VERY IMPORTANT PET SERVICES PUPPY GROUP CLASS
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal behaviorists, along with VIPet recommend that puppies (who do not have health problems) begin training classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) states that puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming.
This early start is recommended because inadequate socialization during the first two to three months of the puppy’s life can result in behavioral issues (including fears, phobias, avoidance, and aggression) that extend well into the dog’s life. The current thinking in the medical and behavioral world is that the benefits of attending classes early outweigh any possible health risks.
However, it’s important to note that training can start as soon as your puppy comes home, typically around 8-12 weeks of age. Remember, training doesn’t just happen during training sessions but with every interaction you have with your puppy. They are learning good or bad every minute in a whole new world !
This early start is recommended because inadequate socialization during the first two to three months of the puppy’s life can result in behavioral issues (including fears, phobias, avoidance, and aggression) that extend well into the dog’s life. The current thinking in the medical and behavioral world is that the benefits of attending classes early outweigh any possible health risks.
However, it’s important to note that training can start as soon as your puppy comes home, typically around 8-12 weeks of age. Remember, training doesn’t just happen during training sessions but with every interaction you have with your puppy. They are learning good or bad every minute in a whole new world !
VIPet's age range for puppy class is 8 weeks to 18 weeks of age. The number of puppies per class is up to four. We hear over and over again that corporate puppy classes have up to 8-10 puppies crammed into an hour time frame. We ask how can you and your puppy get adequate training with that many in a class....it's all about taking in more money . Having up to four allows adequate time for Theresa to devote quality attention to address questions and concerns ( Potty training, nipping, jumping, crate training etc.) Puppies will learn basic imprinting of commands (place/mat, sit, down, come, free) over a 4 week period in our air conditioned controlled environment.
You may ask "Where is the stay command?" It is of Theresa's belief that when giving a command (i.e. "sit") the dog shall learn to hold that command until released....hence the "free" command. If you want to incorporate a stay command, no problem....we just believe it is an extra command that is unnecessary. Your puppy will start to learn to hold a command until released. Of course a puppy's impulse control is very limited at this young age but it is so important to get that imprinting foundation in their sponge like brains. When your dog reaches 5 months and above this is where longer impulse control will start to happen. Also note you may use any word command for the behavior we are looking for as long as you are consistent. We were humored when one of our clients were ex military and used the word "bunker" instead of the place command. Again, consistency is key especially if there are numerous people involved with the training...which we encourage !!
You may ask "Where is the stay command?" It is of Theresa's belief that when giving a command (i.e. "sit") the dog shall learn to hold that command until released....hence the "free" command. If you want to incorporate a stay command, no problem....we just believe it is an extra command that is unnecessary. Your puppy will start to learn to hold a command until released. Of course a puppy's impulse control is very limited at this young age but it is so important to get that imprinting foundation in their sponge like brains. When your dog reaches 5 months and above this is where longer impulse control will start to happen. Also note you may use any word command for the behavior we are looking for as long as you are consistent. We were humored when one of our clients were ex military and used the word "bunker" instead of the place command. Again, consistency is key especially if there are numerous people involved with the training...which we encourage !!
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Left video is rear end awareness. Right video is Lola an introvert dog going trough a confidence building course which gets changed every week. Dogs need to get exposed to different textures and surfaces to face challenges in the real world.
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Puppy classes are every Saturday in VIPet's training building located at 3129 Tamiami Trail Unit "B" Port Charlotte Fl. 33952. Start time is 10:30 AM and please do not feed your puppy a full breakfast or not at all. Bring some yummy fav dog treats and a 6 foot leash. This is a 4 week course lasting an hour each session. Each week only one command will be introduced, for that will be your homework for the following week leading up to the next class. Theresa does not want to over whelm you with multiple commands at once, so you can focus on one at a time and fine tune it, then build from that each week. Depending on the puppies temperaments they will be allowed to playtime at the end of class off leash. This is where Theresa will teach you how to read your puppy's disposition and acceptable or unacceptable behavior with proper techniques to shut down the latter.
Even though puppies are a big challenge, Theresa loves this time frame for puppy dog training. This is where she teaches you with a hands on approach to shape your dog's behavior utilizing her "show and tell" method. She will show you the proper steps to use, handling your puppy herself while explaining in detail of what is transpiring. She will then hand over your fur baby to let you start the process, This is so she can critique and answer any questions you may have.....for you are the one whom will doing the "homework". Be forewarned.......she makes it look extremely easy, always staying one step ahead of the puppy effortlessly while communicating in a mild manner. You will make some training handling mistakes ....to be expected. That is the purpose of the show and tell method, so you may visualize first hand from the teacher of what is expected, then you the student can take over. A huge part of dog training is the training of the human element...the "pack leader".
Your puppy will be a lot of work... again it is a journey not a sprint. With Theresa's wealth of experience and knowledge your puppy will be on its way to being an awesome part of your life and family for years to come. Please contact VIPet for any questions or concerns you may have and start date for the next class. VIPet is looking forward to meeting and achieving expectations of the goals and needs you are looking for.
Even though puppies are a big challenge, Theresa loves this time frame for puppy dog training. This is where she teaches you with a hands on approach to shape your dog's behavior utilizing her "show and tell" method. She will show you the proper steps to use, handling your puppy herself while explaining in detail of what is transpiring. She will then hand over your fur baby to let you start the process, This is so she can critique and answer any questions you may have.....for you are the one whom will doing the "homework". Be forewarned.......she makes it look extremely easy, always staying one step ahead of the puppy effortlessly while communicating in a mild manner. You will make some training handling mistakes ....to be expected. That is the purpose of the show and tell method, so you may visualize first hand from the teacher of what is expected, then you the student can take over. A huge part of dog training is the training of the human element...the "pack leader".
Your puppy will be a lot of work... again it is a journey not a sprint. With Theresa's wealth of experience and knowledge your puppy will be on its way to being an awesome part of your life and family for years to come. Please contact VIPet for any questions or concerns you may have and start date for the next class. VIPet is looking forward to meeting and achieving expectations of the goals and needs you are looking for.