PUPPY SOCIALISATION COURSES
The foundations for good behaviour are laid down in the first 16 weeks of a dog's life. This is an almost magical time when you are able to develop your puppy's brain and shape the way he will turn out as an adult dog. It is a time when most problem behaviours can be prevented giving the dog a far more certain future.
Suitable for pups up to the age of 6 months.
Places are booked in advance. Use the button below to ask about the next course.
Congratulations! You have a new puppy.
At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Puppies up to 6 months
- Course length
- 6 classes, 30 minutes each
- When
- Sundays, 3:00pm
- Next course starts
- Sunday 11 October, 3:00pm
- Where
- Outdoors at the Training Grounds; indoors at Llys Nini when it is wet.
- A1K9 Training Grounds, Pontarddulais
- Llys Nini Animal Centre (RSPCA), Penllergaer
- Class size
- About ten dogs, never more than twelve. You can join up to week two.
- Bring
- A collar, a lead and treats your dog likes, and your vet card to the first class. Gaynor sells quality training leads and collars in class.
For insurance reasons XL Bully dogs, and dogs legally required to be muzzled, cannot join a class.
The most critical time in your dog's life is right now!
Puppyhood is the time when your influence and what you do with your pup will have an everlasting effect.
The help and guidance you receive from Gaynor Probert at A1K9 Behaviour and Training Academy, can make a profound difference on the success of your relationship with your dog.
Responsible dog ownership
As your pup develops over the coming months, Gaynor will teach you the most important aspects of your dog's education and how to develop him to be the well behaved and balanced pet you have always wanted.
These classes are the starting point for all puppies under the age of six months.
It's your vet who decides when your puppy is ready to mix with other dogs: practices differ, with some wanting a week after a jab and others two, so ask at your next visit, then get in touch to book a place. There's nothing you need to arrange beforehand; just bring your puppy's vet card along to the first class, and no kennel cough vaccination is needed to attend. Puppies get the opportunity to meet and play with other pups off lead in our fenced fields under the watchful eye of Gaynor and her assistants, who with their specialist knowledge of dog body language will prevent any over exuberance.
A little practice at home before your first class helps enormously: getting your puppy comfortable wearing a collar, walking on a lead out to the garden, coming when called by name, and making eye contact with you for a treat. And once you're with us, ask anything you like in class: toilet training, crate training, chewing, it's all covered.
We also have a large purpose built dog training barn so that we can go indoors when the weather is inclement. It is filled with sand for a soft landing when playing, ensuring that your puppy's socialisation and education continues no matter what the weather.
Puppies grow and mature much faster than humans, therefore the earlier you get your pup accepting and happy around dogs and people they don't know, the happier they will be in both the company of people and other dogs that they meet.
Teaching your dog to sit, to lie down and to return to you when called, is the beginning of your dog's training, achieved easily in a fun environment.
Course Details
Over a period of weeks Gaynor will help and advise you with different aspects of responsible dog ownership:
- How to teach your puppy to inhibit the force of his play bites is the most important priority, for your puppy to develop a soft mouth and preventing what can be potentially serious problems in the future.
- Getting your dog acclimatised to walking on a lead in a controlled manner, to make walking with your dog a joy.
- How to handle and examine your young puppy is easy and essential; your groomer and vet will be very grateful.
- Teach your puppy how to enjoy giving up valued items when requested.
- We establish the correct manner for your puppy to greet people, as early as possible.
- How to condition your puppy, to accept you and others, picking up his food bowl, to help, prevent food aggression developing in the future.
Only you can condition your puppy to living in your home and to accept and fit in to your lifestyle; but, having the help and guidance of Gaynor Probert at A1K9 Behaviour and Training Academy can have a profound effect that will enrich your relationship with your dog for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: My puppy is shy, or missed early socialisation. Will class help, or is it too late?
It depends on your puppy's age. A young puppy can simply come along to class as normal. Once a puppy is around six months or older, ring Gaynor first for a chat about how your puppy is getting on, so she can judge the best way in. If your puppy turns six months partway through a course you are already on, just keep going. There's no need to stop.
Q2: My dog is X months old: Puppy, Junior or Bronze? Can we go up early, or skip Junior if we've done classes elsewhere?
It depends on your dog's age: Puppy Socialisation is for pups up to 6 months, Junior for young dogs 6 to 12 months, and Bronze for dogs 12 months and over. Going up a little early is possible if Gaynor agrees it. Ring her for a quick chat about your dog first. Skipping Junior because you have already done classes elsewhere is possible too, though her usual recommendation is Junior then Bronze, since age tends to matter more than a previous class at that stage. Either way, a short phone conversation is how she decides.
Q3: Can we join a course that's already started, and what if we miss a week?
You can join in week two if there is space. After that it's best to wait for the next course. If you miss a class partway through, there's no way to make it up on another course running the same weekend, since it will be at a different level: you have the weeks you paid for on your own course.
Q4: We have two dogs (or littermates). Can they both come, does each need a handler, and is there a discount?
Two dogs from the same home can both come, but it isn't recommended: they tend to watch each other rather than you, so neither learns as well. Each dog needs its own handler, and Gaynor's advice is to put them on separate courses rather than bring them into the same one; if they're different ages, one option is for each partner to take one dog to a different course, swapping over. There's no discount for a second dog: it's the same price per dog.
Ask about Puppy Socialisation
Tell Gaynor a little about your dog and she will come back to you with whether this is the right course to start on.
How booking works
- Step 1
Send the enquiry once you have filled in all the details.
- Step 2
Gaynor replies to your email with all the information you will need.
- Step 3
Confirm you want to attend.
- Step 4
A WhatsApp group will start near the start date of the course.
Where Puppy Socialisation fits
Junior through to Platinum is a step-by-step progression: each course prepares your dog for the next. Puppy Socialisation is a standalone class, so your puppy does not need it before starting Junior.
If your puppy is 6 months of age or over it's time to move to the:
Would you rather train privately? Gaynor also offers one to one sessions.