What is Puppy Pre-School?
Puppy preschool sets the stage for a world of learning, from manners to being comfortable around other humans and dogs. It’s important to start training your puppy while young, like human children, as dogs are most teachable while they’re little.
What Does Puppy Preschool Teach?
At the Puppy Preschool Classes, your puppy will learn:
- Good manners.
- How to settle.
- Toilet training.
- How not to be overwhelmed in a crowd.
- How to walk on a leash, sit and stop.
- How to be more comfortable with humans and other canines.
- How to amuse themselves.
- Prevent fearfulness.
- Prevent over-attachment or separation anxiety.
- It familiarises puppies with different environments and objects.
- Troubleshoot unwanted behaviour like biting, jumping or hyper-activity.
Puppy preschool training also teaches pet owners
- How puppies learn.
- How to understand dog behaviour to address their needs.
- How to prepare your puppy for handling new friends, groomers or vets.
What Is The Best Age To Start Puppy Training Classes?
The recommended Puppy Preschool Age is between 8 and 14 weeks when puppies are most receptive to learning and socialisation.
The initial three months of a puppy’s life, called the ‘critical point of socialisation,’ significantly influence their future behaviour as adult dogs. From 6 to 8 weeks old, puppies are most receptive to new experiences and stimuli as they strive to understand their surroundings.
When they reach 12 weeks old, puppies are still trainable, but their learning ability typically declines around 16 weeks.
After 16 weeks, the prime period for socialisation has closed and may become more challenging. However, there is always time to start; older puppies can still benefit from these classes.
How Much Does Puppy Preschool Cost?
If you wonder how much is puppy preschool? The puppy preschool cost can vary depending on the location and program duration. On average, in Australia, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $250 for a complete course.
Why Start Puppy Preschool Training?
Starting puppy preschool training is important for many reasons. Firstly, it allows your puppy to develop socialisation skills by interacting with other dogs and people in a controlled environment. Secondly, basic obedience training lays the foundation for good behaviour, making your puppy easier to live with.
Puppy preschool can address and manage common puppy behaviours, ensuring your pet grows into a well-adjusted, happy, and obedient adult dog. At the same time, you foster a strong bond between you and your puppy, built on trust and communication.
So, is Puppy Preschool Worth It?
Absolutely! Puppy preschool is a valuable investment in your puppy’s future and sanity as a pet owner. The benefits of a well-socialised, obedient dog far outweigh the initial cost of classes. Plus, the joy of having a well-behaved puppy is priceless.
What To Look For In A Preschool Puppy in Sydney?
- A clean, sterilised puppy preschool environment.
- A puppy preschool with a policy that every puppy enrolled must have their first vaccination shot.
- A preschool that focuses on ‘positive reinforcement’ such as treats, play, and patting over negative reinforcement.
- Consider a preschool with puppies around the same age for positive socialisation (older puppies or dogs may harm or scare younger puppies and create a more negative experience for them that can cause fear).
- Friendly and gentle puppy trainers.
Book A Visit To Your Local Vet
Before you and your puppy can start attending classes in a puppy preschool in Sydney, it is important that your puppy makes their first visit to the vet and gets their primary shot.
Our Rhodes and Wolli Creek clinics are qualified to administer all canine core and non-core vaccines. Our veterinarians help recommend to pet owners which vaccines puppies should take to protect them from the risks in the area.
We can also help you know what to expect with puppy behaviour and how to look after and maintain your puppy’s health, with or without our range of veterinary services.