Puppy socialization is VITAL. Puppies are like sponges – they learn every minute that they are awake and it is up to us to make sure that they learn the right things!
Cowichan Canine’s Puppy Socialization curriculum includes:
- SOCIALIZATION; people, dogs, environmental stimuli
- LIFE SKILLS; handling and grooming, polite greetings, coping with fears
- BASIC TRAINING; come when called, walking nicely on leash, sit, lie down
SCHEDULE & VENUE
Effective 1 February:
Wednesdays 10 am and Saturdays 9:00 am indoors at Cowichan Exhibition Centre (the Pancake House), 7380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan (off Mays Road).
Your puppy’s socialization time is short and very precious! Once you have registered your puppy for the class, you can join immediately and attend both Wednesday and Saturdays until your puppy turns 17 weeks old and is ready for the Foundation Programme. Waste no time!
NOTE: Once you register and pay for our Foundation Programme, your remaining Puppy classes are FREE!
REQUIREMENTS
Your puppy is welcome even if s/he has not yet had all vaccinations, but please discuss your attendance with your veterinarian before you come to class. Research published by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour (AVSAB) has shown that the critical periods for a puppy’s mental development is before sixteen weeks of age. The AVSAB position statement says that “…it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.”
It is also important that your puppy does not bring any communicable disease to class. Therefore, before your puppy can attend this class, we require:
1) a certificate of at least the first vaccination for each of parvo and distemper, or an antibody titer laboratory report for parvo and distemper;
2) a letter from your puppy’s veterinarian, stating that the puppy is in good health and does not appear to carry any communicable disease or parasites.
(Sample Vet Letter)
REGISTRATION
You can download the registration form here:
2012 Registration Puppy & vet letter
If you have any questions, send an e-mail to info@cowichancanine.ca or call 250-743-7648 or 250-732-5415.
The cost is $10 per class, or free if you have also registered the same puppy for our Foundation Programme.
Once your puppy turns 17 weeks old, s/he will be ready to attend the Foundation Programme.