Puppy Preschool at McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time for a family. At McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery, we understand that the early stages of your puppy’s life are crucial for their development and socialisation. That’s why we offer Puppy Preschool – a specialised program designed to give your new family member the best start in life.

At McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery we offer small classes in a safe and relaxed environment for you and your puppy to learn. Classes are led by our experienced, qualified, reward-based trainer, Margaret, who can give you individual attention and training.

Why Enrol Your Puppy in Puppy Preschool?

1. Socialisation: The critical period for puppy socialisation is between 3 to 14 weeks of age. Puppy Preschool provides a safe and controlled environment where your puppy can interact with other dogs and people, helping them to develop essential social skills and preventing future behavioural issues. We accept puppies between 8-15 weeks of age who would most benefit during this important life stage.

2. Basic Training: Margaret is an experienced trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques to teach your puppy basic commands and good manners. Early training helps establish a strong foundation and builds a strong bond between you and your puppy. This training will also give you the skills you need to continue your dog’s training throughout its life.

3. Health and Wellness: During the puppy preschool sessions, our team will provide valuable information on puppy health care, including nutrition, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and more. This ensures that you are well-equipped to take care of your puppy’s physical health as they grow.

4. Confidence Building: New experiences can be overwhelming for your young puppy. Puppy Preschool helps build your puppy’s confidence by exposing them to different environments, sounds, and situations in a positive and supportive setting.

5. Owner Education: Puppy Preschool is not just for puppies, but for owners too. Our program includes informative sessions which cover a range of topics including grooming, dental care, and recognising early signs of illness. We also cover subjects important to new puppy owners such as mouthing, biting and toilet training. We provide you with the knowledge and tools to raise a happy, healthy puppy.

Classes fill quickly. Start today and call us on 8323 8522 and speak to our staff about enroling your puppy in our puppy preschool classes.

Meet Margaret

Margaret is our Puppy Preschool reward-based trainer. She is passionate about teaching owners how to have a great life with their puppies, and helping them through the critical, early few weeks together.

Margaret has been involved with the RSPCA for over 12 years. She continues to instruct training classes for them and, completing one-on-one consultations. Margaret volunteers with the RSPCA behaviour team, helping to resolve behavioural issues inorder for these dogs to find their new families.

Margaret is also a foster carer for the RSPCA. She mainly fosters puppies, and has cared for up to 17 at the last count! Margaret shares her life with a Border Collie called Ted, and lives in McLaren Vale with her husband Alan. Margaret is always happy to answer your questions.

Margaret has a CTT-A qualification, Canine Training Technician - Accredited, and has completed the Karen Pryor Puppy Instructor Course. She believes in continuing her education with ongoing courses, webinars, and conferences. She’s recently been working on the Karolina Westlund Advanced Animal Training Course.

Recent Puppy School Graduates

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