* Socialization: Pups learn how to play with & relate to other animals & people, in a controlled supervised environment.
* Habituation: Pups are exposed to a variety of stimuli & environments to build confidence.
* Education of puppies: Pups learn life skills like good manners, walking on a lead, coming, sitting, etc.
* Education of owners: Owners learn to prevent & manage unacceptable behaviour such as jumping up, nipping, toilet mishaps, etc.
They also learn about general care such as grooming, diet, etc.
Age to start (IMPORTANT!):
Your puppy MUST be between 9 & 16 weeks old when starting. This is essential for socialization to be most effective.
Your puppy must also be up to date with its vaccinations. You'll be asked to fill in an enrolment form and send a copy of your pup's vaccination certificate when signing up for the course.
If your puppy is over 16 weeks old, then find a training class for older puppies at
www.AnimalBusinessNetwork.co.za/Trainers.aspx. Also your puppy must have had at least one vaccination, at least a week before its first class.
Who can come:
One or two humans (of any age) per puppy is ideal, but exceptions can be made. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Venue:
The classes are held in a secure garden (& partly in Boeier-Barque Park), Sun Valley (between Fish Hoek & Noordhoek, South Peninsula). If using What3Words app: dismissive.hedgehogs.beeping
Course fee: (since April 2022)
R800,00 per puppy for the course of 6 lessons. To confirm your space a non-refundable deposit of R300 is required.
The balance is payable in advance in cash at the puppy's first class or by EFT within a week thereafter.
Welfare-adopted puppies, students & pensioners are entitled to a discounted fee of R500,00, on request.
Pond:
Please supervise puppies around the pond. Most puppies can swim, but need to be taught where to get out.
Please ask about how to do this if you have a swimming pool or pond.
Bad weather:
Puppy classes are NEVER cancelled due to bad weather. It's a good idea for pups to get used to being out in all weather,
particularly for toilet training purposes. There is enough cover to shelter in if necessary,
but bring a raincoat for you & an extra towel for your puppy.
A WhatsApp group is used for current class communication. Please respect privacy & do not take photos or videos without the consent of puppy owners or trainers.
For class dates, photos, relevant information, videos & news go to:
Please bring the following to classes:
- Healthy puppy between 9 & 16 weeks old
- Small tasty treats for your puppy - about 50 (e.g. cold meat, cheese, dry wors, soft dog biscuits)
- Harness / Collar on your puppy (Get puppy used to it at home, if possible.)
- Lead made of soft webbing (preferably no chains or extending leads)
- Plastic bags to be used as poop scoops
- Lesson 1: Course fee balance
- Lesson 2: Dietary questions
- Lesson 3: Puppy toy
- Lesson 4: Brush or other grooming tool (if you have one)
- Lesson 5: Fancy dress (e.g. hat/mask/uniform/sporting kit)
- Lesson 6: Phone/Camera for graduation photo
If the venue or time doesn't suit you, please go to this page for a list of other puppy schools:
GENEROUSLY SPONSORED & ACCREDITED BY HILLS SCIENCE DIETS
