What About Training My Puppy for Service?

Public access work is demanding and more so for a puppy.

What age is considered a puppy? A puppy is typically defined as any dog up to 16 weeks old. Beyond 16 weeks, your dog enters the adolescent growth phase. The puppy stage is crucial in a puppy’s development. It’s essential to follow specific steps in every stage of your dog’s life. A well-organized group puppy class is an excellent way to introduce your puppy to training. Service puppy prospects begin similarly to companion puppies but with additional training. Here is a checklist to assist you and your puppy in getting started.

1. Visit your veterinarian for a wellness check up, most trainers will want to see the first set of your pups vaccination records.
2. Find a positive reinforcement trainer in your area and join a group puppy class. If you cannot find a trainer Email [email protected] and we can help connect you with a trainer in your area, they do not have to be from the approved list. Make sure they do not use adverse methods or tools.
3. Take your time and enjoy your puppy, its not all about obedience and work.
4. Work on house training, kennel training the foundation behaviours. MOST importantly, work on positive socialization.
5. NEVER ask a puppy to to do adult tasks. Sure you can train your puppy to retrieve, target etc, however, do NOT set your puppy up for burn out or failure.

Government Approved Schools: https://www.alberta.ca/approved-service-dog-organizations

Muskoseepi Service Dogs offers open enrolment group puppy classes in Grande Prairie and surrounding areas. If for some reason you cannot attend class, we also offer in-home training. Our puppy classes are rolling enrolment, you can start anytime, no need to wait.

You are welcome to enrol in one of our puppy classes even if you are not training your puppy as a service prospect. Starting your puppy out on the right training path from day one is vital.