Puppy School Success Stories
Why not let everyone know how you and your puppy have benefited from Puppy School. Just complete this simple form.
We will publish the best stories and give a prize for the most outstanding every 3 months.
Nell
Breed: Border Collie
Owner's name: Jackie Clarke
Tutor's name: Claire Luscombe
Class: Torquay
Comments:
My puppy, Nell, attended Claire's class in the summer of 2007. I have had dogs all my life but still think it is a good idea to get some formal training (mainly for me) each time I have a puppy. Having got three other dogs, I decided that the sooner Nell and I got training the better so rang Claire and enrolled. It was one of the best things I have ever done. Claire was fantastic, loved all the dogs and Nell really loved her. It was very much the case of Nell watching Claire's every move and when Claire demonstrated something, it seemed Nell was saying pick me.
The training was really so simple and so straightforward that when we got home we tried some of the techniques out on Tess, Nell's mum. Tess had come from a farm, moved to a house, had a litter of puppies, got spayed and then started having a real life with us, daily walks and titbits for training, what more could a girl want. They are so eager to learn, the techniques worked on the older dogs and we have great fun when the titbit box comes out. Tess is so eager, she spins, sits, gives a paw, and goes down without even being asked now, she just wants that tit-bit!!
I have recommended Claire and Puppy School to people and would definitely do so in the future. I think it was so worthwhile starting really young with Nell and now when I take the three collies out on the beach, although Nell and Tess run ahead to chase the seagulls, as soon as I call, they are back to me.
Rosie
Breed: Springer Spaniel
Owner's name: Chrissie & Giles Davis
Tutor's name: Bobs Broadbent
Class: Lewisham
Comments:
We have now done two courses with Bobs and we are really pleased with the results. Rosie is extremely high-spirited but well-behaved and most importantly happy. We would definitely recommend Puppy School to all dog owners.
Bertie
Breed: Staffordshire cross with Whippet/Parson's terrier?
Owner's name: Karen Thomas
Tutor's name: Bobs Broadbent
Class: Lewisham
Comments:
I attended Puppy School for six weeks. Bertie had had a bad start, having two owners before getting to me. I therefore needed some direction and instruction on how best to train Bertie while acquiring the confidence to carry out the training once I had left the class. Over the 6 weeks Bobs taught us all the basic commands and techniques that we would need to use with our puppies.
Bertie responded very quickly and very well to the reward based training and these early successes gave me the confidence to put the training into action on a daily basis. In particular the walking on the lead exercise has enhanced all my outdoor time with Bertie and as he has grown older he has learnt 'wait'. This has enabled me to feel in control of an energetic puppy and give him the boundaries that he has needed to cope with all the distractions when out and about.
Calling back your puppy has also been useful and I can now get Bertie back even when he finds fabulous four legged friends to bound around with. Overall, the Puppy School helped me to gain a clear picture of what Bertie and I needed to do to form a healthy and happy human/canine relationship and I believe that Puppy School taught both of us how to achieve that and to keep on practising.
Bobs has also been supportive in suggesting ideas to help get Bertie clean and dry at night, and he has now achieved this too.
Benson
Breed: Tibetan terrier
Owner's name: Vanessa De Santa Anna
Tutor's name: Penaran Higgs
Class: North London
Comments:
I LOVED the puppy classes, as did he each week. They've meant I'VE been educated in what you should and shouldn't do with a puppy to ensure a well rounded dog and he had some great socialization!!
Charley
Breed: Golden Labrador
Owner's name: Bronwyn Tyson
Tutor's name: Bobs Broadbent
Class: Lewisham
Comments:
Charley loved puppy school (she never wanted to leave classes), it certainly stimulated her and she is now a well adjusted, adorable pet.
Millie
Breed: Spanish Waterdog
Owner's name: Frances and Nicky
Tutor's name: Bobs Broadbent
Class: Lewisham
Comments:
When we started Puppy School Millie was really nervous around other dogs and people (she spent most of the first 2 weeks hiding under our chair!) but was starting to rule the roost at home, jumping on furniture, chewing etc.
Bobs immediately seemed to understand our puppy's personality and needs and facilitated free off-the-lead play with some of the other dogs which helped both Millie and us grow in confidence - at first she would only approach other dogs when their backs were turned but now she is very confident and has lots of dog-friends! This is a particular achievement as Millie's breed is known to be particularly wary and needs lots of socialisation with both dogs and people.
Puppy School also allowed us to grow enormously in our confidence in handling her and allowed us to really enjoy her. We now have a lovely, well-behaved and well socialised dog (who still occasionally steals socks!) who we love!
Freya
Breed: Golden Retriever
Owner's name: Louise Senior
Tutor's name: Delia Graham
Class: Loughborough
Comments:
When we decided that the time was right to have a dog, we went to see some Golden Retriever puppies for sale. We were told they were 3 months old and they had spent their whole life in a barn.
We fell in love with a beautiful girl and brought her home two days later. Unfortunately we were not prepared for the damage done to her by being stuck in a barn. To say that she was timid would be an understatement! She was petrified of everything and everyone, and wouldn't leave the lounge for a week. In despair we phoned Delia Graham, who came over the next day. She was incredibly kind and reassuring, gave us lots of tips to use and encouraged us not to give up.
She also invited us to puppy classes where with her gentle help and great training techniques a happy and more confident dog emerged. We were the proudest 'parents' on earth when Freya received her certificate and rosette for completing the course, we simply can't thank Delia enough. Freya will always be a timid dog but with a lot of love and patience is getting better everyday.
Mack
Breed: Newfoundland
Owner's name: Roy & Jo Bown
Tutor's name: Delia Graham
Class: Loughborough
Comments:
Mack loved going to Delia's class and we felt we learnt how to teach Mack, it's us that needed the training to be able to teach our puppy. We learnt so much from Delia and we now feel we have a better understanding of dog behaviour and we own a dog who is socially respected.
Mack is our fourth Newfoundland but you never stop learning and puppy socialisation is very important to gain a confident puppy and to ensure a happy and well behaved puppy for handler and members of the public. Thank you Delia, you worked so hard to ensure your classes were enjoyable for the puppies and not just all work and training.
Your success story
If you have your own success story then let us know and we will publish it on this page.