with large gaps – at least 6-to-10 feet -- between helps puppies settle into hanging out calmly by their person . Some families will bring everyone along , so make sure we group them together . This allows puppies to focus on their own people and be reinforced for being with them in a group class . If there is a puppy that is overstimulated , we may use some baby gates or panels that may help block their visual stimulation . It ’ s incredibly important to make sure the puppy ’ s family understand these visual blocks are not because their puppy is doing anything wrong , but you just want to ensure the puppy is comfortable and the goal is to slowly get them acclimated to the visual stimulation of other puppies in the room . The herding and working breeds are bred to have advanced skills around noticing changes and movement in their environment , therefore the beginning of a group class may be more challenging for them . So , let ’ s set them up for success .
Down Time Support : In between exercises , there is always some talking . This can be a frustrating time for people and the pups . If the students have not brought something for their pup to do , can you offer the pups something to chew on ? We have stuffed Toppls ready to go for puppy class , along with a big basket of longer lasting chews of various types available if anyone needs them . The basket goes out in the beginning of class . IF anyone needs a break , they can grab something . In the downtime for class in between exercises , we want the pups to practice lying next to their people happily and quietly chewing on something . This skill – being around other pups , not interacting but being calm and hanging with their person — is SO important and the cornerstone of so many future successes . There is a lot happening in this seemingly small space in class , but it is such an excellent foundation to be practicing .
Equipment : We know that loose leash walking is not going to be magically learned by week 2 of puppy class in a 13-week-old puppy . There will always be a puppy pulling and pulling on their tiny , thin puppy collar , sometimes coughing due to this . Can you offer a harness while in class ? Having a variety of extra harnesses to loan a family while in class is a great way to help them learn how to look for a nonrestrictive harness . It also opens the conversation on some tips to help with leash work . Additionally , if you sell these harnesses , it ’ s a good example of why they are important to use . Pulling on a leash in class can sometimes be embarrassing to people , even though we know this is a normal part of puppies exploring the world .
Periphery Support : We always have several bottles of Adaptil and our own logo bandanas in all classes . If we notice a puppy comes into the first weeks and is showing signs of stress , we ask the client if they would like a small bandana with some dog-appeasing pheromone on it . While this may only be a tiny piece of the support you can provide , it ’ s a layer that has no contraindications and can be a helpful support . It also shows your clients that you are well prepared for any behaviors that are thrown your way . This
small gesture I think also sometimes has a placebo effect and can help the parents relax if they know the pups are being supported in this way .
Client Support : Put yourself in their shoes . It ’ s all new , and many clients are novice puppy owners . It ’ s our job to provide a supportive learning space for both client and puppy . Make sure you and your staff can recognize stress on the human side . Offering kind words of support will make or break your client ’ s first classes . Pointing our little successes – good leash handling , great timing , capturing bits of a bigger behavior , ability to redirect the puppy – all these things are skills that we may take for granted . Reinforcing the client and pointing out these are skills they are building is so helpful to someone who is not quite sure how the bigger puzzle goes together . Puppies that bark in class are often frustrated , so recognizing this immediately and having an instructor or assistant help that person is a small step that can go a long way . Showing them how to engage the pup and then work on relaxing in a group setting is a life skill that they will use forever . While we may not get worried about some barking , many families are embarrassed over this normal puppy behavior and feel there are judgements about their puppy in this group setting .
Creating a safe , supportive space for new puppy owners in a group setting provides them a place where learning is more likely to occur . By quickly recognizing when a client needs a bit of help , this provides a parallel learning environment where they can see what YOU do to help the pup and then they can mimic your support when you are not there to help . A successful puppy class experience is so important for puppies in our care , but also a good business practice . When clients recognize your ability to meet their dog ’ s needs and support them , it opens the rest of your offerings to become more appealing . Puppy class is a stepping stone for so many things to come . Three cheers to positive puppy classes !
Heather Mishefske CPDT-KA , CBCC-KA is the owner of emBARK in Eau Claire , Wisconsin where she teaches group classes and offers behavior consulting . She has a special passion for puppies and their people and has learned from over 5000 puppies coming through her classes since her business ’ s beginning in 2005 . Heather also sits on the APDT Board of Directors and is a trustee with the APDT Foundation . She can be found outside in the woods and prairies in any and all weather every day with her Flat Coated Retrievers . She can be reached at her website www . embarkdog . com
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2022 55