Puppy Skills – Reward-Based Puppy Training in Croydon & Wantirna

Is your puppy Biting, Jumping, or Struggling to Settle?

The first few weeks with a new puppy can feel exciting, and exhausting.

If you’re navigating puppy biting, toilet training, over-excitement, or simply wondering whether you’re “doing it right”, you’re not alone. Early guidance makes a lifelong difference. 

Our Puppy Skills program offers supportive, reward-based puppy training, helping puppies and their guardians build confidence, calm behaviour, and essential life skills from the very beginning.

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.

Foundations for Everyday Life

• Responding to name

• Sit and drop

• Recall foundations (come when called)

• Beginning loose lead walking

Calm Behaviour & Emotional Regulation

• Settling and relaxation skills

• Go to mat and relax

• Giving up items willingly

• Building focus and engagement

Real-Life Puppy Challenges

• Positive strategies for puppy biting

• Toilet training guidance

• Preventing unwanted behaviours before they develop

• Confidence-building and safe social experiences

• Cooperative care skills to help make grooming and vet visits easier

You’ll also receive guidance on appropriate training equipment and how to support your puppy’s emotional development at each stage.

Our Approach: Modern, Reward-Based Puppy Training

Puppy Skills is built on modern, science-based training methods. We use reward-based techniques that prioritise your puppy’s emotional wellbeing while teaching clear, practical skills.  Training is supportive, structured and realistic.

Your trainer will be an experienced nationally accredited dog behaviour and training consultant. Our goal is not just to teach cues, but to help you understand your puppy, so you can communicate clearly and confidently long after the program ends.

Why Early Puppy Training Matters

Early training is about more than teaching sit or come.

It’s about:

• Building emotional resilience

• Creating positive associations with the world

• Supporting appropriate social skills

• Developing calm behaviours that make daily life easier

Investing in training now helps create the companion you want to live with for years to come.

Enrol in Puppy Skills Today

Small class sizes mean places are limited.

If you’re looking for professional, reward-based puppy training, Puppy Skills provides the supportive start your puppy deserves.

Secure your puppy’s place today and give them the best possible foundation for life.