Beautiful, soft, cheeky, bouncy, lovable, cute, cuddly all describe our new puppy - and everybody agrees. BUT, be aware our puppy, (regardless of breed, sex, or size) has an inbred desire to get the most out of everything. The puppy does this with their littermates - through play fights, games etc to determine the fastest, the strongest and the best leader.

We are tempted to be drawn into these games with puppies and like to treat them like babies, only to discover that the puppy starts nipping, biting and chasing the kids.

60% of puppies' learning is between the 8 th and 16 th week - an ideal period for a puppy class. Here they learn the right social manner with people and other dogs - a crucial learning period to achieve a well behaved, problem-free dog for the years of its life.

At 8 weeks, the puppy will not yet be fully immunised and there are risks, however, vets and canine professionals strongly believe the benefits of attending a reputable puppy class outweigh any risk to the puppy. A professionally run class will have a clean training environment and supply guidelines to minimise risks - whilst ensuring the puppy class is enjoyable for you and your pup - maximising learning and time.

There are plenty of puppy schools around with nearly as many training methods. Make the most of this short window of opportunity, go to puppy classes and try those that promote 'reward-based training'. A small investment in time and money will get the best out of your friend for life!

BALLARAT:

• Well organised and presented. C. 06/07
• Very friendly atmosphere, and good advice. B. 06/07
• Was great for the puppies, really happy with all the information given. Everything was basic with easy steps to follow. It was great to be able to ask questions. C. 06/07
• Trainer was always approachable and willing to spend time to help me and my puppy. B. 07/07
• Was great for our puppy to meet other people and puppies in a relaxed environment R 4.07
• She's like the Puppy Whisperer® - made sense and her techniques were easy to implement T&L 4.07
• Liz is a very good and patient teacher M 4.07
• Yes, the very first lesson was a success, very good & friendly approach. After the first lesson we noticed an improvement straight away E 3.07

GEELONG:

• Very impressed with how it all came together. After 4 weeks the pups really learned all the commands. D.P. 8.06
• More than met expectations. I didn't expect that socialising was so important. We learned a lot more in such a short time than we ever anticipated. I think it would also be valuable for all owners to read The Dog Whisperer® book and have you over for a house visit - it helped us heaps!! Deb, thank you SO much. W&D 8.06
• Deb was fantastic - very easy to relate to and work with. Great course that enabled the family to join in. M.S. 8.06
• We spoke to Deb on the phone and she sounded really nice and fun so we chose DogTech for our puppy class rather than some of the others we were considering. Thank you Deb and we will see you when we get another dog. D&J & Bosko. 8.06

WERRIBEE:

• Better than I thought it would be - covered all that we needed and more. T.B. 5.07
• Enjoyed the question time at end of each lesson. Nothing was too much trouble for Deb to answer. J.L. 3.07
• Very helpful and informative. Will recommend to others. P.N. 3.07
• Peppa had a wonderful time and so did we. S.B. 5.07
• Outstanding puppy and parent training. Thanks Deb! B&J 5.07
• Loved the overall fun of the class but also very useful info. L.W. 4.07
• Heaps of good ideas - things I wouldn't have even known what to do. Thank you. A.P. 5.07

BURWOOD:

• Happy with approach & information. Enjoyed swapping the dogs to work with. P 5.07
• Above expectations; would like more classes. Very well explained. P 5.07
• Yes content was easily applicable to situations & very informative. Very clear. H 5.07
• Very helpful L 5.07
• Great Experience T 5.07
• Good format N 5.07
• Informative and very enjoyable not only for puppy, but also owners PM 5.07
• Very well presented with good justification & training techniques. Thoroughly enjoyable and very helpful D 4.07
• Simple, specific, instructional approach M 4.07