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Puppy School

Come join the fun at our puppy class in Richmond.

Puppy Preschool can be one of the key developmental stages for your puppy, setting them up as a  healthy, happy and confident member of your family. During this crucial imprinting stage, puppy preschool lays the foundation for puppies to become polite, well-manner and socialised. Environmental conditioning and socialisation is far more effective than later in their life.

Our puppy classes offer a safe socialising space for puppies of similar ages. Classes are fun and relaxed with a mixture of training, theory and games. We are constantly seeing the benefits of dogs that have attended our classes. They are happy to arrive at the clinic and less stressed during their examinations because, through attending puppy class, they associate the clinic with positive memories.

The course normally runs for one hour over a course of four weeks covering a range of skills, techniques and tools to get the best start. We run our classes multiple times a week in the evenings at the Richmond clinic for puppies between 8-16 weeks old (puppy key socialising period). Puppies must of had their first round of puppy vaccinations to attend.

A four-week course is $100 and includes four 1-hour classes, a range of samplers, graduation certificate and a wealth of skills, positive memories and new puppy friends. Please ring Sarah at our clinic to enquire.

Classes are run by Vikki Pickering from ‘You and Your Dog’, and Jen Chaddock one of our senior nurses. With the assistance of Sarah and Jacinda our passionate puppy assistants, you will have a wealth of expertise to lend an ear for all new puppy owners.

Join in on the fun at Town & Country Vet’s Puppy Preschool Class.

Enquire today by filling out a Pet Registration form or call us on 035441200 during clinic hours. Find our contact details here

MEET THE TEAM

Vikki Pickering

Behaviour Consultant & Dog Trainer

Vikki is the owner of You and Your Dog and has a Diploma in Canine Behaviour Science and Technology which she gained in 2012 through the Companion Animal Sciences Institute. Vikki is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand . Vikki is You and Your Dog’s private training and behaviour modification specialist. Vikki is passionate about promoting education amongst children and adults on how to be safer around dogs to prevent dog bites, helping to keep dogs out of shelters. Nelson City Council are proud supporters of her initiative and she frequently attends primary schools, community centres and child-care centres to present her dog safe workshops.
Vikki’s training methods are based on modern behavioural science and understanding of the fact that animals learn by consequence and association. Her aim is to use gentle yet effective methods to change your dog’s behaviour.

Jen

Vet Nurse & Puppy Class Instructor

Jen has been nursing for 15 years and had the good fortune to be involved with puppy class throughout. Jen and her husband Jonny are passionate about search and rescue, urban and wilderness alike, with one of their dogs Pixel being an active area search dog. Jen is enthusiastic about puppy class and helping new dog owners become confident. Jen says she loves seeing their transformation from week 1 to graduation. Regardless of owners experience she sees the incredible value of puppy class.

Sarah

Support Staff & Puppy Class Assistant

Sarah has been working for Town & Country Vet for over 5 years at front of house. She is dedicated to organising and assisting the puppy classes. Sarah is an experienced dog owner herself. She has a 2 year old German short haired pointer cross called Rover. Sarah’s favourite part of puppy preschool is getting to know your puppy and following their development over the years as they grow.

Jacinda

Vet Nurse & Puppy Class Assistant

Jacinda assists with puppy classes. She has a wealth of knowledge for pet health being a vet nurse for over 3 years and experienced pet owner. Recently she attended puppy class herself, and Riko, now 2 years old is a regular visitor at the clinic with his cat brother Jaspar. Jacinda’s favourite part of puppy class seeing the change from boisterous pups to building the relationship between owner and pup, creating a deeper understanding of their new furry best friend.

Adrienne

Vet Nurse & Puppy Class Assistant

Adrienne has been a vet nurse in Auckland, Kerikeri and now sunny Nelson. She enjoys being part of the puppy class at Town & Country Vet because there is always such a variety of doggos and she love all of them, big and small! It's great watching their personality really shine in a safe and friendly environment. Adrienne has a 5 yr old black lab cross. Their favourite thing to do is fetching the ball the beach.