Puppy Start Right Classes

Puppy Start Right

For puppies 8-16 weeks of age.

Your puppy's socialization period starts at 3-4 weeks of age and ends somewhere between 12-16 weeks of age.

Why is Puppy Start Right so important?

The early puppyhood socialization period is a critical and finite period of time during which puppies are developmentally open to new experiences - sights, sounds, smells, dogs, critters, motion, people, environments, novelty.
Puppies are learning about how to successfully live in modern human society.
Positive socialization can "inoculate" your puppy against future behavioral issues.
Positive socialization is so critical that the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour (AVSAB) has published a POSITION STATEMENT in which it states that “…it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.”
Lack of socialization is detrimental to your puppy's ability to cope as an adult dog and can cause lifelong social deficits, which will affect not only your puppy's quality of life, but yours and your family's, too. Living with a fearful/aggressive dog may seriously affect your lifestyle (inability to have friends over, take a vacation, etc.)

Watch this Puppy Class from Cowichan Canine on Vimeo.

With our Puppy Start Right classes you will learn to:

Manage your puppy's socialization period correctly, in a positive manner.
Use positive reinforcement training.
Manage and prevent undesirable behaviours.
Understand normal canine behaviour.
Build a life-long bond with your puppy.
Teach your puppy to be comfortable around new stimuli, people and sounds.
Teach your puppy to accept handling and restraint and to become a great veterinary patient and grooming client.
Manage meetings and play sessions between your puppy and other puppies of different breeds of an appropriate age.
Teach your puppy to be comfortable when separated from owner/caregiver.
Guide your puppy when exploring the environment at his/her own pace.
Teach your puppy to share or trade valuable "goodies".

We offer two Puppy Start Right options:

You can opt for one class, as well as two play groups a week. This option costs $435.00, plus taxes. Or you can attend one class and one play group a week. This option costs $335.00, plus taxes. Regardless of which option you choose, your puppy can continue to attend play groups until they are 16 weeks old. So sign up early!

With Puppy Start Right you can start immediately - no waiting around for classes to begin!

What you need to register:

Watch our Orientation video on YouTube.
Your completed REGISTRATION FORM.
Your puppy's vaccination certificate for at least the first vaccination for each of Parvo and Distemper

You can also PAY ONLINE, after which we will email you your registration information so that you can reserve your spot in class.

Once you have registered and paid, you will be able to book each class attendance yourself online, taking full advantage of our flexible schedule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Stef at [email protected] or contact the office at 250-929-1400.

What's New?

What Clients Are Saying:

Dear Lisbeth, With lots of practice through your guidence and instructions, I am beyond excited and pleased to inform you that Tina has conquered her fear of brooms and mops! It took about a month, slow consistent practicing and desensitizing, and I am now at a stage where Tina literally follows me around, tail wagging and smiles, while I clean the floors! Another fear checked off the list! Thank you so very much for your continued support throughout our journey. With the private training we took with you, then Confidence Class, and now Agility with amazing Glenda- Tina has turned into this confident, joyful, and content little dog that just loves life. School is Tina's absolute favorite thing and I am so glad to have found Cowichan Canine. Thank you for everything, to both you and Glenda for all fun we get to learn and experience. Tina's quality of life she so very much deserves just keeps getting better and better!

Hanna Quinn and Tina the Toy Poodle
Crofton, BC

Just want to thank you Lisbeth and also Bev and Karen for the excellent training that Lily and I have enjoyed so much. I know Lily has enough for a pass now but we really are aiming for distinction. We are working hard at home as well to see if we can get this. Lily is so improved now. My husband says that in the mornings when he is playing ball off leash with her that she no longer runs at other dogs, she just ignores them now. I noticed when I took her to another trainer in the summer she was always panting and anxious. At Cowichan Canine she is just so happy and cannot wait to get in the door. It is her favourite place so obviously what you are doing is right and the place has great vibes for dogs. She has not reacted to the dogs in the classes either but is always wagging her tail. I am very grateful for this. We will be back in December and want to go onto greater things in advanced and we are both looking forward to it. Going to bring my other dog Cole as well.

Susan
Maple Bay, BC