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LIFESTYLE

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SCHOOL?
Diligently completing Puppy School
classes and then forgetting about your
dog’s training for the remainder of his
life is like sending a child to Grade 1 and
expecting him to enter the adult world,
fully equipped for success. There are
many advanced training options available
to continue your pup’s education and
keep him stimulated and developing
throughout his adult years. Dogs enjoy
learning and challenges, just as we
do. Be sure to complete both the initial
Puppy 1 course (from around 10 weeks
of age) and the intermediate course,
Puppy 2, from 16 weeks. There will be a
loss of momentum if you only complete
the first course and then wait until
6 months before starting an advanced
form of training or sport. Obedience
training isn’t the only option; research
your breed and what sports, activities
and clubs may be available to join. Think
scenting work for Beagles or field trials
for Labs and Retrievers. You might also
look at clicker training, scent training,
trick training, agility, the Canine Good
Citizen Programme, or possibly even find Source: Image with thanks to Smart Puppy.
out whether your dog may be a candidate
for training as a Therapy Dog.
Whether or not you elect to continue
your dog’s education, spending quality
time with him or her on a daily basis
and consistently reinforcing the basic
commands and framework for acceptable
behaviour learned in Puppy School is
imperative. And here’s a tip from our
experts: a ‘Sniff Walk’ where Butch
can meander along at his chosen pace,
happily downloading all the messages on
the pavement and enjoying the sights and
sounds is infinitely more beneficial than a
5km run, and utilises the pent-up mental
and emotional energy that is the true
crux of frustration-related behaviour like
digging, chewing, incessant barking, etc.

If you’re not able to devote quality time to
your dog every day due to a demanding
work schedule, investing in a Doggy Day
Care programme is highly recommended,
if not daily, then at least a couple of times
a week. Your dog needs to be exposed to
different environments and experiences
on a consistent basis to avoid boredom
and frustration and, being pack animals,
dogs also relish the opportunity to
socialise with their own kind. Doggy Day
Care will significantly enrich the time you
are able to spend with your dog.
www.twistedwhiskers.co.za
Source: Image with thanks to Smart Puppy.
Twisted Whiskers recommends Smart Puppy for expert puppy socialisation classes. Many of our
staff have taken their puppies through their classes over the past 20 years and can vouch for the
excellence of their programmes and trainers. A number of different venues are available around northern
Johannesburg and classes are offered at different times, and over the weekend, for the convenience of
their clients. The Smart Puppy website includes some great content on a variety of training-related topics
which new puppy-parents find most helpful: www.smartpuppy.co.za
For more information and bookings call 083 306 4599.

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