'puppy' courses start every 2 weeks

Puppies learn extremely quickly and the early weeks are the most vital learning period, not just for good communication and response between dog and owner, but also to ensure your pup can cope confidently with other dogs, so start as soon as you can, preferably at aged 8 weeks.

Pups Can Start Prior To Second Inoculation, Please Call To Discuss.

Generally puppies are 8 to 16 weeks at start but if your pup is outside the age limits, please phone, there will be a suitable class or solution

There are 2 types of puppy courses, each runs for 8 weeks.

One combines "Indoor and Outdoor" Learning, consisting of 1 hour per week indoor training and 30 minute outdoor(slightly weather dependant) socialisation/training sessions per week. A maximum of 6 dogs attend each class. Total 1.5 hours per week @ £10 per hour, cost £120

Secondly there is the "Outdoor Only" course (spring/summer/autumn), taught in a private, enclosed field. Maximum of 8 dogs attend each class, usually from 12 weeks old. Total 1 hour per week @ £10 per hour, cost £80.

There are different strengths to each course. Teaching indoors does allow for a lot more concentration, and it is much simplier to focus the pups and they learn quickly. However, one of the difficulties of teaching indoors is the dog then has to learn to 'generalise' (apply) that learning in the outside world where there are many more distractions. It's possible to argue that it is better to teach them outside from the start although, especially for inexperienced handlers, this can feel like a (big!!!) 'steep learning curve' at first. However, as with all things, it's horses for courses; what will best suit one dog/human combination, won't best suit the next. With our "Indoor and Outdoor" course, we are making the best of both worlds, but recognice it is a bigger commitment coming to 2 sessions per week and won't suit everyone.

In both courses, we start by teaching the dog:

• To think their owner is great fun and worth listening to!
• Sit, Down, Stand,
• Wait, Stay, Settle Quietly,
• Come When Called (even if another dog wants to play!),
• Walk On A Loose Lead,
• Not To Jump Up & ‘Mouth’/Bite,
• Be happy with Grooming and Handling.

And in addition we provide...

• Free play Puppy Socialisation sessions
• Information About Understanding A Puppy & Preventing Problems

Once the dog has learned the basics, we increase the level of difficulty with Increased Distractions, expect Greater Concentration and use Differing Motivators.

...followed by Advanced Puppy, an outdoor course generally for those who have recently finished puppy course, dealing with all the outside distractions.