Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Sally Howe — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:04:04 GMT

I don't run puppy parties as most wanted behaviour advice and I'm not "into" behaviour in a big way.

Not only that I think working when you're doing 50-53 hour weeks I'm not the most sociable and want to get home at the end of the day.

I did attend a couple of puppy parties and was rather worried at the advice given

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

icklepea29 — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:49:37 GMT

I commented on the previous thread about puppy parties, I love the idea of puppy parties and the brilliant chance to give the 'new' owners information and advice including knowledge on good dog ownership and when problems turn into an emergency etc (or is that just my thinking!)

I do think there a is a fine line between offering advice and telling owners behaviour advice. I do not feel comfortable talking about an owners puppies behaviour when i havent been on any courses or trained in doing so.

I do however welcome puppy classes where they are correctly socialised and given advice on worming / flea control etc etc I think puppy classes are a great chance for owners to understand the role of the veterinary nurse, i am very sure many practices run fantastic puppy classes and I do apologise if I ever sounded negative about them as I enjoy participating in them too!

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Katie B — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:32:44 GMT

I loved mine with my lab, Dustroast! They really helped me as he was my first ever dog. Plus my boyfriend Martin compiled a video of him at various puppy parties and gave me it for our first christmas together, from Dusty of course.Plus It had Merry christmas mum on the end, it's fair to say it brought a tear to my eye. It was actually the most thoughtful, special gift I have ever received. Sad aren't I? But he really is scrummy in it, soooooo cute!

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:22:26 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]

excellent way to bond clients to the practice in my opinion

[/quote]

I agree! Puppy parties in general are a good thing indeed....

But just not when I am running them

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Steph Worsley — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:10:10 GMT

I set up and ran puppy parties at 2 prev practices (obv no call for them where I am now) and loved them especially at me last practice, i had long discussions with my boss about how and when they should be run and i opted for a sat afternoon half hour after our sat surgery finished to make sure clean up etc from consults etc (only half day sats)

I did 4 week sessions and limited the number of pups/people that came as it was only me there. we did a bit of basic sit/stay and loads of preventative stuff, managed to sell loads of stuff and it gave the owners chance to speak to me in an informal way about probs.

obviously i suggested they went on to training classes once able and many did and came back in excellent well socialised and well trained puppies!

At the end of the course they got a certificate and a goody bag (filled with freebies from reps and I convinced the boss to get some personalised pens/slip leads etc and also thought about which toys each puppy seemed to enjoy the most and got them a toy similar to their fave in class)

my puppy party owners were probably the nicest bunch of clients i ever had brought me little presents at the end of their course and then when i was leaving they brought me loads of stuff.

excellent way to bond clients to the practice in my opinion and if i went back to 1st opinion i would def do them again!

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:00:44 GMT

OK, I'll be the first to put my hand up and say I hate doing puppy parties!

My main reason is that behaviour is definately my weakest point, and I'm uncomfortable being in a situation where I am the one who has to advise on it, in puppys at their most tender social age. Even when not giving definate behaviour advice, I don't like having to referee the pups, as I am never 100% sure I am doing the right thing.

I aknowledge my weak points, and make them known to colleagues, and although this does not, and certainly should not get me out of doing certain things, in every practice I have ever worked at, there have been lots of colleagues who are really into puppy parties, and are happy to do them. They are my one HUGE weakness lol! I just feel so uncomfortable.

Yes, I could do CPD to further and improve my knowledge, and I would do if I had to, but thankfully I have not had to take part in puppy parties for many years

My second reason for disliking them, is that in my experience, the owners never listen properly.

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Sal the 1st — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:51:15 GMT

a local dog training group uses our practice every week for puppy group. Is very popular and well received.

Previously I have run them at other practices I have worked but shock horror I dont have any specialist training to do so. I would agree with a previous poster its better if more than 1 person in the practice is involved. It can be an awful lot of work for just 1 person.

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Cheryl RVN — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:48:17 GMT

I love puppy parties. They are a great way to form a trusting relationship with the puppy and the client. They promote the practice and allow us time to give clients general advice on flea, worm, dental care, neutering, micro chip, training, insurance etc.. .as well as socialisation for the puppies with others puppies, staff and other people. After the puppy parties i feel that the dogs don't associate the vets with a negative experience. I touch on behaviour but highlight that i am not a behaviourist and recommend training classes.

However they do need to be well organised, with the correct amount of staff and a limited number of people/children and puppies. I found that running the parties over 3 sessions was the best way and awarding certificates and goodie bags at the end. We also asked clients to carry out a questionnaire to gain feedback on the sessions.

I recommend puppy parties as they benefit the puppy, client and the practice

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Susan Jackson — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:30:53 GMT

I stay for puppy parties to assist but have trained person come in. We don't charge and they come for free beacause it's a good boost for both practice and behaviourist.

I've learned a lot from them but I would struggle to find the time to set them up and do them myself.

I like the partnership as I can say to people go and see that person and not feel like i've fobbed them off because I don't know

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

BengalcatRVN — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:48:12 GMT

I did agree that banning them seemed a bit crazy, the only reason I'm not doing them is because of my travelling time, it would mean a late night for me and I did them for over a year last time, finishing at 9-9.30pm (after everyone had finished chatting, I'd cleaned up etc) and having to travel 2hrs home, just to see I was on an early....

Def a good idea, better if its done with more than 1 nurse!

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

shelly jefferies — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:13:23 GMT

I still LOVE doing puppy parties.

yes i have a behaviour qualification and we have a dog trainer come to one of our four weeks of puppy classes.

Not very often I find a puppy with real bad socialisation skills, i normally warn people if puppy hiding under chair etc leave to watch, don't drag out to play just stop other pups bundling them and will eventually come out. Also tend to leave these pups off lead when doing talk and others are restrained, normally find come out and play the second week.

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:46:08 GMT

I was also a bit shocked about the negativity on the previous thread.

They are a good thing. You will be able to give 95% of the pups/ owners excellent preventative healthcare advice and socialising experience which they may never have got otherwise. All good.

In the 5% of pups that do display unusual/worrying behaviours, you will be able to say 'this behaviour isn't normal in a pup of this age, and needs to be addressed.' The owners often had no idea that biting everything in sight or shaking, terrified under a chair, wasn't normal! You can then put them into contact with a pup-appropriate trainer/behaviourist. The alternative would be for it to walk into a normal pup training class and come out 100X worse than when it went in!

Go for it and well done for being prepared to go the extra mile at work! They are hard work but ultimately rewarding!

Re: Does anybody still like puppy parties?

wendy scott — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:45:17 GMT

As with everything puppy parties are good if run well. I have been involved with puppy parties for 6 years now in conjunction with a local training club that i also train with. I find this to be excellent. We have the veterinary advice side from me also i have experience and qualifications within training and behaviour and the APDT approved trainers from the training classes to help with the training aspect. I love seeing all the puppies come out of their shells!!!

Wendy :)x