Puppy and adolescent classes are being held at Vet HQ on Tuesdays at 7pm and run for four weeks.
The cost for puppy/adolescent class is $150 – payable to Liarne Henry our dog trainer.
Liarne’s training methods are positive reward based and fun for you and your dog. Treats will be used as lure but also faded out so you don’t need to carry treats around for the rest of your dogs life.
Please call us to find out when the next puppy class will start: 02 9326 1255
Week 1: Socialisation, toilet training, biting, getting your dog’s attention, growling
Socialisation vs. traumatisation.
One of the most important things you can do to help your pup to grow up to be a friendly and confidant dog is to socialise you new puppy. But there is a big difference between socialising your puppy and overwhelming your dog with too many stimuli causing stress and fear aggression.
Our course runs for four weeks in a safe pleasant environment to socialise your pup with people and other dogs of similar age. Throughout the entire course our trainer Liarne points out calming signals your puppy uses when meeting new dogs, teaching you the language of your dog and how to work with it.
Toilet training
When it comes to toilet training well meant advise and even information on the internet can be downright wrong and confusing. Dogs don’t read books so often don’t know that they are not supposed to soil their beds, carpets rugs and floor boards. Liarne clears up the misconceptions and myths about toilet training and helps you get your dog on the right track.
Biting
Those needle sharp puppy teeth don’t only injure skin. The destruction of your rugs and furniture, the chasing of your children, the nipping and biting at anything that moves………..How to conquer the puppy stage biting.
Getting your dog’s attention.
We often wonder why our dog looks at us when we call their name and then other times seems deaf. Puppies often don’t know how to react when you call their name or what their name actually is. How to get them to look at you and get your attention is what is covered in every class.
Growling
The most misinterpreted canine dog language. When puppies growl it is hardly aggression and it is definitely not a dog wanting to bite. What growling really means and how to handle it will be covered in this class.
Week 2: Come, sit, down, stand, handling
Come
A dog that comes when called can be let off leash and is free to roam around. The more control you have over your dog, the more freedom your dog can experience. Liarne developed her own way to get your dogs attention. With a bit of conditioning your dog will love to come back to you.
Sit
Treat on your dogs nose and off we go.
Down
A dog that lies down on command can be taken anywhere. Even people who are afraid of dogs can often be won over by a dog lying to their feet.
Stand
Vets and groomers will love you if your dog knows how to stand on command
Handling
The differences between hugging and restraint and between handling and examination. The difference depends on your puppy’s perspective. It is not sufficient that your pup merely tolerates handling; he must learn to thoroughly enjoy being handled by strangers. Veterinarians and groomers have a very hard time doing their jobs unless your dog remains relaxed and still while being examined.
Week 3: Stay, Leave it, walking nicely on leash
Stay
A dog that can stay put when you are opening the oven door or a dog that knows how to wait at the door can be taken anywhere
Leave it
Leave it doesn’t belong into puppy school but Liarne has decided to teach it never the less. It has saved so many dogs lives. Snail bait, rat bait or just awful stuff off the street can be left alone when you dog knows this command.
Walking nicely on leash
This is something dogs don’t do naturally, we have to teach them.
Week 4: question time, desexing, fleas, ticks and worms, resource guarding, jumping, begging for food
Question time:
Desexing
Is it really necessary?
Fleas ticks and worms
A subject you won’t get by once you have decided for the family pet
Resource guarding
how to make sure your dog doesn’t bite you if you ever have to take food or another prized possession away
Jumping
99% of dogs jump and well meaning people in the park often don’t help when they cuddle your dog while it is jumping up. Especially puppies get a lot of reinforcement when greeting people this way. It might not be a problem with a Chihuahua but it can cause injuries.
Begging for food
Dogs should never feel the need to follow every bite of food into our mouth with longing eyes. How to stop this behaviour before they jump up to the person next to you with a sandwich.
1. Please wear flat, closed in shoes – no thongs, sandals or open shoes. This is an Occupational Health and Safety regulation requirement and those puppy teeth can really hurt.
2. Keep your pups hungry before every class. A dog wanting a lure is easier to train than a full tummy wanting to play with the other dogs.
3. Please ensure your dog is wearing a collar or body harness (no check, choke chains please) and is on leash at all times unless instructed otherwise.
4. Do not let your puppies socialise with the other pups they meet before we start the class. A timid pup won’t cope with a boisterous pup and fear in puppies is often exhibited as aggression in adult dogs.
5. When arriving, carry your puppy in if necessary. This is a new place, new people, dogs they have never met before……… and sometimes can be stressful to young or insecure dogs.
6. The whole family including children should be involved in dog training but make sure you have an adult to monitor the children and another adult to monitor the dog. Trying to do both at the same time will guarantee stress and you not getting the most out of this class.
7. Please contact Vet Hq if your dog is unwell. Do not bring your pup to puppy class as your pup might be contagious to the other puppies.
Watch a very interesting and insightful video on effective dog training by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a well known and respected dog behaviour expert and veterinarian:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTkYvn1HjrI&NR=1&feature=fvwp
