Did you know that puppies have a very narrow and critical window in which they form an opinion on how they will perceive the world around them? This is called their socialisation period, and puppie’s are at their most influential only at the young age of 5 - 16 weeks! That means that after only 4 months of age their ability to accept new experiences as positive really takes a nosedive!
The traditional answer to this problem has been puppy school, found at many of your local obedience clubs, vets and pet stores.
But an hour of socialisation in a group class just hardly seems enough, especially when the stakes are so high, and time is so limited!
Enter VetLand’s Puppy Academy - designed by our vets for your pet. Let me tell you what makes Puppy Academy the leader of the pack.
Puppy schools play a crucial role in your pup's development by providing essential socialisation at a critical time in your puppies life. In puppy school, you will typically spend an hour with a group of 5 other puppies and their families. Your trainer will spend the hour giving you general health care advice for your puppy - and they will intermittently be able to engage in free play or training activities. Sessions are usually only for an hour, and run only once per week for four weeks. Puppy school is not open to puppies beyond 4 months of age.
Whilst this traditional puppy school approach has served us well in the past, it’s just not cutting the mustard any more. Canine anxiety is being diagnosed in an absolute surge, especially following the COVID epidemic. Changes in our attitudes towards pets - moving away from ownership and towards family members - means sometimes our dogs may never actually learn how to be a dog! Our new work from home lifestyles mean they spend more time with us than ever before and so they become very attached to us.
Our Puppy Academy has recognised the droves of dogs suffering with completely preventable behavioural anxiety, and are setting out to provide the ultimate enrichment experience.
Puppy School vs Puppy Daycare
Now, on the other hand - Puppy Day Care is another kettle of fish entirely. Puppy Day Care facilities will provide a safe and supervised environment for your puppy to run completely amok and get into all sorts of fun with other puppies. It can no doubt be a fun experience for some puppies - however - others can find it overwhelming.
During their stay, the emphasis is on fun over training or socialisation opportunities. This can often mean puppies are never given the opportunity to hone their manners. Boisterous puppies don’t get the feedback to tone it down a notch, or puppies that are nervous can be overwhelmed in this environment.
A puppy’s experience in day care will very much depend on the puppy’s demeanor as well as the spread of pups within the group.
VetLand’s Puppy Academy takes the training and socialisation aspects of puppy school and combines them with the group setting fun of puppy day care. The result? Your puppy gets a true 9 hour school experience complete with densensitisation, swimming, bath and more! We believe in fostering a complete and enriching environment where your pup not only enjoys their time but also benefits from wellness-focused programs. To discover more reasons why VetLand's Puppy Academy stands out, keep reading below!
What do a labrador, golden retriever, german short-haired pointer and a poodle all have in common? They’re water breeds! That means at their genetic core, these dogs are most happy when they can express this normal and natural behaviour.
VetLand's Puppy Academy offers swimming lessons for your pup during their stay. These sessions are designed to be both enjoyable and beneficial for your puppy's overall development. Engaging in water activities enhances muscle strength, improves coordination, and offers a unique, joint-friendly form of exercise. Our dedicated Puppy Educators ensure a safe and positive environment, allowing your pup to build confidence to handle difficult and unfamiliar situations, as well as enjoy a playful experience. After their swim, each puppy receives a bath in our K9000 all weather dog-wash, and then dried until they are squeaky clean, soft and fluffy!
We believe in nurturing not just physical health but also the emotional well-being of your beloved pets and so we go the extra mile to ensure that your pup not only receives first-class care but also develops a positive association with veterinary visits. Puppy Academy includes pretend or mock vet examinations, where our caring staff gently introduces your pup to the sights and sounds of a veterinary setting. By simulating vet check-ups in a friendly and stress-free manner, we aim to make these experiences delightful rather than frightening. We also take your pup on guided walks around the clinic, allowing them to explore and familiarise themselves with the space. This proactive measure ensures that future visits become a breeze for both you and your furry companion, as they associate our clinic with safety, comfort, and, most importantly, a positive experience.
At Puppy Academy, your pup will delight in a world of stimulation, development, and joy. Their learning experience is redefined through the innovative use of enrichment tools, such as the cube, ball pit, and puppy play space, and your furry friend will get the chance to freely explore, run around, and play with their puppy pals. This not only enhances their physical and mental well-being but also cultivates a sense of fulfillment, because we believe in fostering all-rounded, happier pups who are not just well-behaved, but thoroughly enjoy their learning journey.
Puppy Academy is transforming the lives of puppies and their owners. Through this enriching experience, puppies have overcome behavioral issues and pet parents are noticing positive differences in their pup once they are back at home. Success stories are a testament to the effectiveness of puppy training schools and the positive impact they have on puppies' lives.
For example, Penny, a playful and energetic chocolate Labrador Retriever pup, was initially timid and stayed away from other pups on her first morning. However, as we gently encouraged her, she started to develop her confidence. By that very same afternoon she was scaling the puppy ramp see-saw with our team cheering her on from the sidelines. She then spent an hour nestled beside her new bestie, Suki the Cavoodle. Another success story is Hudson, a handsome Weimeraner, who gained confidence and improved his swimming skills through puppy swimming lessons.
These success stories highlight the transformative power of Puppy Academy, and the potential they unlock in every puppy, giving them the opportunity to thrive and become the best version of themselves.
At Puppy Academy, we take the puppy day care concept to a whole new level with our state-of-the-art facilities, wellness activities, exposure to the vet clinic as a whole, and expert care. Developed by our own veterinarians, Puppy Academy goes beyond the traditional approach, offering not only a blend of fun and education that ensures your puppy learns the basics, but also thrives in a loving and nurturing and safe environment. Our mission is to create unforgettable moments for your pup, setting the foundation for a happy and well-rounded life!
Read more here about Puppy Academy