Puppy School
Teaching dogs and families real life skills to use throughout their lifetime.
Typical dog training
Most dog training schools offer packages with a fixed number of classes and set curriculum, so if you miss a class it can be hard to catch up.
At Alfoxton Dog Centre we do things differently!
Everyone starts with a private assessment
- Single session with a trainer
- Discuss any problems
- Share your expectations & goals
- Learn about our training philosophy
Then you can come to class!
- As many classes as you like
- For as long as you want
- Join in at any time
- Train when it suits you
- Pay as you go
- Come back whenever you need more help
What you need to know
Puppies can participate in classes from 8 weeks (with proof of first vaccination) up to about 6 months of age.
Pups and families must have a private assessment first, then you and your pup can come to class.
Puppy classes may also be open to some older dogs who don’t have the maturity to cope with the adult class. This means there can be older small dogs in the class, or perhaps there is an adult who is very shy and will benefit from the chance to play with the pups.
This gives your puppy the chance to broaden his skills by mixing with many dogs of different breeds and personalities, and they get to meet many humans (and often kids).
When you and your pup are ready we will move you up to work in the more advanced class.
Our classes are a safe place for dogs to play, have fun, and learn from their mistakes.
Our puppy classes are mostly off-leash. We work with distractions and practice real life skills
So what happens in class?
Every class has the same structure:
- Socialisation
- Activities
- Troubleshooting
Classes start with closely monitored socialisation and an explanation of behaviour and appropriate play, followed by a variety of activities. We build self-confidence through games and tricks as well as basic agility. These activities are the foundations of many of the skills you will need to manage your dog at home.
You can come to class with questions and we can troubleshoot throughout the session, discussing problem behaviours with the goal of overcoming issues early, before they become habits.
Our classes are always attended by one or two mature dogs who model good social skills and moderate conflict.
Because we know every dog, we can cater activities according to the needs and skills of the dogs at each session, so every class is different.
Owners learn about dog behaviour, how to prevent problems, and how to advocate for their dog.
Goals
Early training primes a dogs brain to learn and gives it skills to use throughout its lifetime. Participating in classes like this from a young age helps puppies develop into resilient, confident, and independent dogs who can think for themselves and make good decisions.
Dogs go through many developmental changes during their first three years, and we are here to support you through it all. Your dog may be developing nicely then reach a more challenging phase. This is when you can come back and work on it in our ongoing classes.
Of course, dogs continue to learn and grow throughout their lifetime. This is why we offer Adult / Advanced classes as well as Workshops, so you and your dog can continue to be challenged and have fun together well into adulthood.
