Puppy Preschool Information:

Puppy preschool originated because of the traditional thinking that puppies must be kept away from others until they are immune to disease, that is until after their final puppy vaccination.  However, the critical time in a puppy's behavioural development is 4 to 14 weeks, during which time puppies need to learn how to respond appropriately to other dogs and people.  Keeping puppies in isolation breeds anxiety and aggression towards anything unfamiliar.

What a puppy experiences now will determine their social acceptability for the rest of their lives.  Puppy Preschool provides a safe, controlled environment where dogs can meet other, vaccinated dogs and be socialised without risk of disease.

Puppies should be exposed to as many experiences as possible (car rides, noisy situations, children and other dogs) in a way that doesn't scare them.  The leading cause of death in dogs under 2 years old is not disease or road accidents, but unsociable behavioural problems resulting in euthanasia.

There are several puppy preschools on the North Shore.  Kelly O'Neill is a qualified veterinary nurse who runs Happy Pawes Dog Day Care and Training Centre just off Wairau Road.  Kelly runs puppy preschool courses as well as dog training classes for older dogs.  For more information visit her website www.happypawes.co.nz.

North Shore Dog Training Club Inc. runs puppy obedience courses from six months of age, but because there is often a waiting list we recommend you phone now to book your place. Phone 413-8670.