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Puppy school is a fantastic
opportunity to teach your puppy desired behaviours as well as exposing
him to a variety of stimulus in a safe environment.
A pup that has been well
socialised is able to be a calmer and more reliable companion and less
prone to destructive, anxious or boisterous behaviour.
The entire family is
encouraged to attend classes as this ensures that the puppy's training
is understood by all concerned. It's also lots of fun! |
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Click on the links
below for more information:
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The Importance Of
Puppy Classes
All too often
owners wait until their dog's behaviour has become a problem before they
start training. While progress is definitely on the cards with older
dogs, the impact that a good puppy socialising school has on a puppy
throughout its life cannot be understated. In addition to being
socialised with other dogs (which greatly reduces aggressive behaviour
as an adult) puppies also learn to apply a thought process to new
stimuli i.e. they don't automatically use aggression or fear to handle
new situations as adults.
Puppy school provides the perfect opportunity for puppies to polish
their canine communication skills, which are interrupted when they leave
their mother and littermates. Puppies also get socialised to children
and different types of people. This is one of the most valuable lessons
you can teach your new puppy.
All types of puppies (pedigreed and crossbreeds) should enrol in a
recognised puppy school. Family pets, show dogs and working dogs in
particular benefit as the training stands them in good stead for their
future "career", be it family guardian, show stopper or lovable mutt!
As a good owner you ensure that your
puppy receives his vaccinations to prevent disease - puppy school could be
likened to a behavioural vaccination. A lot of potential problems can be
averted by undergoing the Super Pup course.
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What Is Reward-Based
Obedience?
Owners
are taught how to get their puppy obeying simple commands such as: sit, down,
stay and heel.
All puppy training commands are taught with hand
signals from Day One, which is particularly useful for domestic purposes. A
treat or toy is given as a reward for complying. Because
this training is reward-based the puppies do it because they want to - NOT
because they are avoiding punishment. This type of training conditions the dog
to LOVE TO LISTEN and is much more pleasant and effective for the puppy and the
owner.
Dogs also learn much quicker with
reward-based training and it's easy for the whole family to do. Over the past
decade we have refined the use of reward-based training to an art. Even when
treats are phased out the dogs still respond smartly and reliably.
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Puppy Problems
By using canine behaviour techniques, handlers
achieve their objectives of getting their puppy to understand their
requirements. We cover all of the "usual" puppy problems, such as:
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Nipping
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Chewing
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Digging
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Jumping Up
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Lead Pulling
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Boisterous Behaviour
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Sensory Stimulation
All
too often puppies are raised in "sterile" environments and find it difficult to
cope with anything new as adults - which can have disastrous consequences.
Super Pup trainers expose the puppies to a variety of different
stimuli (at appropriate levels) such as loud sudden noises, fireworks, flapping
umbrellas, banging doors, etc.
It's amazing to see how
adaptable these puppies are - before the magic age of 16 weeks, anything
introduced positively and sensibly is generally accepted without question by
these "super dogs in training".
All obstacles and exercises are designed
with maximum benefit and safety as a priority. Super Pup trainers are dedicated
to ensuring that your pup has fun while learning and all in a safe environment.
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Super
Pup trainers
also include
tunnels and mazes as part of the programme. These exercises are designed to
teach the puppies "where their body starts and stop" - we've all seen clumsy
puppies who grow up into boisterous dogs with little apparent sense of depth or
balance.
While the obstacles can be a little
scary to pups initially, they are desensitised and a positive association is
created.
This in itself is a valuable lesson as it teaches the pup behavioural resilience
- this coping skill is incredibly important and one that is largely overlooked
in many other puppy programmes.
After one or two lessons the puppy
actively wants to do the obstacles because they are such fun!
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Physical Examinations
A
major part of any dog's life is being able to tolerate being touched, whether it
is by the owners, a vet or strangers. So a lot of importance is given to
physically handling the puppies.
Your Super Pup trainer will ensure that your
puppy is
examined by a mock vet and your pup will also be exposed to items that he will be
likely to encounter in a vet's rooms.
Owners
are also taught how to examine their own puppies and how to manage and control
their puppy during a trip to the vet - an outing that many owners (and their
dogs) dread.
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Coping Skills
A good puppy class
will also teach puppies to be able to cope with not always getting their
own way - this behavioural resilience creates a puppy that is less
demanding on their owners and more able to cope with the challenges that
life presents. Puppies that are denied this teaching can grow up to be
intolerant, impatient, anxious and in some cases aggressive. It would be
great if our dogs never had to cope with challenges or frustration, but
let's be honest even staying at home while you're at work is frustrating
for a pup, so we believe it is imperative to teach puppies how to cope
with this.
A good example is
illustrated left. All this puppy wanted to do was chase the sheep. He
was obviously denied this activity and as soon as he paid any attention
to his owner he was rewarded. The pup is being taught that he cannot
always get his own way and if he exercises some self-control he will be
rewarded handsomely!
Super Pup trainers
are well versed in the benefits and techniques of teaching these coping skills
- this is one of the unique aspects that sets Super Pup trainers ahead
of the pack.
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About The Courses
Each
Super Pup trainer runs their own courses, with most course running for two months, with six one-hour lessons. Puppies can start
at 8 - 10 weeks of age. They should have had the second of their three
puppy inoculations and must be suitably protected against ticks and
fleas and up to date on their deworming programme.
Super Pup trainers each have a
set list of goals for owners to achieve with
their pups. This goal-setting ensures that we all actively work toward
something - it's easy to get side-tracked with all those cute pups
running around!
Super Pup trainers ensure that play becomes learning and learning becomes play! The
goals also ensure that owners are shown the tools to get the most from
their lovely pups.
Please request exact class details from the
Super Pup trainer in your area.
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The Trainers
All Super Pup
trainers undergo a stringent certification process which includes theory
and practical sessions. They are assessed by one of the country's
leading canine behaviour and training specialists.
All trainers
adhere to a code of ethics and are obliged to attend on-going education
opportunities to retain their certification.
All trainers agree to abide
by a Code
Of Ethics and any violation of this is taken very seriously. Any complaints are please to be
reported to
watchdog@superpup.co.za.
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Enrolments
Most Super Pup trainers operate enrolments
on these courses on a "first come first served" basis.
Please request exact details from the
Super Pup trainer in your area.
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