Come Play With Us!
Southampton Pet Hospital Puppy Socialization Class Outline
Why bother with puppy classes? Besides having loads of fun with your new puppy, there is lots you and your puppy can take away from these sessions. Puppies experience a very important period of their social development between 2 and 6 months of age. During this period, they are learning how to interact with other people and other dogs. This period also happens to line up right with when you are introducing your new puppy to your home; which makes it the perfect time to begin socialization and training! Dr. Charron has developed the class curriculum on the most current recommended techniques of leading veterinary behaviour experts such as Dr. Ian Dunbar. The focus of the classes will be on socialization and basic obedience training; even if these are things you and your puppy have begun learning together, practising in a new location with distractions are all part of the learning goals! Each class starts out with a short lesson outline, videos and demonstrations, and then you and your puppy get to practice with lots of individualized attention from the instructors.
Registration: at Southampton Pet Hospital
- $120 for 6 sessions
- Proof of 2 DHPP vaccinations is required
- Puppies should be between 3 to 6 months of age (exceptions can be made so please ask!)
Classes will run on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 pm starting January 30thrunning through to March 6th
Due to staffing and scheduling, missed classes will not be made up
Southampton Pet Hospital will be providing scoopies and nylon slip leashes for the class. Classes will be taking place both indoors and outdoors so dress appropriately.
What to bring:
- Your dog’s regular buckle collar
- Non-retractable nylon leash
- Do not feed your dog dinner before hand – bring it to class to use as treats
- Treats (small portions) in an easily accessible pocket or fanny pack
- One or more of puppy’s favourite toy
- With the exception of the week 6 puppy party, children under the age of 12 are asked to stay at home
- 1 or more adults are encouraged to bring the puppy to each class
Outline:
Week 1 – Intro
- introduction to training basics
- introduction to other class members
- handling basics
- introduction to sit
- getting puppy’s attention
Week 2 – Building on the basics
- continued handling experiences
- continued sit
- getting/keeping attention/’look at me’
- leash walking
Week 3 – Pop Quiz!
- continued leash walking
- recall from longer distances
- introduction to down
- ‘pass the puppy’ socialization time
Week 4 – Stranger/danger
- Continue with sit – down – stay
- Continue with recalls
- Leash walking
- Introduction to new people/dogs
Week 5 – Putting it all together
- Loose leash walking
- Further recalls
- Sit – down – stay longer durations/ with distractions
Week 6 – Puppy Party!!
- Graduation ceremony
- Show off all our hard work to each other!
Attached are Dr. Ian Dunbar’s ‘Before and After You Get Your Puppy’. These are great references and free for you to download and read.
