Puppy Learning Behaviour and Body Language. Current Best Practice Puppy Classes

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1 AVA Regional Conference Ballina March 2011 Puppy Learning Behaviour and Body Language Current Best Practice Puppy Classes Kathy Wilson Delta Accredited Cert IV Canine Good Citizens CGC in Dog Behavioural Training Lecturer and Assessor Delta Instructors Course Principal Dog Behavioural Trainer/Consultant at the Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group - Belmont, Charlestown and Swansea 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 1

2 Current Best Practice Puppy Classes Are you using best practice methods? This afternoon we will discuss: The aims of puppy classes Inappropriate old methods Current Best Practice Class Format Curriculum Training for instructors Practice involvement and support How to run best practice classes What do clients need to know before classes? Handouts Teaching Methods What we teach What we don t teach Benefits for us and the practice Conclusion 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 2

3 The Aims of Puppy Classes: To socialise puppies in a clean, disinfected environment with other puppies and people. The puppies should be introduced to a variety of experiences in a non-threatening manner in the critical socialisation period of 6-16 weeks. To develop a long term relationship with your practice. Clients and puppies develop a long term positive happy association coming into the practice. To discuss realistic owner expectations To teach owners about normal puppy behaviours All training should use Positive Reward Based methods using operant and classical conditioning. e.g. training a puppy to perform requested tasks by rewarding when appropriate and ignoring or managing unwanted behaviour To teach puppies to be settled and calm No force or physical pressure is used. This means no hands to push down on the rump, no leash correction or pulling and no check chains or chain leads Train the owners to teach their puppies to tolerate gentle handling To focus on puppy behaviour issues, socialisation, toilet training, play biting, chewing etc Discuss basic puppy care To train the owners to train their puppies the foundation behaviours = sit, drop, settle on mat, pay attention, come when called, etc Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 3

4 Inappropriate old Methods These puppy class features are not considered current best practice and are inappropriate: Overcrowded classes On lead play Inappropriate off lead play Pass the puppy Handling of puppies by strangers Taking puppies away from owners to demonstrate exercises Flooding techniques- making puppies interact Alpha rolls or scruffs Restraining of puppies until they give in Current Best Practice Class size: 3-6 puppies for optimum learning Location: clean spacious environment Age of puppies: 8-12 weeks OH&S: appropriate footwear, children- ages? supervision?, family members attending? Teaching aids- visual barriers, rewards, mats, notes, chew toys, DAP Equipment: flat collars, harnesses 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 4

5 Class Format: 5 classes Duration of class 1 hour- MAXIMUM Lesson 1: Dog free lesson Lesson 2: 1 st practical Lesson 3: 2 nd practical Lesson 4: 3 rd practical Lesson 5: 4 th practical-graduation Curriculum Topics to be covered: Normal puppy behaviour Management strategies How puppies learn Appropriate rewards Boredom busters- toys and games Gentle handling techniques Training of useful behaviours Calm, settle and relax exercises Socialisation Puppy play 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 5

6 Training for Instructors Puppy trainers need to have been properly educated in canine development, learning theory and class management. They need to be the most interested and motivated people in your practice who want to be puppy class teachers. Trainers need to: Base their classes on current knowledge of puppy learning Refer puppies if necessary Recognise and reinforce calm, relaxed behaviour Manage unwanted behaviours Relate exercises to real life situations Provide an environment with minimal stress for puppies and owners Trainer Skills can be improved with further education offered by: The Delta Society Australia Limited Canine Good Citizens, CGC Instructors Course Certificate IV Companion Animal Services Contact: 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 6

7 Practice Involvement and Support It is desirable to have as many new puppies that come to your practice attend your puppy training classes to develop that important long-term bond to your practice. This long term bond will only develop with these families if their experience at training class is a very happy and positive one. ALL staff needs to encourage puppies to attend classes. All staff should be aware of How Dogs Learn and the benefits of positive training methods. Appropriate fees should be charged to ensure small classes are financially viable for the practice. How to run the Best Classes!! Small classes Well managed Current training methods Age related exercises for puppies Appropriate information for clients Trained Staff 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 7

8 What do clients need to know before classes? What we provide for clients and puppies and what they should be aware of (eg class time, class location, vaccination requirements etc) What information does the trainer need? Client and puppy profile What handouts are you going to provide? Guidance and guardianship Toilet training Biting- mouthing Handling Feeding Boredom busters Heath and husbandry Further training classes Exit survey- How did we go? Teaching Methods Lure and reward- for hands off training Fade the lure when behaviour reliable Reward all behaviour we like Manage all behaviours we can t reward No correction Reward calm behaviour Manage puppy interactions Provide individual attention for each client 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 8

9 Coach clients through each exercise Relate each exercise to practical use What we teach Follow my hand- with a food lure Sit Lay down Settle on mat Pay attention Gentle handling techniques Go find Come when called- step 1 Follow me- beginnings of loose lead walking What we don t teach! Appropriate knowledge of health and husbandry is essential HOWEVER Puppy class is not the time to give long talks on vaccination, worming, parasite control, neutering, nutrition, etc. In puppy class owners need to focus on their puppies All other information can be given in written format and during regular consultations with their veterinarian Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 9

10 Benefits for us and the practice? Happy Clients Happy Puppies Happy Vets Happy Nurses Less stress for all A long term practice bond is established Conclusion Puppy classes have improved greatly and will continue to change for the better as we learn more about puppy behaviour. Maintaining old methods may create inappropriate experiences- potentially harmful long term. On- going education of trainers and practice staff is essential for maintaining high standards Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 10

11 2011 Kathy Wilson The Lake Veterinary Hospitals Group Page 11