Puppy Pre-school In Western Suburbs, Melbourne

[Joypod]

Morning all,

Can anyone recommend a puppy pre-school in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne? I'm in Sunshine and I've just spent half an hour on the Net trying to find one that isn't going to be a huge drive to get to. By huge drive i mean over half an hour or so.

Thanks for your help.

[Cosmolo]

What about Four Paws? We run one in Sth Melbourne but that mght be a bit far.

[Joypod]

What about Four Paws? We run one in Sth Melbourne but that mght be a bit far.

thanks Comolo . Just as you were replying I found the Yaraville Vet Clinic that runs pre-schools. That's only 15 mins from me and is apparently run by an animal behaviourist which is good too.

[Cosmolo]

Do you know who they are qualified with?

[Joypod]

I don't actually. Infact, all I've done is look on their website which says the following:

"Puppy Kinda is a four week course held on Monday nights at 7.30 pm.

The cost is $80.00 and a $20.00 deposit is required.

It covers

Off Lead Socialising

This is normally the first experience for your puppy to meet other puppies.

On Lead Socialising

Detailed explanation of the dangers of not knowing how to walk a dog properly on a loose lead.

Obedience Work

Using a very gentle method to teach your pup how to

-Heel

-Sit

-Sit Stay

-The Recall

Health, Grooming and Other Issues

One of our Qualified Veterinary Staff Members will discuss these and related issues of concern to you.

Behavioural Problems

Toilet Training, excessive mouthing and biting, excessive barking. Why do they occur? How do you cure them? These questions and many more will be answered.

This is the only puppy kinda course run by a Dog Behavioural Specialist."

I'd have to ring and ask to find out who they're qualified with. There really isn't that much choice of puppy pre-schools in my area though. It's a bit annoying.

[Kelpie-i]

Joypod, that seems like a hell of a lot to learn in such a short period of time. 4 weeks of training is merely the "tip of the iceberg" and there is absolutely no way your pup (or even you) will master all of those things in 4 weeks.

Why don't you check out the Four Paws link below? Your puppy remains in the level until he/she is 6 months old therefore you and your pup will learn heaps during that time - you will also find that you get more "bang for your buck!" Keilor Park is approx 15 mins from Sunshine.

This is the only puppy kinda course run by a Dog Behavioural Specialist."

This statement is not true at all. There are many Puppy kinder courses run by behaviour specialists.

[Cosmolo]

Agree with kelpie i- although you have to look and ask questions, there are many puppy pre schools that are run by behaviour specialists or behavioural trainers. I don't know why they would claiam to be the only one? Ask lots of questions and se if you can go down and see how a puppy class is run/ meet the instructor. I would highly recommend Four Paws though, and it allows you to do any further training with them as well.

[miccar96]

Hi I would recommend 4paws as well. We took our Dog there.( Hello Kelpie-i )

All the trainers are really friendly and they know alot about dogs.

[Joypod]

Thanks everyone. Excellent advice from you all.... as always :D

I'll have a look at Four Paws.

[Kodiak]

I took my puppy to a puppy preschool at a pet store, run by a "animal behaviourist". To be honest I didn't learn a thing... it was an expensive way for my puppy to play with other pups! Then I went to Four Paws and they were great! Best of all my pup loved it too (I drove for an hour to get there from the country because it was so great!). So I third or fouth the suggestion.