Puppy Start Right: Teaching Puppy Classes

Early intervention, focused on exploration and prevention, is the key to preventing behavioral problems and relinquishment. In this Session, Debbie Martin will discuss the importance of offering puppy socialization classes, and why all trainers should incorporate a class for dogs younger than four months of age. Attendees will learn the benefits of offering puppy socialization classes, the format and goals of these classes, and how to effectively promote the service.

Questions that will be answered in this Session include:

• What are the age recommendations for puppies attending a puppy socialization class?
• Is puppy socialization class just an unstructured play session or basic manners course? (No!)
• What happens in a puppy socialization class?
• How do I reach the owners of puppies younger than four months old?
• What are the health risks when young puppies are in a class together?

Although this Session will not be able to go into the logistics of running a class from start to finish, it will give the attendee insight into what is involved in a puppy socialization class. It will include a brief description of a puppy class format, video examples, and recommendations for age and vaccine requirements.