Melville Animal Hospital

Puppy Classes

The key to raising a happy, well-adjusted and responsible dog lies in the early training and socialisation of your puppy.

Consistency, patience and praise [positive reinforcement], can help your puppy to grow into your ‘perfect’ dog.

Your dog is a pack animal, and their pack is your family. Your understanding of this is very important. Puppies do not view us as people; we are simply ‘funny-looking’ dogs.

Starting early is the key to successful socialisation: there is a limited window of time between 8 and 16 weeks of age, beyond which, new types of social interactions cannot be adapted to. Homes, backyards, vets, streets, parks, beaches, etc. allow your pup to meet other animals and many people, from babies to older people. However at this age until protection from vaccinations is complete, most external environments carry too high a risk of exposure to viral diseases, especially Parvovirus.

Puppy Pre-school at our hospital is a safer place for your puppy. They can socialise, learn good manners and obedience in a safe, controlled environment. These classes, which are run weekly over 4 weeks, also help to make future trips to our hospital a less stressful, even enjoyable event!

We aim to help you:

• Communicate clearly with your dog
• Get your dog to respond to a range of commands
• Raise a well-mannered dog
• Socialise your dog appropriately and safely
• Care for your dog’s general health through good diet, appropriate medications, regular examinations, vaccinations and grooming

Remember: please don’t feed your puppy in the two hours before the class

We are pleased to announce that Melville Animal Hospital now run Pre-Obedience classes held at the Attadale Foreshore.

These classes are for puppies that have previously attended Puppy Preschool.

Puppies from 18 weeks up to 6 months of age are welcome to attend. These classes teach your puppy to obey commands with added distraction from other dogs and different environments.

Jo Rowe is a qualified veterinary nurse who you may see at Melville Animal Hospital from time to time and a qualified trainer for PUPI.

Jo has been running these classes and Obedience Training down at the foreshore for your friends so they can become the polite well mannered dogs we all hope to have! Jo also works with your friend’s individual needs and further classes may be recommended if they have different requirements. Jo may also recommend individual training or advice if necessary.

Obedience Training caters for adult dogs over 8 months of age and is also held at Attadale Foreshore. This is advanced training and is suitable for any dogs over 6 months of age. Please make sure you book in advance as these classes fill quickly.

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to make a booking as all bookings are made through Melville Animal Hospital.