Is there really anything that says ‘EXCITEMENT’ more than a new puppy? It’s the total package - long, wobbly legs, playful spirit and oh, that puppy breath!
If you’ve raised dogs before, you might feel confident navigating the puppy stage again. But even for seasoned dog families, puppy school isn’t just a "nice-to-have". I can’t emphasise enough that it is an essential step in your pup’s development.
Socialisation is the hot topic in the world of puppies, and essentially is the process by which your puppy decides how they’re going to perceive the world around them. And they make this lifechanging decision all before they’re only 4 months old!
Time is actually really tight in getting this right, so I hope this blog really helps to scratch down to why it’s something we feel so passionately about.
Puppy school is a structured group class designed for young puppies (typically between 8–16 weeks old) to learn basic manners, build confidence, and most importantly, socialise safely. It’s a crucial time in your puppy’s brain development—the "socialisation window"—when they are most open to new experiences, environments, people, and other animals.
Once this window closes, it becomes harder (though not impossible) for your dog to adapt to new things without stress or fear.
These sessions are just as important for you, than your puppy. Your educator will help you to read cues from your puppy, and teach you the language you can use to communicate back to your puppy.
Socialisation isn’t just about making doggy friends. It’s about preparing your puppy to confidently and calmly navigate the world they’ll live in:
Poor socialisation can lead to behavioural issues later in life—such as fearfulness, reactivity, or anxiety in unfamiliar situations. Puppy school gives your dog a safe, positive environment to learn how to be a well-adjusted, confident adult and for you to have the tools to support that pathway to growth.
We saw a dramatic rise in anxiety-related behaviours in dogs following the COVID-19 lockdowns—and poor early socialisation was a major factor. Puppies raised during isolation often missed out on critical exposure to new people, places, and other dogs. As a result, we now continue to see many adult dogs suffering with alarming rates of fearfulness, reactivity, and separation anxiety.
Without safe, structured social experiences in those formative weeks, dogs are more likely to struggle with unfamiliar environments, become easily overwhelmed, or display unpredictable behaviour.
This period of global disruption was a stark reminder of just how crucial early socialisation is—not just for obedience, but for lifelong emotional resilience.
At VetLand, our Puppy Academy program is run by our qualified dog behaviourist, Yvonne Mann, who brings training science together with animal behaviour to make learning fun. We’ve designed our classes to support your puppy’s health, behaviour, and social growth, while giving you practical tools that work in real life.
Whether this is your first puppy or your fifth, a well-run puppy school helps you raise a dog who is calm, curious, and confident in the world around them.
Puppy Classes are run on Tuesday evenings, with streams for older and younger puppies!
So, do puppies need puppy school?
Absolutely. Even the most experienced dog owner can benefit from it, and more importantly—so can your puppy. It’s one of the best investments you can make for their lifelong happiness and well-being.
If you’re bringing home a new puppy or know someone who is, we invite you to learn more about VetLand’s Puppy Academy. Enrolments are open, and our team is here to help guide your pup through their most important developmental stage—with fun, patience, and expert care.
Because well-socialised puppies grow into well-behaved dogs. And that’s something every pet parent wants—first-timer or not.