It’s no secret that bringing home a new puppy is exciting. You’ll undoubtedly be ready to shower it with love and attention as you lap up those adorable eyes and puppy cuddles.

But along with the love and cuddles comes the responsibility of setting them up for a well-behaved and happy life in your family home.

Puppies can be a handful!

From chewing up shoes or furniture to crying at nighttime, a new puppy can test your patience.

That’s where puppy preschool comes into play.

When you and your new puppy attend puppy preschool classes, you help them develop positive behaviours and social skills that will set them up for a well-behaved, adjusted life.

It’s also a great way to bond with your puppy and form a lifetime of fun and happy companionship.

Why training your puppy early matters

During its first 8-16 weeks of life, your puppy will adapt to its new home and be keen to explore its new world. This is a critical time to start socialising your puppy so it will know how to interact with humans, other animals, and new environments (such as local walking tracks, parks, etc.).

Your puppy is also very responsive to learning new things at this age and will be eager to please you. Without proper guidance, training and socialisation at this young age, your puppy may develop issues as an adult dog, such as anxiety, fear or bad behaviour.

Positive vs negative puppy reinforcement training

As the owner of your new puppy, it’s your role to help your puppy adjust to life and learn acceptable behaviours. Positive reinforcement training is one of the best ways to teach your dog, although people may use negative reinforcement in certain situations. Here’s the difference.

Positive puppy reinforcement training

Positive reinforcement is always the best option (and highly recommended) for bonding with your puppy and creating a safe,
nurturing environment. This includes:

  • Using their favourite treats as a reward when they obey a command (sit, come, stay, etc.) or successfully do what they’ve been trained to do (e.g. go outside for the toilet, put themselves in their crate for sleep, etc.)
  • Giving them lots of praise, love and pats when they display good behaviour
  • Rewarding them for keeping calm when greeting visitors or meeting another dog while out for a walk

Negative puppy reinforcement training

Negative reinforcement training is often not used, although, at times, it may work effectively for your new puppy. This includes:

  • Releasing pressure from the lead when your puppy stops pulling (although it’s best to positively teach them how not to pull in thefirst place)
  • Using a training collar that vibrates or beeps when your puppy is doing something naughty (excessive barking, lunging, etc.)

Puppy preschool uses positive reinforcement training, which creates a fun, nurturing environment. Your experienced trainer will guide you through how to keep up the positive training at home so you don’t need to take extreme, negative reinforcement training measures.

The top 7 benefits of puppy preschool classes

1. Puppy behaviour training

Learn the basic commands to raise a well-behaved dog (sit, stay, come and more).

2. Puppy toilet training

Teach your puppy how to adjust to life inside without messy toilet accidents.

3. Puppy socialisation

Help your dog learn how to react around other dogs to make walking a fun experience for everyone.

4. Expose your puppy to the world

In a safe environment, you’ll introduce your puppy to various sights, smells, and sounds to build confidence.

5. Bond with your puppy

Attending puppy preschool with your puppy is a great way to strengthen the bond between you (plus your family) and your new puppy.

6. Identify puppy behavioural issues

The experienced trainers who run the puppy preschool classes can help you identify (and correct) puppy behavioural issues they may detect.

7. Support and guidance for you

Puppy preschool classes offer a safe (and knowledgeable) platform for new puppy owners to ask questions, seek advice and feel supported.

What to expect from puppy preschool

Puppy preschool is much more than the basic commands of sit, stay and come. It’s designed to teach you and your new puppy various skills to ensure your new puppy becomes a well-adjusted, happy adult dog.

Here’s an outline of what you can expect from puppy preschool classes:

  • Puppy toilet training
  • Settling your puppy for sleep (in a crate or bed)
  • Adjusting to your family’s routine and home environment
  • Basic cues for handling (sit, look, down, come, wait)
  • How to walk on a lead and heel
  • Correct diet and nutrition for each stage of your puppy’s development
  • Information about vaccinations, parasite control and grooming needs
  • Troubleshooting issues like biting, jumping, crying at night and separation anxiety
  • Understanding dog behaviour and how to communicate with your puppy in a positive, nurturing manner

Your puppy preschool checklist of what to bring to a class

You can enrol your new puppy in puppy preschool classes when it’s 8-16 weeks old and has had at least 1 vaccination.

You’ll need to bring:

  • Your puppy’s collar, a harness and a short, light lead
  • A bed for them to sit on during the training
  • Their favourite puppy treats for rewards
  • Their favourite toy for comfort
  • Lots of excitement and patience

Enrol in puppy preschool today to give your puppy the best start in life

Point Cook Dog Training, a renowned facility known for its qualified instructors, runs puppy preschool classes in Point Cook. Their expertise, patience, and knowledge help transform your new puppy into a well-mannered, confident furry family member. Puppy preschool is heaps of fun and will equip you and your puppy with all the skills needed for a lifetime of
good behaviour through structured training and positive reinforcement.

If you’re ready to set your puppy up for success, visit Point Cook Dog Training today to enrol in their next puppy preschool intake.