Preparing Your Puppy For Preschool: 5 Tips
If you have recently welcomed a furry friend into your home, you may be a bit overwhelmed right now, but don't worry — that's normal. To help ease the transition, one of the best things you can do is enrol your dog in puppy preschool. Below are some tips to make sure they get the most out of it.
1. Socialise Early And Often
Socialisation begins from day one with your new pup, so start as soon as possible. There are socialisation classes available for puppies, which can help them get used to being around other people and animals. During these classes, introduce them to different situations and environments that they may encounter in their life. This will help them become more confident and better adjusted when meeting new people or animals later in life.
2. Teach Basic Obedience Commands
Teaching your pup basic obedience commands such as 'sit', 'down', 'stay' and 'come' will go a long way at puppy preschool. Having a good grasp on these commands before attending class will allow your pup to focus more on learning how to interact with other dogs instead of trying to figure out what you want them to do. Plus, having a few tricks up their sleeve will surely impress the other pups.
3. Get Them Used To New Environments And People
Before starting puppy preschool, take some time to acclimate your pup to different environments that they may experience during class, such as walking on different surfaces or being around unfamiliar people or animals. The more exposure they get before attending class, the better prepared they will be for all the exciting things that come with puppy school.
4. Make Sure They Have Lots of Playtime And Exercise
A tired pup is a well-behaved pup! Before attending class, make sure they have plenty of playtimes and exercise each day so that they are not overly excited or hyper during class time.
5. Introduce Positive Reinforcement Techniques
Positive reinforcement techniques are essential when teaching puppies how to behave properly and helping them learn new skills, such as responding promptly to commands or walking nicely on a leash without pulling or tugging too much. Try using treats or verbal praise when rewarding desired behaviours, as this will help reinforce good habits while also teaching them how to respond appropriately in various situations.
If you would like to find out more, contact a puppy preschool such as Findon Vet Surgery today.