Puppy School

Puppy Classes at Burke Road Veterinary Clinic

Give your puppy the best possible start with our fun, supportive, and science-based training classes — hosted right here at our clinic and led by local behaviour experts Thrive Canine.

Ready to enrol straight away? You can do so directly via this link.

Should I Enrol in Puppy Classes?

Yes – even if you’ve trained a dog before, including recently. 

Why?

Because…

• Best practice is always evolving: Just like any science, dog behaviour and training is constantly developing and improving. We recommend attending puppy classes with a reputable provider every time you welcome home a new puppy. You never know what you might learn!
• Puppies need early socialisation and exposure: The first few months of your puppy’s life are critical for social development and confidence building. If your puppy is not positively socialised before 16 weeks, it can have a lifelong impact on their social skills and confidence. Attending a carefully managed puppy class facilitates safe exposure to dogs, people and novel stimuli long before your pup is fully vaccinated.
• Learn real world skills, not ‘obedience’: Our classes aren’t about traditional ‘obedience’ – boring! We focus on helping you develop a confident, resilient puppy so that they grow into an adult dog who is pleasant to live with. 
• Prevent common problem behaviours: By getting on the front foot with training, you can prevent common issues such as pulling on lead and jumping up from ever occurring.
• Receive expert guidance: Our trainers are here to support you through unexpected challenges, during puppyhood and beyond. In a sea of misinformation (hello, Internet), having a reliable and educated resource you can trust from the beginning of your journey with your dog is invaluable.

But… it’s crucial to choose an ethical, educated provider to set you and your dog up for success.

What Makes Our Classes Different?

Educated, Experienced Trainers

All our classes are delivered by experienced, highly skilled trainers who are either qualified or currently studying qualifications with a reputable training organisation, such as the Delta Institute or Karen Pryor Academy.

Unlike most other providers, our education doesn’t stop there. We pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest scientifically proven training methods, and are continually enrolled in continuing education courses, attending conferences, and collaborating with like-minded peers.

The dog training industry is unregulated, and most providers lack the theoretical knowledge and practical experience which we are proud to offer at our clinic.

100% Force-Free Methods

In line with modern science and ethics, we use only the most up-to-date, force free training methods in our classes. Force free training, also known as positive reinforcement training, is a humane and science-based approach to dog training which focuses on encouraging desired behaviours without resort to force, fear, or punishment.

Your dog’s mental health and wellbeing are always front of mind. This means that we will never recommend or use the following strategies:

• yelling or growling at your dog to frighten them into compliance;
• yanking your dog by the lead or physically moving them into position;
• using harsh tools such as slip leads or check chains; or
• forcing your dog into a situation that makes them uncomfortable or from which they cannot escape.

Instead, we focus on using management to prevent unwanted behaviour, rewarding desirable behaviour, building trust, and strengthening the bond between you and your puppy.

Positive Experiences at Your Vet Clinic

Classes are hosted within our clinic, giving you peace of mind that your puppy is learning in a sterilised, safe environment. If you are a client of our clinic, attending our puppy school is also a great way for your puppy to develop a positive association with their veterinary environment.

What You and Your Puppy Will Learn

Our course has been carefully developed over many years, drawing on both practical experience and theoretical learning.

We cover:

• Basic cues (such as sit, drop, and recall)
• How to walk politely on lead
• How to read your dog’s body language
• ‘Socialisation’ and how to develop a confident, resilient dog
• Co-operative care for positive vet and groomer visits
• Mitigating risk of common behaviour problems such as aggression and separation distress

We also provide practical guidance on common puppy challenges such as toilet training, teething, and settling in at home.

Key Course Details

• Small class sizes (maximum 5 puppies) for personalised support
• Suitable for puppies aged 8–16 weeks (minimum one vaccination required)
• Written resources and a one-hour online lesson provided in advance of the first class
• Four one-hour in-person sessions run over consecutive weeks (excluding public holidays)
• Weekly take-home notes and resources
• Connecting you with industry-leading professional for ongoing support as required

Spaces are limited to ensure every puppy receives individual attention and has a positive experience in class.

Ready to Get Started?

You can enrol by visiting Thrive Canine’s website, thrivecanine.com.au, or directly via this link.

We look forward to seeing you in class!