Introduce your puppy step-by-step. Please visit my blog for a photo essay on how to do this. www.sensiblek9.blogspot.com
We go lots of fun places on our guided field trips!
Field trips are open for all puppy class participants, either current or graduated! Once a month, we will gather at a different location for real life training tips and exploration. You can ask questions, get help with adolescent behavior and connect with other class members. Ongoing socialization during the first year of your puppy's life is critical to his behavioral success.
Email Catherine for location of this month's field trip, held the fourth Saturday of the month. Catherine@Sensiblek9.com
Children are very welcome to come to puppy class! Puppies need to be exposed to children! If the child is under 8 years old, we ask that another adult be present to guide the child so that one adult can focus on the puppy. Please prepare your child to follow the instructor's requests about safely interacting with the puppies. There will be times when the children will need to sit quietly, so please bring a toy or book as well.
Please bring your puppy on a simple buckle collar and 4' or 6' nylon or leather leash. If your puppy needs different equipment as he matures, Catherine may recommend a head halter or Easy Walk body harness. Also, please bring a mat or pillow for you to sit on with your puppy during calming exercises. Your puppy may also enjoy a chew toy during quiet times.
We recommend bringing a slightly hungry puppy to class. Just skip his evening meal, package it with a few bits of lunchmeat or cheese to add flavor and plan to feed him for good behavior during class.
The floors at MRAH are sanitized prior to puppy class beginning. So long as your puppy is in the process of his vaccination series, he will be safe. Veterinarians agree that a greater risk is keeping your puppy at home, without socialization, during these critical weeks.
Guided Field Trips will be held in public areas with minimal dog traffic. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations regarding participation. Puppies older than 12 weeks are usually encouraged to attend.
See this recommendation from Purdue University Veterinary School:
Each Wednesday night class is 1 hour. Your tuition includes 5 weeks of consecutive group classes and unlimited, monthly field trips until your puppy is one year. The guided field trip is one hour long.
Becky and Rudy enjoying a chilly field trip!
Catherine Steinke,BA, CPDT-KA, of Sensible K9, LLC, began training puppies in 1978 for a guide dog organization. She has helped select and train working search and rescue dogs, service dogs, hearing dogs, therapy dogs and pet companions.
She has 11 years professional instructing experience, teaching puppy classes for pet owners. She has instructed veterinary school students in the development of puppy classes at Purdue University.
Catherine makes puppy classes fun and educational for the puppy and his owner!
For more information, please visit www.SensibleK9.com or call (317) 727-9015
We go lots of fun places on our guided field trips!
Becky and Rudy enjoying a chilly field trip!
