Puppy Preschool....

[Nevafollo]

hi guys just wonderin if anyone here is involved with the setting up/structuring of puppy preschool classes?

the obedience club i go to are considering holding classes as at the moment we only start dogs from 16 weeks in basic obedence. There is a huge need for it in the area i feel as alot of vets are holding ones that are...welll....CRAP, some of the vet nurses wouldnt even know which is there left foot . The first thing im sure that will be suggested is a clean area which is fine we have a huge room out the back of the club house that could easily be cleaned with the apropriate chemicals prior to class

so if any on is involved and can help me out with what you think a good class needs your advise would be very much apperciated!!!

and if anyone knows where you get the little puppy packs that they give out that would be awesome!!

thanx in advance!!!

[Georgie-boy]

and if anyone knows where you get the little puppy packs that they give out that would be awesome!!

You'd be looking for Avi-safe or similar microcide as your cleaning chemical. As for the puppy packs - unless you are willing to write your own handouts, you'll have to sweet talk some of the pet food reps - good luck with that.

[Nevafollo]

thanx for the chemical names thats a huge help...we will be able to print out/write out our own hand outs.....and will work on some food/flea/worming reps

THANK U

[Staff'n'Toller]

I think you can also get F10 (maybe this is the avisafe renamed?) cleanser, there is one type that kills Parvo...we have it at work I can check for you.

Yes you need a sealed floor that is away from the thoroughfare of adult dogs.

I use Hills puppy packs and they also supply graduation certificates, Advance and Royal Canin both do packs as well.

There are nice certificates here: Vet Stationery Supplies

This is also a fantastic book, I'm not sure if non Vet Clinic classes can get this but it would be worth trying as it has the basics of everything you will probably cover and it is very positive e.g. it actually says not to punish for accidents in the house and that sort of thing.

Surviving the first 6mths with your puppy

I was already a Trainer running puppy schools but I did a weekend course with Creature Comforts and Karen Damiani was the presenter awesome, awesome weekend and I know that there will probably be another organised after Christmas. Stacks of info on safe play, safe introductions, reading body language, approaching dogs, teaching the basics positively, kids and dogs, and I walked out with 2 booklets - a trainers manual and a ready-made handout booklet!!

Not sure where your club is, I think you're in Vic? I am happy to come and advise or am more than happy to have trainers sit in and watch my classes. Puppy schools are different and need to be run differently to a young dog course, or puppy and parent gain nothing from the experience other than stress and frustration!

Edited September 5, 2007 by Staff'n'Toller

[Nevafollo]

thanx heaps for the offer SnT but im in newcastle....

we have a great club here but me and mum feel that if we get the owners in when they are younger we will boost our membership rates and also try and convince people to stick with the club as there dogs get older and participate in some doggy sports

[PAX]

If the club is affiliated with the CC I'm not sure how you would go having dogs on the ground that aren't fully vaccinated as that is the reason most clubs wait until 16 weeks.

[Nevafollo]

If the club is affiliated with the CC I'm not sure how you would go having dogs on the ground that aren't fully vaccinated as that is the reason most clubs wait until 16 weeks.

hmmmm well that could be a huge issue....will have to look into it...the idea may not be viable after all!!

[Sarah L]

Very good point Pax. Maybe the club could put fourth the motion of instead of running it as a puppy class it could be a responsible ownership class. The club should approach their local council for approval and base it on a community service plan.

Sammy ballerina...... It would be a good idea also to keep your numbers in the class to no more than six pups for the duration of the each course. If you have more than this then it can get to out of hand. I ran puppy classes for many years but never had more than this number in my class. Although they were called puppy classes the structure I used was a resonsable ownership one. pm me if you would like to know more about this structure.

A very good manual for you to follow would be Ian Dunbars Syrius puppy program, It is widley available in dvd and book. Or through APDT association.

[ness]

One of the CC affiliated clubs here runs a puppy class. Not sure how they do it but I know they run it inside on a separate night so it obviously can happen. Again I do know they disinfect the area thoroughly before class for the puppies and other dogs aren't allowed into the area anyway as all other dogs are not allowed inside.