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.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Stef at [email protected] or contact the office at 250-732-5415.
I had the good fortune and pleasure to take the Foundation Program at Cowichan K9 this winter
with my lab cross puppy Cody. Cody just turned 8 months when we graduated with distinction from this awesome training experience. Bev, Karen, and Glenda were terrific and facilitated our learning with clear instruction, helpful tips, and much kindness and caring.
I've worked with dogs all my life and was amazed at how much I learned participating in this program and now Cody and I get to benefit daily from our indelible experience with you. Training with such positive reinforcement, small class size, and expert facilitation enhanced our relationship beyond measure and will continue to do so now that we have the tools and understanding.
Cody travels on rounds with me and is continually being complimented on his fine manners and keen willingness to please. I am so proud of him! Attending our classes at Cowichan Canine was the highlight of each week and will continue to be as we begin agility classes and scent games.
I can't thank you enough for how your program has enriched our relationship and daily life together.
I recommend all my clients take their dogs to Cowichan Canine. Every one can benefit!
p.s. Your Christmas party was the highlight of the season, hands down! Class act: so many happy, well behaved dogs and their people, games and prizes, Santa and presents, incredibly delicious appies and meatballs galore for all. That was the best Christmas function I've ever attended!
Thank you again -
Dr Brenda Bernhardt
Cowichan Veterinary HouseCall Services
My darling French Bulldog Maggie has passed this course with distinction. This would not have been possible without the fine teachings of Karen and Bev. Both these ladies conveyed instructions clearly and with humour, making the hour fun and interesting for both dog and owner. Maggie and I thoroughly enjoyed the course and plan on being back for more next fall. With many thanks,
Mimi Hayes and Maggie Mc.F. Hayes
Duncan
