Don’t Just Train Your Puppy - Learn To Understand Them Too

The first few months with a puppy are exciting, but they can also be exhausting and overwhelming. Puppy biting, jumping, toilet training, over-excitement, settling and wondering whether you're doing things the right way are all common challenges.

Puppy Skills is designed to give you the knowledge, practical skills and professional guidance you need to navigate this important stage with confidence.

You'll learn how to communicate with your puppy, teach useful everyday behaviours and recognise what your puppy is telling you, while helping them develop into a confident, calm and capable companion.

Why Choose Puppy Skills

Professional Behaviour & Training Expertise. Small Classes. Individual Guidance

You will be supported by an experienced, nationally accredited dog behaviour and training professional who understands that every puppy learns differently. This allows us to look beyond simply teaching behaviours and help you understand your puppy's communication, emotions and individual needs

Every puppy is different. Some are confident and enthusiastic, while others are cautious, sensitive or easily overwhelmed. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, Puppy Skills considers the individual puppy and adapts support according to what they need.

Classes are limited to 6 puppies, allowing your puppy to receive individual attention and giving you the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance specific to your puppy. This is particularly important when puppies respond differently to new people, other dogs, unfamiliar environments or the challenges of learning

Puppy Training At The Right Age

Puppies can begin our Puppy Skills program between 8 and 16 weeks of age, once they have had at least their first vaccination. This is a critical developmental window, and beginning training early within this period allows you to positively shape your puppy’s behaviour, confidence and emotional resilience while they are naturally most receptive to learning. Experiences during these early weeks have a lasting impact. With structured, reward-based guidance and carefully managed exposure to new environments, people and experiences, puppies develop the skills they need to grow into calm, capable and emotionally secure companions. Early enrolment ensures you make the most of this formative stage rather than trying to address challenges later.

Classes are held in Croydon and Wantirna, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, in clean, welcoming indoor spaces designed to support safe learning and positive social experiences. Shy puppies are gently supported to build confidence at their own pace, while more excitable puppies are guided towards calmer behaviours, improved focus, and better self-regulation for everyday life. Every puppy is treated as an individual, with their emotional wellbeing at the centre of the program, while you learn clear, practical skills to continue their progress at home. Places are limited to keep class sizes small, so booking early will help secure your puppy’s spot during this important stage.

Who Is Puppy Skills For?

This program is ideal for:

• First-time puppy guardians wanting clear guidance and reassurance

• Experienced dog owners who want the best foundation for their new puppy

• Families who want practical, real-life training skills

• Guardians looking for professional, force-free puppy training in Melbourne

Small class sizes ensure every puppy and guardian receives individual support.

What Your Puppy Will Learn

Across our four-week, in-person Puppy Skills program, you’ll gain practical skills you can begin using immediately at home and throughout life.

Manners Foundations

• Responding to their name

• Sit and drop

• Recall foundations (come when called)

• Beginning loose lead walking

• Focus and engagement

Calm Behaviour And Emotional Regulation

• Settling and relaxation skills

• Go to mat and relax

• Developing self-regulation

• Maintaining attention around distractions

• Learning to disengage and settle

Common Puppy Challenges

• Positive strategies for puppy biting

• Toilet training guidance

• Jumping and over-excitement

• Giving up items willingly

• Preventing unwanted behaviours

Confidence & Life Skills

• Confidence-building

• Safe and appropriate social experience

• Cooperative care skills

• Preparing for handling, grooming and vet visits

• Appropriate training equipment

• Supporting your puppy’s emotional development

These are skills for real life, not simply behaviours to perform in a training class.

Training With Kindness — Never Fear Or Force

Puppy Skills uses modern, science-based, force-free positive reinforcement training methods that prioritise your puppy's emotional wellbeing. We will never use fear, force or aversive training methods. Instead, we create positive learning experiences by rewarding behaviours we want to see more often and helping puppies understand what we are asking them to do. Our approach is supportive, structured and focused on building trust, communication and a willingness to learn.

Training After Puppy Skills

Puppy Skills provides the foundations for your puppy's ongoing training. As your puppy grows, their needs change too, and continuing their education helps build on the skills you've developed during these important early months. Smart Choice Dog Training offers ongoing training programs to help you continue developing your dog's skills through the different stages of life.

Ready To Give Your Puppy The Best Start?

View upcoming Puppy Skills programs and reserve your place by clicking on FIND & BOOK A PUPPY SKILLS CLASS or use the BOOK NOW button.