Course Checklist

This checklist was collated, as from experience, these suggestions really help you achieve the best results:

• Directions – It might sound obvious, but know where to be and park.  Someone ALWAYS gets lost.  Don’t be that person : )

• Time – Arrive ten minutes before the start.  You will need this time to park up and give your pup the opportunity to toilet & have a relaxing sniff after your journey.  Make sure you’ve read our article on Car Travel.    We will enter the hall as a group, late comers will not be allowed in.

• When outside the venue, we advise keeping your dog at a distance and avoid greetings.  Some of the dogs might be shy and you should aim to keep them as calm as possible before classes.  They will have plenty of time to greet throughout the course.  If your dog is barking, please be mindful of the neighbours and increase distance.  Make sure you have read Puppy Class Etiquette.

• Vaccination Certificate (Puppy School Only) – without this you will not be able to stay for the first session.

• One soft non-squeaky Toy like Tug-E-Nuff (Puppy School Only) – to use to redirect puppy fangs if needed.

• One natural Chew, such as a pizzel stick, tripe stick or pigs ear.  Avoid Rawhide and low value chews, as these will not work in an exciting class to help keep your pup calm and quiet.  We sell top grade chews at class otherwise we highly recommend stocking up from our Online Shop.

• Lots of highly salient small bite sized treats, (Sprats, Innocent Hound or Pet Munchies work best), we recommend natural  high protein and avoid processed such as Wagg, Bakers, Pedigree.  Check out our Online Shop for our recommendations of the best healthy treats.

• Recommended – Flat collar with quick release clip & short lead.  Strictly no check/chain collars, flexi, extendable or chain leads.  The best lead is the Halti Training Lead and the Halti Padded Collar, available to buy at class or in our Online Shop.  

• Hungry Dog – please do not feed your dog prior to class.  Physical activity after eating will be detrimental to their health and your treats will not hold as much value.

• Tired Dog – Try to provide gentle exercise for your dog before class.  This will aid focus and decrease arousal and vocal behaviour, making life easier for both of you.  Just avoid play with other pups in the car park, as advised in our Puppy Class Etiquette article.

• Confident Dog – For comfort, please bring your dogs Mat/Blanket (vetbed™ is ideal and available in our Online Shop).  The familiar smells will help your dog to settle.

• Water Bowl – research has shown keeping well hydrated whilst learning will improve performance & aid comfort.  Non-drip bowls are available to buy at class or our Online Shop.  If you are using a normal bowl, please bring a towel to place under the bowl to prevent spillage in the hall.

• Waste bags – there is strictly no waste disposal on or around site, as the halls are used daily for pre-school groups.  Because your dog would have not eaten prior to class, in the unlikely event your dog does have an accident, please bag it up and take it with you.  If you do see someone disposing of waste on site, please let us know, as anyone caught doing so will be asked not to return.

• Please switch all mobiles to silent/vibrate before entering the hall.

Thank you and see you soon!