At long last! Puppy pre-school started at the Small Animal Hospital on Tuesday 15 January following the extensive co-operative effort by a number of staff across the Vet School. The classes have a strong focus on behavioural development and positive-reinforcement training and help prepare owners for the ongoing challenges of puppyhood and adolescence.
Most health information is provided in written format for owners to read and absorb in their own time when they are not also trying to deal with a frustrated puppy.
All puppies were able to give their owners attention for short periods and to respond to several simple cues, even with the distraction of other puppies reasonably close by. These exercises help puppies improve their impulse control, which is vital to work on as early as possible, to help puppies become more manageable adolescents. The puppies explored a simple obstacle course with a variety of tactile surfaces and changes in gradient to aid proprioceptive development. By-products of this kind of training are developing puppies’ sociability and confidence through exposure to noises, smells, shapes and textures that they may not come across at home.
The first evening appeared to be well-received by participants, with all five puppies going home tired and with full tummies. Hopefully, all owners and puppies are looking forward to Week 2 as much as the staff are!