A PERTH PUPPY SCHOOL WITH A DIFFERENCE

Our puppy classes cost $25 per session. The group class runs for an hour. For that you receive vital information regarding raising puppies from experts that have successfully raised hundreds of puppies into well adjusted balanced dogs. We’ll break down some common myths and explain to you why the most important thing you can teach your puppy is to be brave. We are a puppy class like no other.

Yes. You should avoid reinforcing tantrums. Firstly you must try and ensure your puppies needs are met prior to placing them in the crate. They should be tired, not hungry, not thirsty, not energetic. They should be looking for a sleep. They should also be in a comfortable area, not cold or hot. They should also be in a familiar place. Then place the puppy in the crate, leave and ignore. If you return to “save” the puppy from its whining it will quickly learn that complaining and throwing tantrums brings success. Repeated reinforcement of this mood will often create separation anxiety and other problem behaviours. Instead, ignore the whining and when the pup is quiet return and let them out. This way the pup will learn that tantrums do not work. And you will come and let them out only when they are quiet.

We accept puppies from 10 weeks of age pending them having had their second vaccination. This is to balance the risk of pathogens with the requirement for early socialisation during the pups critical period.

Yes, your pup is going through a critical period in its life and will learn what is and isn’t normal during this period. Your pup needs to learn how to play, what life is all about, to be brave, and to engage with you. This could be the most important class in your puppy’s life.

We focus on play and making your pup brave. We introduce you and your pup to training, and your pup is socialised with other pups appropriately and safely. We also lecture on how to raise your pup including dealing with problem behaviours, preventing problem behaviours, and creating desired behaviours. We teach you the importance of genetic fulfillment and show you how.

All puppies bite, especially working breeds. However, this behaviour is often inadvertently promoted through well meaning owners following advice from google dog trainers. Unfortunately advice such as turn and say ouch, ignore, and distract with food or toys will typically reinforce the undesired behaviour. We will teach you how through a combination of punishment, negative reinforcement, differential reinforcement and genetic fulfillment. Come to the class and we will show you how.

Management is key. Feed your dog? Take him out. Just played? Take him out. He just woke up? Take him out. Don’t correct harshly if he has an accident, as this will only cause fear and typically result in him hiding to evacuate. When he evacuates where you want him to reward and praise lavishly.

There are many options. Some of the best are in a crate in the laundry. Ensure you have exposed the pup to the crate for several short periods during the day first. The backyard (ensuring the area is safe), a suitable room. We recommend exposing the pup to the area they will sleep the first night in for short periods prior to that occurring. Remember, if your pup is eight weeks old you can expect them to be able to last only three to four hours maximum without needing to evacuate.

A dog that has learnt to toilet inside. We recommend against using potty matts etc. These just teach the puppy to empty inside and once learnt this can be difficult to rectify. The miniature breeds can be most difficult due to their very small bladders.

No. Puppy pads teach pups that it’s ok to pee inside. We recommend against using them at all. Instead set an alarm for every three hours and take the pup outside. The hard work in the early stages will reap large rewards later. The extra sleep you may get from using pads now will cost you dearly later.

No. Pee pads teach pups that it’s ok to pee inside. We recommend against using them at all. Instead set an alarm for every three hours and take the pup outside. The hard work in the early stages will reap large rewards later. The extra sleep you may get from using pads now will cost you dearly later.

No. Crates provide a safe place for your dog to sleep. As long as your dog receives enough play, affection, and training then a crate is a very good place for your dog to rest. In addition, if your dog attends the vet for any period of time they will be crated. It would be hugely beneficial if the dog already understood crating prior to this occurring as this would significantly reduce the amount of stress the pup faced.

As long as you have ensured the pups needs have been met then the best and most appropriate thing to do is ignore the crying. Sometimes these tantrums can be quite dramatic at first. It is important that you do not reinforce this behaviour by going to the pup as this will only intensify the behaviour and risk causing separation anxiety. Ignore, and when the pup ceases its crying you may remove it and offer it a chance to empty outside.

Yes. You should avoid reinforcing tantrums.

Yes. You should avoid reinforcing tantrums.

It can help and isn’t a bad idea. However, you need to be very careful that the pup cannot access the blanket. Some dogs will chew on and at times ingest things like this and that can cause serious problems. Placing the crate in a nice cool safe area without much background noise is probably more important.