Puppy and Teen Dog Classes

Improving your relationship with your dog, building a strong foundation and overcoming common problems.

Introduction

Would you like a dog who chooses to listen to you, has behaviour that you can be proud of, and is easy to live with? The foundation to make that dream a reality is most easily built when the dogs are puppies and teens.

So What's the Problem?

Unfortunately, dogs don’t speak human languages! In fact, they have a language of their own that oftentimes is not understood by their humans. They also have minds and emotions of their own that sometimes clash with what we want of them. It’s important that we understand what motivates our dogs, how they learn, and be clear in our communication.

Young puppies are like infants and need a lot of support and loving guidance to set them up for success. This can come as a surprise when the puppy messes in the house, chews furniture and is generally chaotic to live with.

Older puppies are like teenagers and are starting to discover the attraction of the big wide world. Hormones and change in the maturing brain can make for some erratic behaviours. Owners frequently find this a very challenging stage of life as their dogs test the boundaries and seem to listen to them less than before.

How Can I Help?

Let me help you learn how to raise your puppies and teen dogs to be good canine citizens by understanding their needs and developing effective methods of training and management. I can offer you both the support of group classes and also online resources to pace yourself with applying what is learned.

What's Included?

Super Puppy Programme

We will cover helpful handling skills, basic obedience, handling, games to build focus and engagement, impulse control, recall, on lead greetings and more.

You will receive:

• 4 sessions of practical hands-on teaching in a fun group environment.
• Online resources to keep you motivated that you can access whenever you want.
• A supportive community of dog-owners who all care about living their best lives with their dogs.

Super Teenager Programme

We will focus on the “betweener” stage when your puppy is between 6 and 18 months old. This is the period when your older puppy is starting to discover that the world is an exciting place and that they would rather explore their own interests than listen to you.

You will receive:

• 4 sessions of practical hands-on teaching in a fun group. This will be in an outdoor setting, teaching the dogs to listen to you in a real-life distracting environment.
• Online resources to keep you motivated that you can access whenever you want.
• Help and advice for specific challenges you might be facing with your dog.

Testimonials from Super Puppy Programme participants

“Tony, thank you for being so approachable and attentive. I appreciate how the little gems are related to commands/training and your tips on building skills. The safe controlled environment to interact with other pups is great too.”

“Helped us to utilise Loui’s energy, build a stronger bond/relationship.”

“Over the weeks we have attended Luna has gone from a nervous unruly pup to a much more confident puppy, well on the way to obedience.”

“The calming games have been great, used them with our older dog as well.”

Testimonials from Super Teenager Programme participants

"The Super Teenager Course has been a game-changer. It helped to change Loui's behaviour from being hyperactive in the evenings and demand barking to learning how to relax. When you have a puppy you don't know what to expect in the teenage stage and when the bratty behaviour starts it can really stress you out. Now life is much calmer for us."

Who Am I?

My name is Tony Barrett and I am passionate about seeing dogs live their best lives in this human world. I have owned and trained three dogs of my own and currently live with Tess, a Border Collie.

Tess is sometimes anxious and reactive and this sparked in me an intense desire to want to understand how dogs think and manage this complex human world they live in, and – as I have grown in skill and understanding - to also want to help other people live their best lives with their dogs.

How am I advancing my knowledge?

- I am pursuing study to be up to date with the latest theory and practice in dog training. This includes a 3 year Diploma in Canine Behaviour with the School of Canine Science, and completion of The Puppy Lab, an in-depth training course for puppy classes.

- I completed a dog-trainer mentorship programme, networking with other trainers in New Zealand.

- I worked with dogs as a volunteer at the local SPCA for 2 years and have continuing casual involvement.

- I am a member of the Waikato Canine Professionals group, an informal network of trainers and related dog professionals in the Waikato region. 

- I am involved in an international dog-trainers mentoring circle with Tyler Muto, a well-respected trainer in the United States.

I have the experience, theoretical knowledge, and training support to help you be successful with your dog.

FAQS

What sort of interactions will my puppy have in puppy classes?

I believe in controlled dog to dog interactions where body language is monitored to provide a safe environment for the puppies. If puppies are allowed to interact in a free for all then sometime less confident puppies have negative experiences and it risks them developing a fearfulness of other dogs. Also. the stronger, more confident puppies can learn that inappropriate play behaviour is allowed. Close attention is paid to puppy welfare at all times.

Do I need to be concerned about Parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a risk to young puppies who have not received the appropriate vaccinations. The puppy classes are conducted on safe, disinfected surfaces so that there is no risk of Parvovirus transmission.

What if my teen dog is nervous/boisterous?

Let’s talk about how this could be managed in the group class situation. It may be possible for you to work with a little extra distance from the other dogs.

Summary

For your puppy:

• How to understand your puppy and read body language so you can build a bond of understanding.
• How to set up your home for a puppy and structure sleep, toileting and living with a puppy without going crazy.
• How a puppy learns, and what training works best. You will practice basic training and learn how to train your dog through life.
• Important aspects of socialisation such as exposure to new environments, dog/dog greetings, dog/human greetings.
• How to overcome common puppy problem behaviours like nipping, jumping up on people, digging (and more!).

Take me to the Super Puppy Programme!

For your teen pup:

• How to read body language and build a shared language so you can build a bond of understanding.
• How to build on the dog's basic training in new, more distracting environments.
• How a dog learns, and what training works best. You will practice basic training and learn how to train your dog through life.
• Continuing aspects of socialisation such as exposure to new environments, dog/dog greetings, dog/human greetings.
• How to overcome common teenage pup problems

Take me to the Super Teenager Programme!