Greencross Vets Greencross Puppy School
Why should I join Puppy Preschool?
Puppy Preschool is a fun and interactive behaviour training program run by our puppy trainers. It is an excellent starting point for any pet owner wanting a well-mannered and socialised puppy.
Over the course of this program, you will be taught the best strategies to communicate with your new family member and learn to understand what they are saying to you. There will be plenty of time in each session to ask for advice and receive individualised feedback on you and your puppy’s progress.
Guide your puppy’s development and build a strong relationship with them as they grow into a lifetime member of your family.
Why Choose a Vet-Led Puppy Preschool?
When you choose Greencross Vets Puppy Preschool, you’re not just learning training cues; you’re investing in a healthy foundation for your puppy’s life. Our program benefits from:
- A Safe & Clean Environment: The training area is completely disinfected before and after each session to ensure a safe learning space for young puppies.
- Expert Oversight: Our curriculum is backed by our vast network of veterinarians and veterinary behaviourists, ensuring our methods are up-to-date and based on positive – reward based techniques.
- Health-Focused Training: We can provide expert advice on everything from nutrition and parasite prevention, to preparing your puppy for positive vet visits in the future.
Puppy School Details at a Glance
- Eligible Age: For puppies between 8-16 weeks old at the start of the course. This is the crucial development phase for socialisation.
- Course Duration: 4-5 weeks, with one 1-hour session per week.
- Class Size: Small classes of only 4-8 puppies to ensure individual attention.
- Course Cost: $159 for the full course.
- Vaccination Requirement: All puppies need to have had first vaccination 2 weeks prior to the first class.
- Health Requirement: Your puppy must be free of fleas, ticks and worms to safeguard their health, as well as the health of the other puppies in class.
- Homework: Homework will be assigned each week, but don’t worry, it will be fun!This aims to reinforce the training you and your puppy have learnt in class. As puppies, short training sessions (5-10 minutes) one or twice per day are the most rewarding.
What Our Puppy Preschool Teaches
Our trainers use positive, rewards-based techniques to teach you how to communicate effectively with your puppy. The curriculum covers:
Basic Manners & Cues
- Sit, come, drop, and stay
- Polite lead walking
- Calming and handling techniques
Common Behavioural Advice
- Proven strategies for toilet training
- Tips for crying at night and separation anxiety
- Managing hyperactivity
Troubleshooting & Socialisation
- How to handle common puppy issues like biting and jumping
- Understanding how your puppy learns and views the world
- Building confidence and positive associations with other puppies and people.
Like humans, puppies all learn at their own pace, and our Puppy Preschool helps to set a solid foundation for them to build on as they develop into confident and obedient adult dogs. They’ll be on their best behaviour in no time!
There are limited spots available at each session so contact your local Greencross Vets to enrol your puppy now.
Greencross Vets Puppy Preschool is run in conjunction with Petbarn and classes may be held at selected Petbarn stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Puppy Preschool course is completed over 4-5 weeks, with each session lasting for one hour.
Our puppy preschool focuses on teaching you, the owner, how to train and bond with your puppy in weekly sessions. In contrast, a puppy training camp is often an intensive, live-in program where the puppy stays with a trainer. We believe in empowering you with the skills for a lifetime of positive training.
Your puppy will need a flat collar and lead, and you should bring some high-value treats such as cooked chicken, Prime 100 dog roll or chicken/liver treats. Your trainer will provide a full list of requirements before your first session.
Yes! Greencross Vets Puppy Preschool is run in conjunction with Petbarn, and classes are held at selected Greencross Vets clinics and Petbarn stores nationwide. Use the booking link to find a class near you.
