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Animates Puppy Preschool. Book now button.

 

Animates Vetcare Puppy Preschool classes are fun interactive indoor training courses conducted by experience puppy trainers at selected Animates stores and Animates Vetcare Locations.

During the early months, positive socialisation, training and play is vital for the development of your puppy. All classes are conducted using a reward-based method to teach you and your puppy lifelong skills as they develop into an adult dog.

Available courses

To help your puppy put their best paw forward, we offer Puppy Preschool classes for puppies aged between 8-16 weeks.

About

Puppy Preschool is designed for puppies in their critical socialisation period who are new to training and learning new skills for the first time.

Age

Your puppy should be between 8–16 weeks old on their first day of class and have had at least one vaccination 2 weeks prior to their first group class.

Duration of course

One hour per week, over 5 weeks.

Week 1 is an introductory class for puppy parents only (puppies do not attend).

Weeks 2-5 includes puppies.

Course cost

$200 for 5 weeks.

What's covered in the course?

  • Toilet training
  • Behaving calmly around others.
  • Settling into a new home.
  • Settling your puppy for sleep.
  • Safety and health essentials.
  • Introduction to good manners.
  • Basic cues for lifelong handling (sit, look, down, recall, wait, walking on a loose lead and heel).
  • Preparing for life in the family.
  • Preparing your puppy for handling e.g. by vets, groomers and new friends.
  • Understanding how puppies learn for lifelong training.
  • Understanding puppy behaviour and how to communicate effectively.
  • Troubleshooting challenging behaviours like jumping and biting.

Why join Animates Puppy Preschool?

When it comes to training, the early months of your puppy’s life are essential. They learn vital socialisation and communication skills when they are young and these early life experiences influence how your puppy will play, communicate and learn as they develop into an adult dog.

Our Puppy Preschools are conducted by experienced puppy trainers who have vet-led training in animal behaviour.

Our courses connect you to our national network of Trainers, Veterinarians, Groomers and Retail experts you can rely on for ongoing tips and advice. We work with some of the best in the industry to ensure we are up to date with leading scientific research and collectively draw on many thousands of hours of training and practice. All our trainers undergo theory and practical training and assessments to meet our strict standards.

For the whole family

A puppy is a part of the whole family, so we encourage you to bring along the kids. Our classes will teach you about puppy and dog socialisation, dog communication, leadership, child and dog safety, training, vet care and troubleshooting naughty behaviour. You will learn how to decipher canine communication so that you can have a better understanding of why and how your pet learns and plays.

Puppy training you can trust

Animates Puppy Preschool is a fun and interactive dog training course that will allow your puppy to socialise in a positive environment with dogs of all sizes. Your puppy will be taught basic manners and best behaviour along with vital socialisation and development skills.

All classes are conducted using modern science-based force-free training. A reward-based (positive reinforcement) method, to teach you and your dog lifelong skills. Our classes focus on teaching humans how to train and communicate with their dogs effectively.

What is the age range for puppies to join the class?

Your puppy should be between the ages of 8-16 weeks old for the first class and must have had at least one vaccination 2 weeks prior to their first group class.

How many puppies are in our classes?

Our classes will typically have 4-6 puppies in attendance.

Puppy training includes:

  • Calming and handling techniques
  • A puppy’s view of the big wide world
  • How your puppy learns

Basic manners and cues:

  • 'Sit'
  • 'Come'
  • 'Drop'
  • 'Stay'

Advice on common ‘unwanted’ puppy behaviours:

  • Toilet training
  • Crying at night
  • Biting
  • Jumping
  • Hyperactivity
  • Separation behaviours

 

Contact an Animates Puppy Preschool

Book a class now or find out more information.

BOOK NOW

FAQ

How long do the classes go for?
Each class runs for approximately one hour.
How many weeks does the Animates Puppy Preschool go for?
Our schools run for 5 weeks. Week 1 is people only, Week 2-5 the puppies attend.
What is the age range for puppies to join the class?
Our schools are designed for puppies from 8-16 weeks old, who are in their critical socialisation learning period.
Are there any other enrolment requirements?
Yes. A puppy must have had at least one vaccine a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the first group class (week 2) and be up to date with all vaccines, flea prevention, worming and tick prevention (where appropriate).
What happens if I miss a class?
If you are unable to make a class, you can contact the Animates Puppy Preschool trainer to seek advice and homework. No partial refunds will be given for a missed class and missed classes cannot be made up at a later date due to puppy ages, development and socialisation milestones. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if my puppy is sick and cannot come?
If your puppy is sick and cannot come to class, you may attend class without your puppy. The Animates Puppy Preschool instructor will provide homework and advice on what to do in this situation.
Can my puppy come if it has been desexed that week?
Yes, however the puppy must remain as quiet as possible. The puppy school trainer will adjust the class play sessions and structure to accommodate the puppy. If you are unsure if your puppy should attend Animates Puppy Preschool after desexing you should seek Veterinary advice or speak to your Puppy Preschool trainer.
Can a small dog that is a little older join?
No. Although the puppy may look young and small, that does not mean they are in the same development stage. The critical socialisation development phase for puppies is up to 16 weeks. It is vital that they learn to communicate and socialise with other dogs in a positive safe environment. Having older puppies, regardless of their size can severely impact on a young puppy’s social development.
Can different breeds (small and large) be in the same class?
Yes, and it is recommended. It is important that puppies are exposed to other puppies of different sizes and breeds to help develop positive social skills.

 

Animates Puppy Preschool proudly supported by

Back Hawk logo. Eukanuba logo. Hill's Science Diet logo. Pro Plan logo. Royal Canin logo. Simparica logo. Revolution Plus logo. NexGard Spectra logo. Kong logo. Yours Droolly logo. Animates Vetcare logo.