Puppy school and early training
How to set your puppy up for a confident, well-adjusted life
The early months of a puppy’s life shape who they become as an adult dog. How they learn to interact with people, other animals and the world around them during this period has a lasting influence on their behaviour, confidence and temperament. The good news is that puppies are wired to learn quickly at this age, and with the right approach, early training can be one of the most rewarding parts of owning a dog.
Why puppy school matters
Puppy preschool classes give your puppy a safe, structured environment to learn alongside other dogs and people.
A good class will cover the practical essentials — toilet training, managing mouthing, basic obedience — but the real value goes deeper than that. Your puppy learns how to focus around distractions, how to read other dogs, and how to cope with new situations calmly. At the same time, you get hands-on guidance and professional support as you navigate the early weeks together.
Most trainers recommend starting before 16 weeks of age, when puppies are in their key socialisation window and most receptive to new experiences.
Puppy school can also operate as a safe space for young puppies to meet other puppies before they’re fully vaccinated.
What to look for in a puppy class
Not all puppy schools are created equal. The approach your trainer uses matters. Look for classes built around positive reinforcement — rewarding the behaviours you want to see with treats, play and praise. This builds trust, confidence and a strong bond between you and your puppy.
Avoid any trainer who uses aversive methods such as choker chains, leash corrections, yelling or physical force. These approaches can cause anxiety, damage trust and often make unwanted behaviours worse.
A good puppy class should cover real-life scenarios and set your puppy up to succeed at home and in public. Things to expect include how dogs learn and communicate, reading body language, building focus and attention, safe and appropriate socialisation and play, environmental enrichment, and strategies for preventing anxiety or phobias from developing.
When choosing a trainer, ask what methods and tools they use. Watch how they interact with the dogs — they should be gentle and attentive to body language. Both you and your puppy should be treated with patience, respect and kindness. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.
Puppy preschool at Greater Springfield Veterinary
Many of our locally homed puppies attend the puppy preschool run by our colleagues at Greater Springfield Veterinary — the veterinary practice without whom Groodles Australia wouldn’t exist. All training at Greater Springfield Veterinary is based on positive reinforcement, and their team can support you and your puppy from those very first weeks.
Socialisation
Early socialisation is one of the most important things you can do for your puppy, but it’s often misunderstood. Socialisation isn’t about exposing your puppy to as many things as possible — it’s about creating positive experiences with new people, animals, sounds, environments and situations at a pace your puppy can handle.
Most socialisation should involve calm observation rather than direct interaction. Your puppy doesn’t need to greet every person or play with every dog they see. In fact, teaching them that seeing other dogs and people doesn’t always mean interaction is one of the most valuable lessons you can give them. Focus on quality over quantity: introduce new sights, sounds, surfaces and experiences gradually, keep sessions short and fun, and pair new things with treats, praise or play.
If your puppy seems nervous about something, give them distance and let them observe from afar. Forcing interaction when a puppy is uncertain can make fears worse. Confidence grows step by step — celebrate small wins like showing curiosity or moving a little closer to something unfamiliar.
It’s worth noting that off-lead dog parks and beaches are generally not recommended for young puppies. These are unpredictable environments where not all dogs are well-socialised or under control, and a single negative experience can have a lasting impact on a young puppy’s confidence. Managed playdates with appropriately matched dogs or supervised play in a puppy preschool setting are much safer options.
Building resilience
Resilience — your puppy’s ability to cope with new or challenging situations without becoming overwhelmed — is an essential skill that helps prevent behaviour problems later in life. Whether it’s a loud noise, a slippery floor, a trip to the vet or an unfamiliar person, resilient puppies recover more quickly and approach the world with confidence rather than fear.
The best way to build resilience is through gentle, gradual exposure paired with positive associations. Games and activities are particularly effective: encouraging your puppy to walk on different surfaces, using puzzle feeders and snuffle mats for mealtimes, and playing simple problem-solving games like hiding treats in a cardboard box all help develop confidence and persistence.
Handling and grooming are worth practising early too. Gentle, regular handling at home — touching paws, ears, muzzle and tail — paired with treats helps your puppy learn that being handled is a positive experience. Introduce grooming tools gradually and consider taking your puppy to the vet or groomer just for a friendly visit and a treat before any actual procedures, so they associate the environment with good things.
Building engagement
Engagement — your puppy’s willingness to focus on you, even when there are distractions around — is the foundation for all future training. Puppies who enjoy interacting with their owner learn faster, respond more reliably, and are easier to manage in everyday life.
You can build engagement through simple games: calling your puppy’s name and rewarding them for looking at you, practising recall over short distances with plenty of enthusiasm and treats, and teaching hand targets where your puppy touches their nose to your palm. Play itself is a powerful engagement tool — tug, fetch and gentle interactive games all teach your puppy that connecting with you is fun and rewarding.
Keep training sessions short. Puppies have limited attention spans, so several brief sessions through the day — just a few minutes each — are far more effective than one long one. End on a positive note, before your puppy gets tired or frustrated, so they always want more.
Early lead training
There’s no rush to take your puppy on long walks — they have the rest of their life for that. In the early weeks, focus on building comfort with a collar or harness and lead, and on making the experience positive rather than covering distance.
Start indoors or in the yard. Let your puppy get used to wearing a collar or harness for short periods, rewarding calm behaviour. Once they’re comfortable, clip the lead on and let them wander, rewarding them when they follow you or check in. Gradually move to short outings in quiet areas — five to ten minutes is plenty to begin with.
If your puppy pulls, stop and wait for them to loosen the lead before continuing. Avoid jerking or shortening the lead to bring them close. The goal is for your puppy to learn that a loose lead keeps the walk going. This takes patience and consistency, but it’s far easier to build good habits now than to fix pulling later.
Early walks should be about your puppy exploring, sniffing and learning about the world — not about exercise or getting somewhere specific.
Beyond puppy preschool
Training doesn’t stop when puppy preschool finishes. Continuing with group classes as your dog matures helps reinforce skills and gives you both a structured way to practise around real-world distractions. As your dog grows more confident, you might explore activities like rally, agility, scent work or hoopers — they’re great for focus, coordination and channelling energy into teamwork.
If you’re ever struggling with behaviour like fear, reactivity or frustrating training issues, getting professional help early makes a significant difference. Look for a qualified trainer who uses reward-based methods and will work with you to build your dog’s confidence and understanding.
