Policy

Puppy Class Early Attendance Policy

For puppies attending before their vaccination course is complete.

At Positive Paws we believe that early, positive socialisation is one of the most important steps in helping your puppy grow into a happy, confident adult dog. The socialisation "window" between 3–14 weeks of age is a critical period for learning, and missing it can increase the risk of fear, anxiety, or behaviour problems later in life.

This follows the position taken by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) in its Position Statement on Puppy Socialization, alongside current guidance from the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA) and other leading veterinary and behaviour professionals. On that basis, I welcome puppies to class after their first vaccination, provided the following conditions are met.

What I need from you

Your puppy has received their first vaccination at least 7 days before their first class
Your puppy has had their first worming treatment
Your puppy is fit and well on the day — no vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing or lethargy
No other pets in your household are showing signs of infectious illness

The safety measures I have in place

Classes are held indoors, in a secure, disinfected environment with no public dog traffic
I do have access to an outdoor area, but only use it with puppies who have completed their vaccinations
No shared water bowls, and no uncleaned toys

Important — please read this bit properly

While the risk of infectious disease in our controlled environment is very low, it is not zero.

By attending before your puppy's vaccination course is complete, you accept this small residual risk in return for the significant lifelong benefits of early socialisation.

If you're unsure

Please speak with your vet. I'm very happy to work alongside them to support both your puppy's health and their behavioural wellbeing.

If you'd rather wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated, that's completely fine. Just let me know and we'll find you a later course.

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