Set puppies up for a lifetime of confidence

Every puppy that walks into your practice is learning how to feel about people and places. This course shows you how to make every interaction in the clinic a positive one: from friendly greetings with staff to calm, confidence-building handling. By creating the right experiences early on, you’ll help puppies grow into relaxed, happy adult dogs who feel safe and comfortable visiting the vet.
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Happy dog looking up at camera as ear is being scratched

About This Course

    1. Making every hello positive for puppies - overview

    2. Words matter

    1. Vet staff and puppies

    2. ELEMENTS Framework

    3. Greeting a puppy appropriately

    4. Being puppy's advocate

    1. On lead versus Off lead

    2. Stroking and petting

    3. Sniffing hands

    1. Teaching puppy parents about body language

    2. Understanding canine body language Pt.1

    3. Understanding canine body language Pt.2

    4. The Four F's

    5. How to respond if a puppy is worried

    1. Puppies meeting children pt.1

    2. Puppies meeting children pt.2

    3. Handouts for parents of young children

    1. References

    2. What did you learn?

    3. Want to learn more?

Course details

  • £35.00
  • 20 lessons
  • Additional downloadable content
  • Plus additional references

  • Online study

    Flexible, at-home study to fit your schedule so you can learn at your own pace

  • Lifetime access

    Once enrolled you will have lifetime access to all course content and additional downloads

  • Science-led

    Fully referenced and developed using scientific and experience-based knowledge from highly accredited professionals within the animal behaviour sector

Authors

Gwen Bailey

Puppy School Founder and Director

Internationally renowned behaviourist, Gwen Bailey BSc(Hons), is Founder and Director of Puppy School. She is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor with the Animal Behaviour Training Council (ABTC), member and past Chair of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), author of 14 books on dog training and behaviour, including The Perfect Puppy, and is considered one of the leading practitioners in her field.

Nicole Harris

Puppy School Behaviour Team

Nicole has been running Puppy School classes since 2009. She is an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor and sits on the committee for the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC). She is also a certified member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC), a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT). Nicole creates and presents Puppy School’s twice-yearly puppy behaviour courses for tutors and associates.

Claire Luscombe

Puppy School Behaviour Team

Claire has played an important and innovative role in Puppy School since its inception, running classes for over 20 years and now helping to teach and educate our existing tutors and trainees. She is a Regional Manager for Devon, and Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Animal Training Instructor and member no. 01336 of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).

Support puppy parents with expert guidance

Your role doesn’t stop at the clinic doors. In this course, you’ll learn how to give puppy parents the tools and advice they need to guide successful introductions outside the practice too, from meeting strangers to interacting with children. With the right knowledge, owners can become strong advocates for their puppies, ensuring every new encounter adds to a bank of positive experiences that protect welfare for life.
Young boy and girl sitting calmly with their puppy and giving it treats

Be the reason puppies love coming to the vet

With the right skills and advice, you can turn every puppy’s first encounters into a foundation of trust, safety, and confidence. This course gives you the strategies and resources to make it happen for your practice, your clients, and most importantly, the puppies.
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