All About Our New Puppy Classes!

Have a new puppy? We know you how excited and overwhelmed you may be. We are here to help! We are offering a new puppy class for our clients which is designed to help you make a smooth and wonderful life transition.

Puppy schooling begins the morning they wake up in your home for the first time. An eight-week-old puppy can learn to sit, walk on a leash without pulling, and come when called with informal training. However, proper and frequent socialization is most important in a dog’s early years, and that’s a big part of what he or she will get in our class.  Puppy socialization means getting your puppy out in the world to see and become comfortable with new things, like moving cars, strange dogs, loud noises, construction, flying birds and airplanes, and much more! 

Puppy class fulfills two goals: helping you, the new parent, understand and teach your puppy and also exposing your puppy to the world. Puppies will not be subject to regimented lessons in these classes but will learn basic commands, play a bit with other puppies, and learn how to behave in a friendly and stimulating environment. Their training is “snuck in” amongst all the fun and attention. You parents, on the other hand, will be given most of the tools you need to raise a well-behaved puppy. It’s up to you to utilize these tools, be consistent with your training and constantly reinforce the desired behaviors. Like children, puppies need schooling, rules that are enforced, and the loving guidance and support of their families.

Puppies may start attending our classes at any age between 10 weeks and eight months of age. They are required to have had at least 2 DHPP or DAP vaccines and their yearly Bordetella vaccine. Puppies must be patients of Greenbriar Animal Hospital to be eligible for our puppy classes.

Handlers must be at least 16 years old and each handler may bring one additional adult or one child at least 10 years of age to assist.

Owners and puppies MUST register ahead of time.  The Basic class is required before attending any other classes.  It is the only class your dog will NOT attend.  All classes will be held on Wednesdays from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.  The Basic class is $35.00 and each other class session costs $25.  You may attend as many or as few individual classes as you choose, once you have completed the Basic class.  Any class may be retaken at no additional cost. Classes will start February 11, 2009.

If you are interested in bringing your puppy to some of our Puppy Parenting Classes, please read through the information and then complete the reservation form ASAP and get it in to us.  Space is limited to 6 puppies per session, so everyone will get lots of attention (puppies as well as their owners), but this means space is very limited, so reserve your spot now!  Download the Puppy Class form here.

Topics

NOTE: Except for the Basic class, each class will include a puppy play and socialization session, practice with learning new skills, reviewing old skills, and a brief question and answer period.

• Topics covered in the Basic Class:
  • Shopping for collars, leashes, crates, beds, toys, and more
  • Housebreaking, feeding and routine
  • Jumping
  • Crate training/Kennel Up
  • Treats: how and when to use them
  • Development and preventive care - Teething, Spay/Neuter, Vaccinations, Microchipping, Insurance
  • Intro to basic manners, proper equipment, language, cues and freedom.
  • More
• Topics covered in Sit and Focus:
  • Attention span
  • Getting your dog to listen
  • Use of treats in training
  • Sit and Stay
• Topics covered in Exercise and Play:
  • Kid toys are not dog toys
  • To tug or not to tug
  • Going out in the yard doesn’t constitute exercise
  • He who leads the walk runs the house
  • Good play gone bad
  • Safe exercise techniques, games and play
• Topics covered in Mouth Training:
  • Mouthing/Gentle command
  • Nipping and Herding
  • Teeth Brushing
  • Don’t Eat That!  Safely removing items from your dogs mouth
  • Take It and Leave It
• Topics covered in Safety:
  • On Leash vs. Off Leash
  • Travel safety:  cars, planes and pet friendly hotels
  • Seasonal tips: beach water and sand, swimming, hot pavement or rock salt, insects, heartworm, Lyme disease, pesticides, heatstroke, sunburn, holiday hazards
  • Environmental cautions: antifreeze, toxic plants and foods
• Topics covered in Health and Care:
  • Food:  How much, when and what kind
  • Supplementation
  • Dental Care: toothbrushes, paste and frequency
  • Vaccination
  • Stand for exam: handling feet, ears, mouth (Each dog gets a turn on the table with a “doctor”)
  • Information on growth, health, safety, nutrition, grooming and problem prevention
• Topics covered in Myths and Mistakes:
  • My dog is friendly
  • The guilty look
  • He really loves kids
  • Just rub his face in it
  • My kids want him to sleep in their beds/I want him to sleep in my bed
  • I’ll train him to go inside first…

Schedule (all classes are Wednesdays at 7:00):

Owners and puppies MUST register ahead of time. There will be another set of classes after this one, beginning in early April.

The January 14th class registration is closed!

February 11th Basic intro (no puppies, bring leash, required pre-requisite for all other classes). Cost is $35.00.

Cost for remaining classes is $25.00 each and owners can sign up for as many as they want. Each class will have puppy play time, work on basic obedience and manners, and lots of information on various training issues as well as questions and answer time.

Sit and Focus is offered February 18, 2009

Exercise and Play is offered February 25, 2009

Mouth Training is offered March 4, 2009

Safety is offered March 11, 2009

Health and Care is offered March 18, 2009

Myths and Mistakes is offered March 25, 2009

 

Depending on popularity and demand, we may make changes on the next set of classes scheduled.

Meet our dog trainer, Jill Dulaney

Jill loves dogs.  All kinds of dogs.  But more than anything, she loves well-behaved dogs!  Jill feels that every dog should have basic good manners, and be a pleasure to take places in public.  That’s why she’s devoted her dog training expertise to helping people develop a harmonious and companionable relationship with their dogs. 

Jill’s philosophy is “Training for Your Everyday Dog,” emphasizing common sense goals for you to achieve with your dog.  She understands that you really don’t need your dog to sit just so, or heel with military precision.  She’ll help you teach your dog to be a well-mannered companion (this includes sitting on command and walking easily with you on leash).  Realistic goals for the everyday dog and every dog owner! 

Jill is able to address problems from a variety of angles, and has the experience to offer multiple ways to handle any difficulties you may have.  She has a very positive attitude, a good sense of humor, and is easy-going (important qualities when working with dogs as well as people).

Jill had her formal training with Babette Haggerty at Babette Haggerty’s School for Dogs in Palm Beach, Florida.  She was taught by working as an apprentice, with dogs and their people, in their own homes as well as in class settings.  Jill learned to approach each situation from many angles and to have several solutions at the ready.  She has also attended multiple seminars on topics such as Solving Problem Behaviors, and she continues to attend behavior and training seminars as opportunities arise.

Jill will teach seven classes in our new Puppy Parenting Series. The classes will be on rotation and the schedule available on our website. 

If you have questions or concerns that are not answered by the detailed information on our website, feel free to e-mail Jill directly at Jillsdogs@yahoo.com.  She is also available for private, in-home training sessions.