are classes held?
Classes are held between 7:30-8:30pm on a Tuesday or Thursday evening. The course consists of four classes which are held over four weeks.
How old should my puppy be?
Puppies should be between 8 and 16 weeks of age and have had their first vaccination. This is the optimal time for training and ensures all puppies in the class are socialised in a fun and safe environment which is appropriate for their age and size. If your puppy is older than 16-weeks, then please contact us for our recommendations on alternative training.
What do I need to bring to class?
Please bring a lead to class, your puppy should also be suitably fitted with a collar, and a towel or mat for your puppy to sit on. If your puppy was not vaccinated at a Sylvania Veterinary Hospital, please bring your puppy’s current vaccination record.
Should I feed my puppy before class?
Preferably not. Puppies like to sleep after a meal and they are less responsive to treats which are used as a form of positive reinforcement during class.
Prices and How to Book
How much does Puppy Preschool cost?
The four-week course is also a great way for both you and your puppy to become acquainted with our team. The cost of the course is $160.
How do I book my puppy into a class?
Please call our team on 9522 7088 who will book you into the next available class. Alternatively, you can book at reception or complete the following online enrolment form.