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During the first four months of life a puppy learns more social skills than during the remaining course of his lifetime.

The environmental stimulation and the learning that develops during these 16 weeks forms lasting emotional and cognitive patterns of thought that can affect behaviour for a lifetime.

The way your pet behaves is entirely up to you. As a pet owner, your responsibility includes teaching your puppy appropriate behaviour in different situations and environments so he can become a well adjusted, confident and obedient dog. It's also not much hard work and a lot of fun. Also it builds a strong and trusting relationship between you and your puppy.

Puppies don't usually come with "built in" good behavior. And you will soon realize just how fast they learn ... just all the wrong things. It's all too clear that what you do and don't do in puppyhood will affect your dog's behaviour forever. And the solution is... take your puppy to Puppy School and rely on experienced puppy trainers to show you the way.

Look for someone who:

Has good qualifications & experience
 
Uses positive reinforcement training methods
 
Makes training a fun & enjoyable experience for both of you and your puppy
 
Is approachable and encourages questions
 
Clearly explains and demonstrates each lesson
 

Although the instructors experience and number of assistants do affect how many puppies are appropriate in a class, it's important to have classes that allow for some individual attention.

Puppies learn to socialize with others through play. Just make sure play time is carefully supervised and boisterous puppies are kept in line so that your puppy has a positive experience and becomes more confident in social interactions.

The class should be broken down into short sessions suitable for puppies to learn. There should be some equipment which stimulates learning and exposure to stimuli. Puppies should be relaxed and enjoying themselves

 
Hill's Pet Nutrition is dedicated to helping pets reach their full potential through quality nutrition and healthcare. We care about your puppy's growth and development which is why we sponsor a number of reputable Puppy Schools. Find one in your area:

Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo
Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Kwazulu Natal
Inappropriate behaviour is one of the most common reasons for euthanising dogs
Most of your puppy's social skills are learned in his first 16 weeks of life
The very best way to make an informed decision is to watch a class before you sign up.