Big Puppy School - Taming the Teenagers
5 Week Course in Collaboration with the Pet Wellness Hub
Available spots
Service Description
Starting: Saturday 26 September 2026. Time: 2 pm - 3.15 pm Suitable for: Dogs Aged between 6 months - 12 months Location: Pet Wellness Hub, Shop 3, Princess Street, Bundaberg East Puppyhood may be over, but the learning certainly isn’t! Adolescence can be a challenging stage for both dogs and their owners. The puppy who once followed you everywhere may suddenly seem distracted by everything, forget their recall, pull on the lead, struggle to listen around other dogs, or find the outside world far more exciting than you are. Big Puppy School – Taming the Teenagers is a practical 5-week training program designed to help adolescent dogs and their owners navigate this important stage with greater confidence, connection and understanding. Working in partnership with Debbie from The Pet Wellness Hub, we combine positive reinforcement training with practical guidance around behaviour, wellbeing and the changing needs of the adolescent dog. Rather than simply teaching obedience exercises, our focus is on developing the skills you actually need in everyday life. Throughout the five weeks, we will work on: • Handler engagement and focus – helping your dog learn to check in and stay connected with you when the environment is exciting • Loose lead walking – developing practical skills for calmer, more enjoyable walks • Recall – building a stronger response when you call your dog, even when there are distractions • Leave it – teaching your dog to disengage from things they would rather investigate • Calmness and self-control – helping excitable teenage dogs learn that they don’t always need to be doing something • Working around distractions – learning to train successfully in the presence of other dogs and everyday environmental distractions • Confidence and communication – helping you understand your adolescent dog and communicate more clearly • Appropriate enrichment – finding constructive outlets for teenage energy, curiosity and natural behaviour Classes are deliberately kept small so that you and your dog receive individual guidance while still benefiting from learning around other dogs. Whether your teenager has developed a sudden case of “selective hearing”, forgotten everything they learned at puppy school, or simply needs some help turning good foundations into reliable real-world skills, Big Puppy School is about helping you enjoy this stage rather than simply surviving it. Booking link to follow soon, or call Mandy on 0418 279 009 to reserve a spot.
Cancellation Policy
To ensure a safe, positive and productive learning environment for dogs and their handlers, and fairness to all participants, the following terms apply. A dog's place is confirmed only once full payment has been received. As places are strictly limited, bookings are allocated on a first paid, first served basis. Class Suitability: Big Puppy School is a small group training program designed for adolescent dogs who are able to work safely and comfortably in the presence of other dogs and people. This class is not suitable for dogs who are reactive towards other dogs or people. This may include dogs who bark, lunge, growl or become significantly distressed or difficult to manage when in the presence of other dogs or people. This is not a judgement on the dog or their behaviour. Due to the available space and resources, the group environment cannot provide the distance and individual support that a reactive dog may need to learn successfully. If you are unsure whether Big Puppy School is suitable for your dog, please contact Mandy at Working Wonders Dog Training (0418 279 009) before booking. Individual 1:1 training can be arranged where appropriate. If, during the program, a dog's behaviour indicates that the group environment is not appropriate for them or is compromising the safety or welfare of the dog, handlers, or other participants, we reserve the right to discuss alternative training arrangements with the owner. To maintain a calm, focused and safe learning environment for both dogs and handlers, children are not able to attend Big Puppy School sessions. Due to space limitations, one designated handler per dog will participate in the practical training exercises. One additional adult is welcome to attend as an observer, allowing another family member to see what is being taught and support the dog's training at home. Cancellations: More than 14 days before the course start date: A full refund will be provided, less a $25 administration fee. 7–14 days before the course start date: A 50% refund will be provided. Less than 7 days before the course start date: No refund will be available unless your place can be filled from a waiting list. After the Course Has Started No refunds are available for missed classes, partial attendance, or withdrawal. If your dog develops an infectious illness, vomiting, diarrhoea, kennel cough, or a condition that may place other dogs at risk, please do not attend that week's class. Course material will be provided.