Choosing the perfect puppy class
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an incredibly exciting time for all the family and you’ll want to be doing everything possible to help them grow up to be a happy and confident dog. As you’re preparing to bring your new puppy home, you’ll likely be starting to think about training and socialisation, which are essential for helping a puppy to learn how to live in our human world.
Lots of new puppy owners choose to take their puppies to puppy classes, which can provide an opportunity for puppy socialisation and to teach your puppy important life skills which will set them up for success. If you find the right puppy class, it can help set you and your new best friend up for a happy and fulfilling life together. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a puppy class, so that you can find the best puppy class for you and your puppy.
Find a qualified trainer
It’s important to be aware that there are no official qualifications you need to have to become a dog trainer. Despite the level of knowledge and practical expertise that is actually needed to be a skilled trainer, anybody can set up their own dog training business without having ever studied or worked with dogs. So choosing a trainer with qualifications is important to make sure they have the knowledge to be able to help you. But to make things more confusing, there are also a huge number of dog training and behaviour courses, certificates and qualifications out there and these vary wildly in terms of their ethos, teaching standards and assessment requirements.
Make sure you look up any qualifications the trainer has, so you can be confident they are credible. Here are some things to look out for when you’re doing your research:
Is the trainer a member of any professional bodies?
Does the professional body publish a clear code of conduct and procedure for complaints against any of its members?
How thorough is the assessment or accreditation process?
Who taught the course or qualification? What are their qualifications and accreditations?
As a simple tip, one particular organisation to look out is the Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC). To become accredited with the ABTC, trainers have to complete a minimum standard of education and pass a thorough theory and practical assessment.
I am currently a student member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) while I complete their Canine Training Instructor course. As this is a course recognised by the ABTC, once I have completed all the elements of the course and passed the assessments, I will become a full member of both the ABTC and PACT.
Opt for reward based training methods
One of the main issues with the lack of regulation and accepted qualifications in the dog training industry, is the wide variety of methods used to train dogs, some of which can cause more issues. It is recommended by organisations such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) that training should be reward based and use positive reinforcement, as these are the most ethical, humane and effective methods to teach dogs.
Although nobody would want to intentionally harm their pet, there are many trainers who suggest using ‘corrections’ such as a sharp tug on the lead to punish unwanted behaviours. These methods can not only cause pain or fear for your puppy (that’s just how they work!), but they may also cause physical injury to a delicate puppy’s neck or joints and ultimately, don’t teach your puppy what you actually want them to do.
Make sure you ask any potential trainer about the methods they use. A great question to ask is:
“What happens if my puppy gets something wrong?”
The answer you should be looking for is something that suggests the trainer will look at the setup, what you’re teaching and the whole situation to figure out how we can get it right next time. If they start mentioning punishment, corrections or dominance - walk away. I strongly advocate for only using reward based methods to train dogs and this is what will be used in my classes.
Check out the class content
Many puppy classes offer a similar curriculum and you will likely learn how to teach your puppy some combination of the following:
To walk on the lead without pulling
To come back to you when they are called
To settle on a mat or blanket
Positions such as sit, down and stand
To stay or wait before being called or released
To leave items of food objects
Some other skills I think are really useful for day to day life that I like to teach in my classes are eye contact, hand touch and middle. I also think it’s important to learn about playing with your puppy, handling and grooming as these will be essential parts of your life with your dog as they grow.
It can be really helpful to find out what will be covered over the course of puppy classes so that you can decide if they are the right fit for what you would like to focus on with your puppy. Increasingly, evidence is showing that building confidence and a trusting relationship are more important than teaching obedience to young puppies. Sit stays and heel walking can always come later on, as long as you build a solid foundation with your puppy.
Find the right location
As you’ll be travelling with a new puppy with a small bladder and who needs a lot of sleep, it’s important to consider how far you can realistically travel for puppy classes. It is important to select the right trainer and class, which may be outside of your immediate area. But try to balance that out with what is a reasonable distance to take your puppy in the car, especially if they haven’t travelled in the car much and may get worried or travel sick.
If you’re lucky enough to have plenty of options within your local area, you could also think about the venue where the puppy classes are held. Although many classes are held indoors in a community hall, some trainers may use a secure field or even a barn or riding school. Each of these have different benefits, but some things to find out and take into account include:
Is there parking nearby and how close to the venue?
Is there any green space for your puppy to relieve themselves before class?
How busy is the area? Is there traffic or other noises that might frighten your puppy?
Is it inside or outside and what happens if there is any particularly hot/cold/wet/windy weather?
Is there public transport if you aren’t travelling by car?
How big is the venue? Is there enough space for the group size and will you be able to hear the instructor well?
My Crawley puppy classes are held indoors at the new Forge Wood Pavilion, which only opened in 2024 and is a modern building with lots of natural light. There are plenty of parking spaces in a private car park right outside and a large sports field on the other side where dog walkers often take their pets. I chose this venue as it is the perfect size for my small group classes and has all the facilities you need.
Think about the class size
The size of puppy classes can vary and this can have a real impact on how much you’re able to get from the class. Most puppy classes tend to have around six puppies in a class and sometimes the trainer will have a helper if there is a larger group. I have chosen to limit my classes to a maximum of four puppies, as this means I can give everyone plenty of attention and individual help and support.
Make sure you budget appropriately
Having a puppy is definitely not cheap and the expense of puppy classes on top of everything else can seem like a lot. But it’s not always a good idea to go for the cheapest classes you can find. Each trainer prices their classes based on different factors, which will include their venue costs, time and experience. Some things to consider when comparing prices:
The length of the course. Some courses may only include four classes, whereas others are five or six and this will of course affect the cost.
The trainer’s experience and qualifications. You should expect to pay more for a trainer who has completed comprehensive training themselves.
What is included in the price. Some trainers may include access to online resources, a Whatsapp or Facebook group and ongoing personal advice and support, which is invaluable for a new puppy owner.
It’s best to consider the price range that you are willing to pay and then look at all the other factors to help you make a decision, rather than choosing based on the puppy class cost alone. If you select a trainer who is not qualified or gives you bad advice, you may end up paying even more for professional help later on.
My top three tips for choosing the best puppy class for you
There’s so much to think about when it comes to what to look for in a puppy class. So now you’ve read my thorough advice, here are my top tips for how to go about choosing the right puppy class for you.
1. Ask lots of questions
Most trainers will be happy to answer your questions and will be delighted that you’re choosing to be so thorough. If they have the option of a free introductory call before you book, then even better. Prepare your questions beforehand so that you can make the most of your conversation.
2. Visit a class beforehand
Ask if you can go along to observe a class without your puppy before committing. Most trainers will be happy to let you do this. When you visit, you should look for a calm and relaxed environment. Observe how the trainer interacts with the people and their puppies and whether everyone seems to be having a good time.
3. Ask for recommendations
You could ask friends, neighbours or colleagues if they can recommend anyone, but remember to do your own research as well. It would also be worth speaking to your vet and dog groomer or walker if you have one, as they often know and can recommend local dog trainers who are well respected in the area.
I hope you’ve found this helpful and it’s given you a bit more insight into how to choose a puppy class. I think that puppy classes are a great opportunity to start to build a positive relationship with your new puppy and learn the joy of bonding with them through training.
If you’re interested in joining my puppy classes, you can book the next available dates here or check out my website for more information and other dog training services.