You have brought home an adorable 8 week old puppy, gotten them their first vaccination and now you want to begin to train your puppy. However, your vet has told you that your puppy is not to go down to the local dog park until their vaccination series is over, which is when they are approximately 16 weeks old. So what do you do? You enrol your dog in your local puppy preschool class!
Puppy preschool are special classes for dogs aged from 8 to 16 weeks old to teach them the basics of obedience and more importantly to give them a chance to socialise with other dogs and people. The dog’s prime socialisation period occurs from 3 weeks to 14 weeks of age. Unfortunately, this is the exact time that your dog cannot socialise with other dogs as it is not fully vaccinated. Unsocialised or poorly socialised dogs can go on to develop severe behavioural problems like dog and people aggression, so it is extremely important that your puppy gets as much socialisation as possible in this crucial period.
Most vet clinics and some pet stores hold puppy preschool classes, but with so many of them out there, how do you choose the right one for you and your puppy?
1. Check to make sure that they need proof of vaccination
This is extremely important. All puppies attending class must have had at least one vaccination. Ensure that the class you are enrolling in insists on checking each puppy’s vaccination certificate. You do not want to exposure your new puppy to any potentially deadly diseases.
2. Check to see what ages of dogs they accept into the class
Puppy preschool classes are supposed to be for dogs aged between 8 to 16 weeks, however, some classes will accept dogs of any age. This is a potentially dangerous situation. It in not in your puppy’s best interest to exposure them to under-socialised adult dogs. Also, whilst there is a large range of sizes that puppies come in from the tiny Chihuahua to the giant Great Dane, there is going to be an even greater size difference between your 8 week old Shih Tzu and a 6 year old German Shepherd. This can lead to accidental injuries when the dogs mix and play with each other.
3. Ask about who will be running the class and their experience with training dogs
Some classes will be run by accredited dog trainers whilst others will be run by veterinary nurses. Stay well away from classes that are not run by the either of the two. They may be cheaper, but they are really not worth it. You are paying out good money, so get the experience and knowledge you deserve.
4. Ask what type of training methods are used
The training method used to teach your puppy good manners and basic obedience is extremely important. You need to be comfortable with the methods the trainer is using. My personal preference for training both puppies and dogs is using positive reinforcement training methods and the use of food rewards.
5. Check how the space the class is held in is cleaned
This may sound a little anal and neurotic, but for puppies who are not fully vaccinated it is extremely important that they are trained in a clean, disease free space. Check that the area is clean with bleach or a strong disinfectant just prior to the class starting. This is extremely important for classes that are held at veterinary clinics – and most vet clinics are extremely diligent about providing a safe environment for their puppy classes.
If you are happy with the responses you have received to the above questions, then enrol your puppy into the class. Remember there is no limit to how many puppy preschool classes your puppy can attend. I have known owners that have attended two to three classes simultaneously.
If you enjoy going to puppy preschool and training your puppy, the next step is dog obedience classes which accept dogs from 4 months of age upwards. An important part of having a dog that is a pleasure to be around is training and socialisation, so start them young and make training fun and you will reap the benefits.
Wow, vet clinics that hold training classes? That’s great. I think it would be rare here in the US but a good idea. I prefer my puppies to start at 12 weeks after their second puppy shot but that should put them well within that window. If more people took their pups to puppy kindergarten, there would be a lot fewer homeless dogs in the world.
Cindy – Puppy preschool classes are regularly held in vet clinics here in Australia. It is a great idea as they get the vets to come along to a session and talk all about health issues. I agree that if more people socialised their dogs from an early age and didn’t just stick them in the backyard it would reduce the amount of behavioural problems like aggression we see and we reduce the amount of dogs dumped in the pound.
Puppy preschool is so important. The dogs carry what they learn early in infancy with them throughout their adult life (just like humans).
Wish more education of the public by professionals like vet nurses and dog trainers would take place in the United States and Mexico to notify new pet owners of the importance of early schooling for dogs.