It is advised after getting your puppy (or even organise before - if you are really keen like me) that you are in contact with your chosen vet to see if they have any Puppy School programs in place or if they can advise any in your local area. Sometimes Petbarn offer a Puppy School program - be in contact with your local store to see their offerings. 

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There are many benefits for you and your puppy to go to Puppy School.

The socialisation period is a very sensitive phase in the development of a puppy that occurs from around 3 to 12 weeks of age, although this varies between the breed and individual. 

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During this period the puppy's' senses are sufficiently developed to allow them to explore their environment and begin to relate to other dogs and people that they are introduced to. This allows them to develop the necessary social tools to be able to communicate with them and to become familiar with different objects that that will consider normal in the future. 

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If a puppy is not exposed to sufficient stimuli during this socialisation period, they could develop a fear of new situations, unknown people and other dogs. 

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Main reasons to attend puppy classes

1. Set your puppy up for learning

Puppies who go to puppy classes are easier to educate or train when they are adults. During puppy classes, puppy owners are instructed on the risks of using punitive methods and education is introduced in a positive way, so that the well-being of the dogs is always ensured, and in addition, the puppy-guardian bond is strengthened. It’s important for your puppy to be able to learn and understand instructions while they are in a busy environment - surrounded by other dogs and people (which can be a distraction). 

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2. Teach your puppy to not get overexcited 

It has been found that dogs starting to attend puppy classes when they are less than 3 months old are less excitable and are more responsive to instructions when they are adults. A good puppy class will also help you to learn tools to control the excitability of your dog and some unwanted behaviours.

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3. Decreased sensitivity to touch 

Dogs that previously attended puppy classes have also been found to show less sensitivity when they are being handled. This can be very helpful for veterinary management, since these dogs are most likely easier to examine and manage when doing diagnostic tests and, in addition, will suffer less stress in the veterinary consultation.

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4. Decreased fear of environmental stimuli

Dogs attending puppy classes have been seen to be less likely to show fear of environmental stimuli such as thunder, fireworks or traffic. This could be related to positive interactions that dogs have during the classes (with different stimuli and gradual exposure to them), recommendations given by tutors on how to socialise the puppies, and even the visit to the place where classes take place, which involves moderate exposure to external stimuli. It’s important to keep in mind that environmental fear is very common in dogs, which makes the prevention of this even more important.

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5. Improve your puppy's bond with other dogs in the family

Interestingly, dogs that go to puppy classes show less aggression towards other family dogs than those who did not go to puppy classes. This could be due to the acquisition of better social skills at the puppy classes, thanks to controlled play between puppies, and advice given by tutors on canine social behaviour and avoiding the use of punishment.

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6. Socialised are less fearful

Puppy class attendance helps to properly socialise dogs; adult dogs that attended puppy classes are less likely to be afraid of unknown people than dogs that didn’t receive this education. Since most aggression towards dogs and unknown persons is due to fear, attending puppy classes can also decrease the likelihood of dogs showing aggression in these situations. 

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Learning through positive reinforcement 

Another important environmental factor that greatly influences the behaviour and well-being of dogs is the method of education used. The use of "positive reinforcement" methods are recommended since they result in high learning rates, improve the dog-guardian link, promote a well-rounded character of the dog, avoid problems of coexistence, and ensure that training is enjoyable for both dog and owner.

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Thus, combining proper socialisation with positive education helps puppies to be less likely to have behavioural problems when they grow up. Puppy classes are a series of sessions in which puppies have positive experiences with people and other dogs in a safe way. Alongside other puppies, they begin their education using positive methods; tutors will help puppy parents acquire knowledge about the behaviour and education of their puppies. Let's just say puppy classes are something similar to children's preschool.

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Puppy classes include a theoretical and a practical programme which will vary between education centres. It is compulsory that puppies have fun in the classes!

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Here are some elements a theory programme might cover:

• The socialisation period - why it is important and how to introduce your puppy gradually to different stimuli

• The importance of positive training

• Housetraining

• How to avoid future problems, such as spending time home along

• Dog communication and behaviour

• Health and hygiene topics

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A practical programme is likely to cover these puppy training commands:

• Sit

• Lie down/Drop

• Stay

• Come (Recall)

• Not pulling on leash

• Leave it/drop it

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Resources:

• https://blog.adaptil.com/uk/reasons-why-you-should-consider-puppy-training-classes

• González-Martínez Á, Martínez MF, Rosado B, et al. Association between puppy classes and adulthood behavior of the dog. J Vet Behav. 2019;32. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2019.04.011

• Kutsumi A, Nagasawa M, Ohta M, Ohtani N. Importance of puppy training for future behavior of the dog. J Vet Med Sci. 2013;75(2):141-149. doi:10.1292/jvms.12-0008.

• Seksel K, Mazurski EJ, Taylor A. Puppy socialisation programs: Short and long term behavioural effects. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 1999;62(4):335-349. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00232-9

• Stepita ME, Bain MJ, Kass PH. Frequency of CPV Infection in Vaccinated Puppies that Attended Puppy Socialization Classes. Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2013;49(2):95-100. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5825