Puppy School

Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but it can also be a little overwhelming. Toilet training, biting, jumping up, walking nicely, coming back when called and somehow getting them to settle can suddenly feel like quite a lot.

Puppy School is three one-to-one puppy training sessions in Henley-on-Thames and the surrounding area, in your own home, designed around your family and the things you actually need help with.

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There’s no class to keep up with and no fixed timetable of exercises. We can work at your puppy’s pace and concentrate on the skills that will make the biggest difference to everyday life.

3 × one-hour sessions | £170 | In your home

Why train at home?

If you're looking for a puppy trainer but don't fancy a traditional group class, Puppy School gives you practical, individual help in the place you need it most: at home. Home is where most puppy life actually happens.

It’s where they bite your ankles, wee on the rug, jump at the children, steal things they shouldn’t have and suddenly discover that settling down in the evening is apparently impossible.

Training at home means I can see your puppy in their normal environment and help you make training work around your actual family life.

It also means we can start as soon as your puppy comes home. There’s no need to wait until they are ready to attend a group class before starting work on toilet training, handling, confidence, biting, settling and positive socialisation.

What we'll cover

Every Puppy School is slightly different, but this gives you an idea of what we might work through.

Session 1: Settling In
Name recognition • gentle handling • toilet training • puppy biting • confidence • positive play • Sit & Down
We'll start with the things that make those first weeks together easier, while introducing some simple training exercises and helping you understand how your puppy learns.

Session 2: Everyday Skills
Leave • Give • Settle • Stay • owner focus • foundations for loose-lead walking
We'll start building the skills your puppy will need in everyday family life, including learning how to switch off as well as how to listen to you.

Session 3: Out Into the World
Socialisation • loose-lead walking • recall • front-door manners • managing excitement and reactivity
We'll take those foundations into the real world and look at helping your puppy grow into a confident dog who can cope with the people, dogs and experiences they encounter.

But this isn't a rigid syllabus. If toilet training is going brilliantly but your puppy is turning into a tiny crocodile every evening, we'll spend our time on the crocodile!

Puppy School isn't about creating the puppy who can perform the most commands.

It's about helping you raise a dog who can cope with everyday family life.

As a qualified Canine Behaviourist as well as a trainer, I'll help you understand why your puppy is behaving the way they are, as well as showing you what to do.

We'll look at training, but also confidence, frustration, arousal, communication and socialisation, helping to prevent common puppy problems before they become established.

And you don't have to remember everything afterwards

You'll get your own Family Dogs training folder to keep.

There can be a lot to remember during a training session, so I don't expect you to go away and remember every word I've said!

You'll receive clear, illustrated Family Dogs guides for the exercises we're working on, giving everyone at home the same simple instructions to follow between lessons.

Your folder grows throughout Puppy School, giving you a useful training resource to come back to as your puppy grows.

Why choose one-to-one Puppy School?

Group puppy classes can be great for some puppies and owners. One-to-one Puppy School simply offers something different.

Because your sessions take place at home:

the training is completely tailored to your puppy
we don't have to follow a set class syllabus
your whole family can be involved
we can work on problems where they're actually happening
your puppy isn't expected to learn surrounded by lots of other puppies
sessions can be spaced to give you time to practise in between

The three sessions are usually completed weekly, although some families prefer to spread them across four or five weeks.

When should I start Puppy School?

Because Puppy School takes place in your own home, there's no need to wait until your puppy is ready to attend a group class. In fact, those first few weeks are a brilliant opportunity to work on settling, toilet training, biting, handling, confidence and positive socialisation.

Can my children be involved?

Absolutely.

If your puppy is going to grow up as part of a family, I want the children to understand them too. Where appropriate, I'll involve children in simple training games and help them learn how to play, interact and communicate safely with their puppy.

Is Puppy School suitable for rescue dogs?

Yes. The sessions are tailored to the individual dog rather than following a rigid age-based syllabus.

If you've adopted an adult rescue dog, get in touch and we can decide whether Puppy School or a standard one-to-one training session would be more appropriate.

How much does Puppy School cost?

The Puppy School course is charged at £170, which includes three personalised sessions in your home as well as your very own homework folder filled with games and exercises to practice. Payment is made in advance of your first lesson.

What happens after Puppy School?

You'll have support throughout the course and are welcome to contact me if you have questions about the exercises we've been working on.

As your puppy gets older, you can also book individual follow-up sessions if you'd like help with new challenges or want to take their training further.

Are you insured?

Yes! I am fully insured.

About Family Dogs

I'm Lizzie, a qualified Canine Behaviourist and puppy trainer based in Lower Shiplake, near Henley-on-Thames, providing one-to-one dog and puppy training across Henley and the surrounding area.

I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Canine Behavioural Science and am currently studying towards Level 5 as part of my ongoing professional development.

I am a member of The Guild of Dog Trainers, signed up to the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, and a member of the International Society for Animal Professionals. Additionally, I am a registered member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

I'm fully insured and DBS checked.

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