Puppy classes

Re: Puppy classes

Mrs Dot Dot — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:46:03 GMT

As long as they have had their 1st vacc then they are invited.... we always use Virkon on the floors, have footbaths for the owners feet, and then they can go on the floor... they are held in our waiting room.... so far, no problems. I tend to think the benefits of early socialisation/ good associations with the practice etc, outweigh any risks associated with the chance of picking something up from another not fully vaccinated puppy... I also always ring the owners to confirm the puppy party, a couple of days before and if they aren't 100% they they don't come along

Re: Puppy classes

Emma John — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:21:59 GMT

I was just wondering- at what age do you start inviting pups? Do you wait for them to have finished their full vacc course or is just first vacc ok? Just curious thats all.

Re: Puppy classes

Sarah S — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:41:56 GMT

Thanks guys some good tips here. Most practices I've worked at charge for the puppy socialisation classes and the clients don't seem to mind paying it and actually some think its £5 per class. I always explain to our clients that the classes are socilisation classes and aren't training classes however we do go over basic training techniques. we only have 5 pups per class and try and make sure we have an even mix of small, medium and large pups so small pups don't get scraed or squashed.

I'll certainly ring round some reps on Monday and see what I can do.

Good luck with your classes Vicky. I'm sure you'll do great and enjoy then, they are so much fun.

Re: Puppy classes

Vicky RVN — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:05:25 GMT

The fact they can do more harm than good is what scares me! We've been to see someone who used to run puppy parties and is up on her behaviour so that was helpful. We're also going to a couple of other vets to watch theirs to pick up some good points. And i've spoken to the trainer i use for Jack (who is fantastic on behaviour) and she's quite happy for us to go along to her puppy classes for some hints! Looking forward to that, puppies to play with

Cool i'll give Royal Canin and Petplan a ring. Our Petplan rep is good...but Royal Canin one isn't so good, takes a long time to get stuff out of them!

Re: Puppy classes

Maisy — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:47:50 GMT

Hi Vicky

Royal Canin gave things like vouchers for food (plus the pups get a free 2/4kg bag when they join as well), leads, bowls and cute food bins/rugs. Petplan had things more for the owners like pens, diaries and for the dogs, frisbies! Make friends with your reps and they will help you with a lot of stuff, Novartis actually are really helpful too.

I think on the whole they're a really good idea when carried out correctly. One of our clients took her dog to her last practices puppy parties and they had no limit on the number of pups. There were larger puppies tormented the smaller/scared ones, there was no structure to the class and the pups were just left to get on with it. Hopefully this isn't very common any more as I know people who I've spoken to in the past (dog owners rather than veterinary staff) have avoided their vets puppy classes as they end up a bit of a shambles which is a real shame. They have such value to the practice for bonding and socialisation but if not done correctly, they can do a lot more harm than good I suppose.

Re: Puppy classes

Vicky RVN — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:22:27 GMT

I want to charge people a £5 refundable deposit to hopefully stop them not arriving, it would really annoy me if i'd turned people away and then the people who'd signed up didn't arrive! If they don't come we'll keep the £5 and put it in our charity collection or something. We are a Royal Canin practice, what have they given you? We've had can lids and leads from them before. We are a Petplan practice, what freebies did they give you?

I'm a bit nervous about it all! I said i'd only do it with someone else, too scary doing it on my own! That's why i've got one of our lovely vets doing it with me

Re: Puppy classes

Maisy — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:15:06 GMT

I charge for my puppy classes (£25 for a 3 session course). Mainly I limit the class to five pups, and because the demand is there this lead to some people having to wait til the next intake. There was always people who just didn't turn up and wasting a space that someone else could use. The cost issue generally reduces this from happening! Plus they get their free pack and full handout/information pack that I've written up too so the boss insisted on charging!

Royal Canin are great at giving us things for the puppy packs (though better if you're a RCW practice), though most other companies like Petplan were really generous too. Its a great way of getting the pups socialised though as you can tell the older pups who've been to the classes as they're so much more enthusiastic about being here

Re: Puppy classes

Jo RVN — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:40:46 GMT

I run puppy classes, free of charge and we have some fab goodie bags they get. From reps I have managed to get the free frontline samples, raggy toys and a poo bag dispenser. We don't charge as it isn't a training class I just go through some different topics (two consecutive wednesdays) then we have a socialisation time. Really successful and great for client loyalty - have last years pups coming in for neutering now, and a lot come in every month/3 months for weighing and worming!

Re: Puppy classes

Vicky RVN — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:08:53 GMT

I'm in the process of setting up puppy parties with one of our vets. We're thinking of doing a 2 class course, at 45min or an hour each class. We're not going to charge. I'm going to phone round some reps so i can put together some goodie bags. The practice will prob be happy to pay for something small to go in them as well. We sell Royal Canin oral bars so thinking maybe a pack of them in each goodie bag for when the pup is older or something.

Re: Puppy classes

MrsP — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:02:08 GMT

We don't currently run puppy classes, but at my last practice, we charged £30 for a 6 week course (1 hour each week) and gave away goodie bags in which were practice pens and leaflets and 'freebies' from various drug companies such as toys, bowls, poo bags (!), puppy training pads, food samples etc. It's worth ringing all of them to see what you can get!! Each week was split into socialising time for the puppies and a different topic of discussion each week. Also treats for puppies that behaved (all of them of course ) At the end of each session they got info sheets and at the end of the course a certificate and photo. Sounds cheesy, but had a very good uptake (and still does to my knowledge!). Hope that helps a little.

Re: Puppy classes

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:05:07 GMT

I agree with Sandra, they are normally free and are a fantastic way of client/practice bonding.

Regarding the leads, quite often, a drug company will sponsor them. In the practice where I used to work, Merial sponsored ours and they had a piece on them about Frontline. Perhaps you could try that?

Re: Puppy classes

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 16 May 2009 11:51:59 GMT

I have never heard of any practice actually charging anything for puppy classes.Thats not to say they dont, just that everywhere I have worked they are usually free.