Puppy School Sevenoaks

27/08/2024

Sharing because it matters!

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22/08/2024

One of the benefits of joining us as a Puppy School tutor!

22/08/2024

📢 If you’ve been waiting to press send on your Puppy School Tutor application, this is your final call! The closing date for applications is Friday 23rd August.

❗️ After this, our next Tutor Training Course won’t be until autumn 2025, so if you want to become a Puppy School Tutor in the next 12 months, THIS IS IT!

In case you need a reminder, here are just some of the incredible benefits you get when you join the Puppy School family:
🐾 1. TRAINING: Comprehensive training and support during setup.
🐾 2. LEARN SKILLS: Individual coaching to learn training skills.
🐾 3. MENTORSHIP: Every tutor and associate is assigned their own Regional Manager to mentor you through your training and support you when running classes.
🐾 4. SPONSORSHIP: Incredible sponsorship benefits from our partner brands.
🐾 5. RESOURCES: Access to huge information resources.
🐾 6. BEHAVIOUR COURSES: APBC/ABTC-led behaviour training.
🐾 7. CPD: Exciting CPD courses, minimum of two free courses per year.
🐾 8. CONFERENCE: Exclusive Puppy School Conference.
🐾 9. FOLLOW-ON COURSES: Ready-made follow-on courses to keep your clients engaged.
🐾 10. ABTC MEMBERSHIP: Puppy School is a Practitioner Organisation for The Animal Behaviour and Training Council. Tutors are able to join the ABTC ATI register.
🐾 11. PARTNERSHIP DEALS: Exclusive partnership deals with supply companies.
🐾 12. THE PUPPY CLUB: Access to the online Puppy Club is included for all your clients.
🐾 13. ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT: Reduced administration for you.
🐾 14. WEBSITE: A ready-made, Puppy School branded website for your area.
🐾 15. ONE BIG FAMILY! Puppy School is made up of many like-minded individuals. The ethos is of encouragement for all, rather than criticism.

Apply now and start a new rewarding career with us this autumn: https://www.puppyschool.co.uk/join-us 🐾

15/08/2024

Two of my amazing Puppy School colleagues. Why not come and join us?

Do you want to be part of the UK’s biggest family of puppy trainers?

At Puppy School, we’ll make sure you’re never without support. You will undertake your Tutor Training Course with a group of like-minded trainers, and your cohort will be there for you all through training and when you set up your first puppy classes. Our incredible supportive family, with over 750 years of puppy training experience between them, will make your Puppy School experience fun, friendly and incredibly supportive, from initial training through to exciting CPD courses, and our exclusive biennial conference.

When you join the Puppy School family, you will become part of a regional team and have opportunities to meet throughout the year for fun socials as well as positive dog training workshops and seminars.

Join us, share common interests, make lifelong friends, and become part of our extensive supportive family.

📢 We are recruiting NOW for the autumn 2024 course, starting 31st August. This will be the final chance to join the Puppy School family until autumn 2025, so don’t miss out! For more details and to apply, see: https://www.puppyschool.co.uk/join-us

09/08/2024

🐕 Looking for professional accreditation in animal training? Is it a goal of yours to become an accredited Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the ABTC?

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is the industry leader in providing accreditation for welfare-led animal training across the UK. Puppy School is proud to be an ABTC Practitioner Organisation, which means that we are able to teach and prepare our Puppy School Tutors to learn puppy training to a high enough standard to take the ABTC ATI assessment.

We offer comprehensive tutor training, taught by a range of experienced tutors, including Clinical Animal Behaviourists Gwen Bailey and Catherine Tomlinson.

Once you’ve qualified with Puppy School, you’ll receive free access to behaviour courses given by Nicole Harris BA(Hons) PGDip CABC CCAB (Puppy Tales - Puppy Training Specialists). Nicole is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and ATI with ABTC, committee member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), and a Certified member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC).

📢 We are recruiting NOW for the autumn 2024 course, starting 31st August. This will be the final chance to join the Puppy School family until autumn 2025, so don’t miss out! For more details and to apply, see: https://www.puppyschool.co.uk/join-us

30/07/2024

Any of my ‘graduates’ out there want to win this amazing book by the Puppy School founder?

23/07/2024

A chance to win a copy of Gwen Bailey’s best selling book the Perfect Puppy. Gwen set up Puppy School over 20 years ago and many thousands of puppy parents have benefitted from her books and the Puppy School classes which are run by our tutors across the country.

My classes are held in Ide Hill Sevenoaks. Check them out on Facebook or at http://puppyschoolsevenoaks.co.uk.

18/07/2024

A really helpful post about teething and puppy behaviour from a Puppy School colleague

🦷

This is a puppy tooth from the mouth of a 19 week old puppy which fell out during puppy class

Why am I showing it to you?

Because this particular puppy has struggled in class when she didn't normally

She was restless, distracted and vocal. She didn't want to engage with training, she was obsessively trying to get to the other puppies and less motivated by food. She was frustrated. When touched she was MUCH more bitey

When owners are faced with this behaviour they are often concerned; in these moments they are unable to train their puppy. They feel like their training isn't working

But actually this is just a symptom of pain and I frequently see it happening in puppy class. Puppies usually begin with me at around 12-14 weeks of age. I get to know them well and I can tell when they are teething

Because their behaviour in classes *always* changes, often very drastically at around 18-20 weeks

Why? Because they are struggling with the pain

Juvenile humans usually receive pain relief during teething. It's not standard for puppies

My advice? Scale everything back, it doesn't matter if you can't get your puppy to do ask asked, it doesn't matter if they are not interested in what you're trying to teach them

Get a bit of space, give them a natural chew or stuffed Kong (or whatever soothes them), allow them safe destruction games, lower your expectations and expect more biting. Offer softer treats, higher value may be needed, scattering treats and encouraging sniffing can help calm them down. They may not deal so well with touch and their off-switch may be disabled, with their interactions with people or other dogs becoming too intense. Let them deal with what they are going through and don't put them into situations they cannot cope with at this time

Because getting firm with them really isn't going to help and will actually teach them that you're not to be trusted when they are struggling ☹️
_______________________

👋𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐒𝐜(𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐬)

🐾𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭
🐕𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐓𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫
🐕‍🦺𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫
📋𝐀𝐁𝐓𝐂-𝐀𝐓𝐈

🔹𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 🔹𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 🔹 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🔹

𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐚𝐰𝐬.𝐜𝐨.𝐮𝐤

17/07/2024

Have you seen trainers who use Ecollars say that they are just used for communication and that they don’t use aversives? They may describe an ecollar as a ‘tap on the shoulder’ to get a dog’s attention. An ecollar is designed to be aversive, it’s a form of punishment and at a minimum it causes discomfort and at higher levels it causes pain. If you just want to get a dog’s attention and their focus there are a thousand other ways to do that which don’t cause pain or discomfort.

Using an ecollar may well stop your dog doing things you don’t like as it’s a form of punishment and that’s what punishment does, it reduces behaviours. Punishment reduces behaviour as the dog finds the consequence unpleasant. They may stop barking and lunging at other dogs/kids on scooters/joggers but you won’t change how they feel about things they find scary in a positive way and you won’t make them less fearful.

You may suppress behaviour but you may also remove the only means they have to communicate with you and if you are working with fear-based behaviours this can be incredibly risky. You may have stopped them barking and lunging (as they are now scared to bark or lunge) but what will they do now that you’ve removed those behaviours- are they going to feel happier about the kid on the scooter going past them? How do they feel about the world around them- have you helped them to feel more or less safe? There’s always a risk of fallout and creating new fear-based behaviours that weren’t present before.

I hope trainers who use punishment can at least be honest about what they are doing, some absolutely are but some try and pretend they aren’t using aversives at all.

17/07/2024

Puppy Classes - Ide Hill Village Hall
Have you recently brought a new puppy home? Are you looking for classes over the summer holidays?
My next course with availability starts on Tuesday 30th July at 8 p.m. at Ide Hill Village Hall. You can use this link https://client.puppyschool.co.uk/.../5097B9FD-5C16-447A... to book any of my classes
My name is Catherine Pleasance and I have been running puppy classes for over 8 years. In that time I have had the pleasure of helping 'puppy parents' to train over 1,000 puppies. I am Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered, trained in the latest scientifically proven kind, reward-based methods by Puppy School.
"Catherine is a magician. Every class was a joy and led with great enthusiasm and patience". Millie and Crumble the Wheaten Terrier
My classes are held, all year round, at Ide Hill Village Hall on Tuesday evenings at 6.45 p.m. or 8 p.m. I am also available for private consultations lessons. Visit my website www.puppyschoolsevenoaks.co.uk for more information and up to date availability or call or text/WhatsApp me on 07795 675634. I look forward to hearing from you.

14/07/2024

Top left is puppy Margot, currently being taught by me. Thanks to Jane for letting me take the photo.

07/07/2024

Thinking about a career as a dog trainer? Why not join Puppy School where you will get expert, professional tuition and the support of experienced colleagues from across the country?

Our trainee Tutors had an excellent time on their practical days recently. They had three full days of being hands on with puppies from a variety of breeds and ages. They all now have to independently complete their coursework, and then they will be ready to teach your puppies out in the wild!

Trainee Tutor Sally said about the course: “Such a valuable experience working with some wonderful puppies and their owners with the great support from my fellow trainees and out lovely tutors”, while Beck said it was “a brilliant experience, refining skills and building confidence”.

Are you interested in positive reinforcement training, keen to run your own work schedule, and want to be part of a community of experienced and accredited tutors? We want to hear from you! Applications are now open for our Autumn Tutor Training Course. For more information and how to apply see: https://www.puppyschool.co.uk/vacancies

30/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/y7hjvsv7mCJyuvUD/?mibextid=WC7FNe

At Puppy School, we embrace and celebrate all breeds, and we extend this same welcome to every person who comes through our doors. No matter your background, beliefs, or orientations, you're always welcome here, whether you're a proud puppy parent or a dedicated Puppy School Tutor.

Wishing you a joyful and inclusive International LGBT Pride Day! 🌈

Thank you Surrey and South London Dog Training and Behaviour for this wonderful photo.

23/06/2024

I’m in here somewhere enjoying the 2 day Puppy School Conference in the Forest of Dean with 80+ colleagues and their dogs. Fantastic event full of dedicated force free trainers.

10/06/2024

My Puppy School Sevenoaks classes, held at Ide Hill Village Hall cost £125 for a six week course. June and early July courses are fully booked, but I have spaces at the end of July. Take a look at my website http://www.puppyschoolsevenoaks.co.uk for upcoming course dates.

Feeling the pinch of rising costs? 💸 We get it. But investing in puppy training isn't just a luxury - it's a smart move for your pup and your wallet! 🐾 Our classes may vary in cost, but they'll set you back no more than the equivalent of an evening meal out. And trust us, the benefits are priceless. From saving on home repairs, to bonding with your furry friend, it's an investment that pays off in the long run. Plus, you'll meet other local puppy owners and learn invaluable skills along the way. Ready to give your pup the best start? Let's make it happen! 🐶💕⁠
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If you’ve been to our puppy classes, please share with others in the comments how valuable it was to you.⁠
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31/05/2024

Find information about my Puppy School Sevenoaks classes here puppyschoolsevenoaks

29/05/2024

Exciting news – we are delighted to share that we will be speaking at this year’s BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) Congress.

Our Founder and Director, Gwen Bailey, along with Puppy School Tutor Louise Otter (Surrey and South London Dog Training and Behaviour), will be presenting on Sunday 13th October. Our talk is titled “Puppy greetings – the new puppy play” and we will share with Veterinary Nurses a new way for puppies to meet each other calmly and safely, making it easier for them to develop positive relationships with others and with their vet practice.

Early bird booking is open until 31st July, get your tickets from the BVNA website: https://bvna2024.eventreference.com/

Comment below if you’re a Veterinary professional and tell us if you’ll be attending this year’s congress, we'd love to see you there!

29/05/2024

You can now review us on facebook!

If you have benefitted from a Puppy School course, we would be extremely grateful if you would leave us a review on our page. Please do include your Puppy School Tutor’s name, if you can, so we can give them the good news. 😊

Find our review section by clicking onto our page, and click "Reviews". Or, if you're viewing this on your laptop or desktop, you can click this link https://www.facebook.com/PuppySchool/reviews/

20/05/2024

I am so proud to be part of this amazing team and of the Puppy School family. Gwen Bailey has created the most caring and supportive group of trainers and behaviourists and each of us can draw on the varied knowledge and expertise of all of the others to improve our own practice and give the best possible guidance to the ‘owners’ of the puppies and dogs that we help to train.

Check out my classes here - www.puppyschoolsevenoaks.co.uk or use the Puppy School website and pages to find our tutors across the country.

18/05/2024

12/05/2024

At Puppy School, we teach you how to help your puppy to understand that not everyone wants to be jumped on when saying hello 😊

It’s really important, especially if your puppy is going to grow into a large dog, that you teach them how to greet people nicely and politely. This is something that you’ll learn in your Puppy School class, and our tutors will help you to make sure that you leave feeling successful.

Find your nearest class here: https://www.puppyschool.co.uk/find-a-class 🐾🩷

09/05/2024

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08/05/2024

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but can be confusing and overwhelming.

I am the ABTC registered Puppy School Tutor for the Sevenoaks area. I've helped puppy parents train over 1,000 puppies in the last 8 years and I'm here to support you with puppy training, husbandry/welfare and socialisation from your puppy's earliest days. Take a look at my website www.puppyschoolsevenoaks.co.uk and my page. My next course with availability starts on Tuesday 11th June at 8 p.m at Ide Hill Village Hall and I'm also available for private lessons. If you'd like to get in touch, I'm happy to chat, or send me an email, WhatsApp or text message. 07795 675634 [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

Puppy training classes in the Sevenoaks area of Kent for puppies under 20 weeks. Courses are held indoors and run by a trained/approved Puppy School tutor.

24/04/2024

Take a look at the benefits of joining a Puppy School class. Mine run throughout the year on Tuesday evenings at Ide Hill Village Hall. There are currently places available in June and July, or ask to join a waiting list for places in May.

20/04/2024

If you have a young puppy and are looking for an experienced, accredited, professional reward-based trainer, look no further than Puppy School.

Continuing our National Pet Month series, we are raising awareness of the role of pet care specialists.

Did you know, in the UK there are no legal restriction on calling yourself a dog trainer, even if the person has had no formal training themselves! At Puppy School, we are a group of highly qualified, accredited, and regulated trainers. Every Puppy School tutor has been through a selection process, has completed our specialist course, developed by world-renowned Behaviourist and author, Gwen Bailey, and has conducted written and practical assessments. Our tutors are regularly audited, to ensure that what we teach is in line with the latest scientific research, and Puppy School is a Practitioner Organisation of The Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

When you book with Puppy School, you know you are getting a puppy training specialist.

Find your nearest class here: https://www.puppyschool.co.uk/find-a-class 🐾