Puppy Page
Desi & Oliver
Puppies are learning from the very first day they are out of the womb. They are learning about the world around them, whether or not to trust people, how to get what they need and want, how to play, etc. The critical period for socialization is almost always wasted away for puppies, and they begin their lives in their forever homes with a social deficiency. According to Dr. Ian Dunbar, the world's foremost expert on puppyhood, puppies should meet about 100 people BEFORE they are eight weeks old, and ANOTHER 100 people in the next four weeks. That's 200 different people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors BEFORE they are 12 weeks old! Many of us don't even get our puppies until after this time has elapsed. Don't wait another week or two for puppy class to begin, get that puppy out there meeting people! Begin at-home training on day one as well. If you're not teaching them constructively and proactively, then they may learn and develop some pretty challenging behaviors. We have several options to get your puppy started on the right paw.
Puppy Social Skills Class: For puppies up to 5 months old as of the start date. This class, based on Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Sirius Puppy Training Curriculum, is largely off-leash. Puppies interact with one another, and learn impulse control & bite inhibition. We teach them to listen, respond to directions, and offer good behaviors off-leash, right from the start! Includes introducing your puppy to different people and dogs, forming a strong bond, and a good family dog by setting clear house rules and setting your puppy up to form good habits. Six Week Class is $250.00
VIRTUAL PUPPY & MANNERS CLASS ~ Recorded May 2020 on ZOOM (4 weeks, $100)
Upcoming Puppy Social Skills Class Start Dates:
May 6, 2024 ~ 6:30-7:20 PM at Choice Pet Supply, 535 Monroe Tpke Monroe CT*
*(Combined w/Basic Canine Life Skills - over four months old)
May 8, 2024 ~ Weds 6:00-6:50 PM at Choice Pet Supply, 63 Washington Ave North Haven CT
PRE-PUPPY PLANNING & PUPPY-PROOFING: A 2-hour, private session to prepare for a new puppy. $150 via Zoom. $50 applied toward the purchase of a training package.
PUPPY EVALUATION: Assess any puppy you are considering for adoption,
$100, $50 applied toward the purchase of training package.
Private sessions cover household manners, and are held in your home. REAL WORLD classes are held in public settings, at a different location each week. Special attention is given to socializing puppies in a friendly fashion. Locations include shopping centers and busy parks or walkways. Puppies are socialized to many people, as well as well-behaved older dogs who are taking the same classes to practice their good behaviors in public settings.
AWSOME LINKS AND DOWNLOADS FOR GREAT PUPPY INFO:
Dr. IAN DUNBAR’S ACADEMY of resources (free and paid subscriptions)
BEFORE you Get Your Puppy (Book by Dr. Ian Dunbar, free download)
AFTER you Get Your Puppy (Book by Dr. Ian Dunbar, free download)
Dr. Sophia Yin Socialization Checklist
Sirius Puppy Raising Initiative (for Owners)
Sirius Puppy Raising Initiative (for Breeders, Vets, & puppy professionals)
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - Position Statement on Puppy Socialization
Letter from Dr. RK Anderson - Vaccination & Socialization should go together