Care & training
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of questions — especially when it comes to training, socialisation, and helping your puppy grow into a happy, confident adult dog.
Puppy school (sometimes called ‘puppy preschool’) can be a great way to give your puppy positive early experiences in a safe and structured environment. A good puppy school isn’t just about teaching your puppy basic cues; it helps puppies build confidence, develop appropriate social skills, and form positive associations with people, other dogs, and everyday experiences.
It also gives you the opportunity to learn more about puppy behaviour and body language, understand how to use reward-based training methods, and develop the skills to continue training and supporting your puppy at home.
Here’s what to know before enrolling your puppy in puppy school.
Table of contents
- Why puppy school matters
- What your puppy may learn
- Why reward-based training matters
- Is puppy school right for my puppy?
- How to choose a good puppy school
- How to get the most out of puppy school
- How pet insurance can help support your puppy’s wellbeing
Why puppy school matters
The first few months of your puppy’s life are an important time for learning and development. During this period, puppies are especially receptive to new experiences, making it the ideal time to help them build positive associations with people, other dogs, new environments, and everyday situations. These early experiences can have a lasting influence on how your puppy responds to the world as an adult.
A well-run puppy school provides opportunities for safe, positive socialisation while helping puppies develop confidence and important life skills. It can also help pet parents better understand dog behaviour and body language, while teaching them how to use reward-based training methods to encourage desirable behaviours and build a positive relationship with their puppy.
What your puppy may learn
Most puppy school programs combine socialisation, training, and owner education, helping puppies develop the skills they need to navigate the world with confidence.
Your puppy may learn:
- How to respond to basic cues such as ‘sit’, ‘drop’, ‘stay’, ‘wait’, ‘look’, ‘leave it’, and ‘give’
- Toilet training foundations and other everyday household manners
- How to walk calmly on a loose lead
- Appropriate ways to interact with people and other dogs
- How to feel comfortable with interactions such as grooming, vet examinations, and routine care
- Confidence around new sights, sounds, objects, surfaces, and environment
Together, these experiences help lay the foundations for a confident, well-adjusted adult dog. They also provide opportunities for puppies to learn through positive experiences during an important stage of development.
Owner education is an equally important part of the program. Classes often help pet parents better understand dog behaviour, body language, and communication, while teaching practical reward-based training techniques that can be used at home. Topics may also include general puppy care, diet, exercise, preventive healthcare, and ways to continue training and socialisation beyond the classroom.
Why reward-based training matters
Reputable puppy schools only use reward-based training methods. This involves rewarding behaviours you’d like your puppy to repeat using things they enjoy, such as treats, praise, toys, or play. Puppies are set up to succeed and rewarded for making good choices, rather than being punished for mistakes.
Reward-based training can be used to teach a wide range of skills, from responding to basic cues and recall to toilet training and walking calmly on a lead. It helps puppies develop positive associations with learning and new experiences, making training enjoyable for both dogs and their owners.
In contrast, punishment-based or dominance-based methods should never be used. Punishing a puppy for behaviours we consider undesirable can increase fear and anxiety, make behaviour problems more difficult to address, compromise your puppy’s welfare, and damage the bond you share.
Puppy school provides a great introduction to reward-based training, but learning doesn’t stop when classes end. Ongoing positive training at home helps reinforce good habits, supports your puppy’s development, creates opportunities for structured time together, and provides valuable mental and physical stimulation throughout their life.
Is puppy school right for my puppy?
Most puppies can benefit from attending puppy school. Classes are typically designed for puppies between 8 and 16 weeks of age, which coincides with an important period of learning and social development. During this time, positive experiences with people, other puppies and new environments can help build confidence and support healthy behavioural development.
Many puppy schools allow puppies to attend after they’ve received their first round of vaccinations. Puppies don’t usually need to have completed their full vaccination course before attending, as delaying socialisation until then may mean missing an important developmental window. If you’re unsure whether your puppy is ready for classes, speak to your vet.
A good puppy school will prioritise your puppy’s safety, wellbeing, and comfort. During classes, puppies should be supervised by their owner or another accompanying adult, allowed to learn at their own pace, and never forced into interactions or experiences they’re not comfortable with. Trainers should use reward-based methods and create positive learning experiences that help puppies build confidence and develop important life skills.
If your puppy is unwell, or if you have concerns about their health or behaviour, seek vet advice before enrolling them in puppy school.
How to choose a good puppy school
Puppy schools are sometimes offered by vet clinics, vet teaching hospitals, and animal welfare organisations, including some RSPCA shelters.
Because dog training is an unregulated industry, it’s important to choose a class that’s run by appropriately qualified trainers who use reward-based training methods and prioritise the wellbeing and welfare of every puppy.
Your vet can be a valuable source of advice when choosing a puppy school and may be able to recommend reputable classes in your area.
Look for a puppy school that keeps class sizes manageable, allows puppies to learn at their own pace, and creates positive experiences for both puppies and owners. Puppies should never be forced into interactions they’re uncomfortable with, and trainers should be able to recognise and respond appropriately if a puppy becomes worried or overwhelmed.
A well-run puppy school should feel calm, structured, and supportive, helping puppies build confidence, develop important social skills, and form positive associations with new experiences.
How to get the most out of puppy school
Puppy school is just the beginning of your puppy’s learning journey. The skills and behaviours introduced in class are most effective when they’re practised consistently at home.
To help your puppy get the most from their classes:
- Speak to your vet beforehand if you have any health concerns
- Practise training regularly between sessions
- Keep training sessions short, positive, and rewarding
- Involve the whole family so everyone uses the same cues and approach
- Be patient, and remember that every puppy learns at their own pace
If you have concerns about your puppy’s behaviour at any stage, speak to your vet. They can help rule out any underlying health issues and may refer you and your puppy to a registered clinical animal behaviourist if additional support is needed.
How pet insurance can help support your puppy’s wellbeing
Puppy school is one of the best investments you can make in your dog’s future. Pair it with the right health cover from the start, and you’re giving your pup a solid foundation for a happy, healthy life.
And if you choose RSPCA Pet Insurance, your policy doesn’t just protect your pet — every policy helps support the RSPCA’s important animal welfare work across Australia.
To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pup, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.
Disclaimer
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
References
[1] RSPCA Australia. Is it important to train my dog? What sort of training would you recommend? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/training/is-it-important-to-train-my-dog-what-sort-of-training-would-you-recommend
[2] RSPCA Australia. What is reward-based dog training and why does the RSPCA support it? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/training/what-is-reward-based-dog-training-and-why-does-the-rspca-support-it
[3] RSPCA Australia. Is socialising my puppy important? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/puppies/is-socialising-my-puppy-important
[4] RSPCA Australia. How can I toilet train my puppy or adult dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/how-can-i-toilet-train-my-puppy-or-adult-dog
[5] RSPCA Australia. How should I exercise my puppy? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/puppies/how-should-i-exercise-my-puppy
[6] RSPCA Australia. How can I socialise my puppy? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/puppies/how-can-i-socialise-my-puppy
[7] RSPCA Australia. How can I teach my dog recall? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/training/how-can-i-teach-my-dog-recall-to-come-when-called
FAQs
Puppies are often ready to start puppy school from around 8 and 16 weeks of age. This coincides with an important stage of development known as the socialisation period, when puppies are especially receptive to new experiences and learning about the world around them. Positive experiences during this time can have a lasting influence on their behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
Before enrolling, check the puppy school’s vaccination requirements and speak to your vet if you have any concerns about your puppy’s health or readiness to attend.
Most puppy school programs combine socialisation, training, and owner education. Your puppy may learn how to respond to basic cues such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, ‘leave it’ and loose-lead walking, as well as skills that help them navigate everyday life, like toilet training and how to interact with other dogs. Importantly, puppy school is about far more than obedience training. It provides puppies with a valuable opportunity to develop confidence, build positive associations with new experiences, and learn new skills. Classes also help owners understand dog behaviour and body language, helping them communicate more effectively with their puppy.
A reputable puppy school should use reward-based training methods. This means rewarding behaviours you want to encourage with things your puppy enjoys, such as treats, praise, play, toys, or affection.
Punishment-based or dominance-based methods shouldn’t be used. These approaches can cause fear, anxiety, confusion, and distress, and may negatively affect your puppy’s wellbeing and your relationship with them. Reward-based training helps puppies learn in a positive way and supports a trusting bond between dogs and their owners.
Yes — for many puppies, enrolling them in a well-run, reputable puppy school is one of the best ways to support positive socialisation and learning during their first few months of life. It gives puppies the opportunity to have safe, positive experiences during an important stage of learning, helping them grow into more confident and well-adjusted adult dogs.
For owners, it can provide useful guidance on puppy behaviour, body language, training, and how to continue building good habits at home.
Along with training, having the right pet insurance policy in place from the start is an important part of responsible puppy ownership. RSPCA Pet Insurance helps cover eligible vet bills for illness and injury, so you can focus on giving your puppy the best start possible. As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
