Puppy Training

Socialisation Period

The first 16 weeks of your puppy’s life is called the ‘key socialisation period’ in which they are most accepting of new experiences. 

Puppies are not born needing or wanting the love, care and affection of a human but during this developmental stage they learn to bond, love and depend on us through socialisation.  This time is the best opportunity to ensure your puppy is well socialised with your family, with other people and dogs and many different environments. Try to introduce your puppy to everything that will be a part of their everyday life, including children, babies, bikes, cars, busses, tubes, boats, cafés, pubs, grooming and vet care, cleaning their teeth, clipping their nails, sounds and all domesticated appliances.

Research has shown that the earlier you can get your puppy socialised the better, although vaccinations may delay the process as extra care is needed until a week after the final vaccinations.  However, you can take your puppy out in a puppy carrier (not on the floor) so that you minimise any risk between vaccinations and at least get them used to sounds, sights and smells (experiences outside) as soon as possible.  You can also take them to puppy classes and playgroups in between vaccinations for play and interactions with other puppies and people. At Walkies & Waggietails we ensure that all puppies have their first vaccinations with sanitation to ensure that the environment is safe for puppies from as early as 8 weeks and above.  We would recommend that you carry them to puppy school rather than walk them through the park if they have only had their first vaccines. 

It is also important to bear in mind that you socialise your puppy positively with gradual exposure and not to overwhelm them.   Remember that all exposure is not necessarily positive socialisation, and an overwhelmed puppy will build a negative association to certain experiences.  Try to keep interactions short and positive in the early weeks and give your puppy choices to approach or avoid at their own pace. 

In our Puppy school we have a big focus on behaviour as well as basic training in those early weeks.  We will help you to read your puppies body language and signals that indicate their emotions and how they are feeling.  This will help you to avoid overwhelming your puppy and ensure that the socialisation period runs smoothly and positively.   We will also help you guide your puppy through appropriate play and interactions with other dogs and people.

Providing some basic training during this early stage will also help develop good basic life skills both at home and on walks and create opportunity for connection and communication.  Training can be excellent bonding experience when done in a positive and fun way. 

 
 
 

Puppy Consultations

If you have recently brought your puppy home and need more help adjusting your puppy into their new home life then a puppy consultation may help. 

We can help you create a daily routine that suits your family lifestyle and includes toilet and crate training, socialisation to the family and guests, playing and preventing problem behaviours such as nipping, jumping up and separation anxiety.  We will also provide you with a personal written puppy training programme to help you achieve your goals and settle the puppy into their new family life with more ease.   If you have children we can also look to ensure safe interactions and games while building a positive bond between the children and their new best friend.

£140.00 for 1.5-hour consultation and written training plan.

£90  if booked with our puppy school course.

Please use the book now button to find Paula or Louise’s diary and book direct

 
 
 

Puppy Preparation

A new puppy is a very exciting time. Preparing for your new puppies’ arrival will help to ensure that everything runs smoothly from the first day you bring your puppy home.  

It’s important to think about your family routine and lifestyle and how your puppy will become a part of your life.  Just like babies, a puppy will demand a huge amount of care and time in the beginning and its worth spending some time thinking about that and making the necessary preparations and support to help you do this.

Additionally, you will want to ensure their arrival at their new home is a smooth transition to minimise any distress when away from mummy and litter on that first day.   Starting on the right foot is so important to ensure a calm and relaxed puppy that instantly bonds with their new family.

If you are a first time dog owner, or you need help we can advise you with the preparation to ensure you have all of the right equipment and set-up ready for your puppy’s arrival, a plan prepared for the first night and an early weeks puppy routine to include your crate, toilet, feeding, health, socialisation and sleeping routine.

Puppy preperation sessions are charged at £100 with written puppy programmes.

Please use the book now button to find Paula or Louise’s diary and book direct.

 
 
 

Puppy Socialisation and Training Classes

Our puppy school is not just a socialisation puppy party, but a fully comprehensive 7-week course.

It covers everything from socialisation to house training, basic manners at home and on walks, healthcare, nutrition and all the basic positions such as sit, lie-down, stay, drop, leave,  recall and reducing pulling on the lead.

We’ll help you guide your puppy through gradual positive socialisation, teaching appropriate play and meet and greet etiquette.   We will help you to read your puppy’s body language to ensure they are happy and confident and provide choices where they may feel overwhelmed and guide you through all of the different developmental stages your puppy will experience and how to respond.    We aim to provide you and your puppy with all the basic life skills they need to become a happy, calm and well-adjusted family pet.

During the course you and your puppy will learn:

  • Basic positions such as sit, lie-down, stand-up and stay.

  • How to settle and relax at home.

  • Basic food and toy manners preventing possession, including ‘leave’ and ‘off’.

  • Good ‘meet & greet’ manners that prevent jumping up and mouthing.

  • Good lead manners and loose lead walking.

  • Socialisation with people and playmates.

  • Guiding appropriate play with other dogs.

  • Toilet training.

  • Crate training.

  • Safe handling, grooming and health inspections.

  • Learning to communicate with your dog and reading their body language.

  • Health and Nutrition

  • Learn about the key 10 development stages that affect your puppies learning and behaviour

£206.00 for 7 weeks comprehensive puppy course.

Please visit the training courses page for information on location, dates and availability.