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A. Our puppy play school is intended for puppies between nine and sixteen weeks at the start
of their course. We find the best time to start classes is generally nine weeks old, but puppies must have had at least one
vaccination before coming to classes. Prospective customers are advised to speak to their veterinary surgeon about the earliest
time their puppy can start classes, as different vets can have different vaccination programs.
A. The major aim of our puppy classes is to enable correct socializing of your puppy with both
people and other dogs. This includes being handled by lots of different people, and the puppy learning the best way to approach
people, i.e. not jumping-up. Puppies also learn how to greet other dogs in a friendly but calm manner and to pay attention
to their owners when asked.
Classes also cover sit & down, stays, coming to call, food snatching and play biting.
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A. Free play, off lead, is generally not part of the course, as we have found that this can often
cause puppies to become over-boisterous and larger puppies can learn to bully the smaller puppies. Also during free play small
and timid puppies can become more frightened of other dogs. We do however run regular outdoor play and training sessions every
few weeks where carefully matched groups of puppies get to play together. These sessions also include very small-scale agility,
carefully controlled to protect the puppy and intended to broaden the puppy's horizons and improve their coordination. They
also have a lot of fun! For information see our page on agility. |
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A. Puppy play school is an essential part of a puppy's socializing. The earlier a puppy attends
classes the easier they settle into a learning environment. Early attendance at classes can greatly reduce the chance of behavioural
problems occurring in the dog in later life. A nine-week-old puppy is also able to learn things such as sit, down, stay and
come far quicker than a boisterous adolescent or adult dog. |
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A. Owing to the importance of early socializing we run a rolling course with new puppies starting
almost every week. We try to keep waiting times to a minimum, but during busy times there may be a wait of several weeks,
so it is advisable to provisionally book as early as possible. Classes are as small as reasonably possible with approximately eight
puppies at any time. |
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