Puppy & Dog School
Every owner wants a happy, sociable and contented dog. Give your pet the best start by joining our Puppy & Dog School. We run a number of courses to set you and your dog up for success, run by certified trainers.
Stage 1
Aimed at newly vaccinated puppies – from approximately 10+ weeks of age.
Stage 2
For dogs approximately 6+ month olds – when puppies typically enter their ‘teens’.
Stage 3
For dogs with intermediate training & Stage 2 graduates looking to progress their skills.
There are three stages of course:
Stage 1 Course – newly vaccinated puppies up to approximately 5 months
The course gives you and your puppy:
- our in-person group classes give your pup the opportunity to meet others in a fun yet calm and controlled environment
- our online classes help advise on socialising your puppy and avoiding unwanted behaviours where in-person group classes may not be possible for your circumstances
- understanding of how dogs think and the importance of not pressuring your pup
- the skills to avoid unwanted behaviours
- basic training from recall to walking to heel
- the tools you need to ensure you have a long and happy relationship with your dog
You will also receive handouts and summary email reminders each week.
Stage 2 Course – dogs aged 6+ months that are graduates of Stage 1 or had basic training (pre-requisites required)
This course helps your young dog:
- get to grips with further training skills
- understand crisis management
- introduce distance control
- learn placement cues
- and learn some fun tricks too!
This course is essential as most puppies reach puberty around this time, so it keeps them ‘on track’. You will also receive handouts & summary email reminders each week.
Stage 3 Course – dogs that have graduated from Stage 2 or have had intermediate training
This course helps you and your dog…
- learn to better manage your dog’s energy and enthusiasm
- capture your dog’s attention
- increase the reliability of responses
- learn distance control including ‘stays’ with heavy distraction
- maintain those skills already learnt
- continue your understanding of how dogs think, learn and what motivates them
You will also receive handouts & summary email reminders each week.
Puppy Taster – 1hr calm, structured introduction to early training and social development
Early learning matters. What your puppy experiences now can shape how they respond to people, other dogs and the wider world for years to come. Across the year, we run one-hour Puppy Taster Classes with Clinical Animal Behaviourist Hanne Grice, who offers a calm, structured introduction to early training and social development. These are typically held at 9.30am at the scenic Hastoe Village Hall. The Puppy Taster session gives you the opportunity to explore how your puppy begins to make sense of their environment and what you can do to support that process.
You’ll experience Hanne’s science-led approach in practice, with practical guidance, expert insight and the chance to ask questions throughout. The session also provides a gentle, safe space for your puppy to encounter new sights, sounds, and social interactions, helping build emotional stability and attention from the outset. Whether you’re seeking support with early challenges or want to lay solid foundations, this taster session will help you begin your puppy’s education with confidence and clarity.
You’ll also get handouts and some discounted offers as part of your Taster class.
Places are limited and booking is essential. Reserve your space via our Times & Booking page: https://www.hannegrice.com/puppy-dog-school/booking-classes/
Not sure which course is right for you or your dog?
Contact us and we’d be delighted to help recommend the right training plan for you.
Our courses are designed to help you understand your dog from puppyhood and beyond. We help you understand what drives your dog’s behaviour, teach you how to promote wanted behaviour and tackle the unwanted stuff too, all in a calm and controlled way. We welcome young handlers/family members; children under 15 years must be supervised by an adult.
Methodology & Equipment: We focus on positive reinforcement methods, utilising various training methods for speed of acquisition of behaviours, reliability and greater dog-owner focus. Numerous studies highlight the fall-out associated with aversives used in ‘traditional’ training (e.g. yanking the lead, shouting, pushing the dog into position etc), this can include increased risk of owner-directed aggression and anxiety. Compulsion methods together with equipment including choke collars and half-check are strictly forbidden at Puppy & Dog School.
Worming & Vaccinations: as many veterinary organisations agree, puppies can start socialisation as early as 7-8 weeks of age. However, puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days before their first class and first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class. Our matting is sanitised before classes with dog-safe cleaning materials, and hands washed regularly, to ensure the safety and welfare of all.
How long do the courses run for?
Our group classes at Nora Grace Hall and Hastoe Village Hall are typically six weeks, as well as our Online classes.
When are the classes held?
Group classes are held Mondays evenings at the Nora Grace Hall in Tring, HP23 5BA, and Fridays at Hastoe Village Hall in Hastoe, HP23 6LU.
Our Puppy Taster classes are ad hoc throughout the year, and are 1 hour, held Fridays at Hastoe Village Hall in Hastoe, HP23 6LU.
How large are the classes?
Our class sizes are kept small to ensure you and your dog are given the attention you deserve in an calm environment.
I am unable to attend the classes in person, is there anything else I can try?
Yes we have the Puppy Package via my online Learning Hub. This will give you all you need from prepping before you get your puppy, settling them in during the early days, through to tackling typical unwanted puppy problems from play biting, jumping up, teaching them to cope with being home alone, to practical training such as recall, loose lead and more. This is a one-stop shop for all your puppy’s needs and questions. Click here for information
How are the classes affected by illness/COVID-19?
When permissible, we run in-person group classes with restricted numbers during any outbreaks/pandemics.
Outside of these periods we welcome dog handlers to wear their masks, and we sanitise items, and ensure matting is cleaned between lessons.
During lockdowns, our classes are held live and online classes via our private video link, which you will receive access to upon sign-up. With extended periods at home, this presents a fantastic opportunity to introduce key behaviours to your pets and set them up for success.
Watch the video below to hear what our students say about our courses:
Case study: Murray
After having initially speaking with a ‘traditional’ trainer, Jonny and his family decided that dominance training didn’t sit right with them, particularly as they had a young child who was beginning to copy the way adults treated their dog, Murray, a male 6 month old, lurcher, in Hertfordshire. They wanted to create the best and happiest environment for both their son and Murray, while addressing challenges they faced related to Murray’s biting. Jonny found Hanne’s details online and got in contact. The following is reported from the client, Jonny.
“I appreciated Hanne’s evidence-based advice both in regards to this challenge and in everything we’ve spoken and worked on since. Her approach was very simple in practice and enjoyable – and Murray made huge progress in a short period of time. Hanne has always been easy to contact by email or phone between Puppy & Dog School classes and 1-1 training sessions, which has enabled us to make changes quickly (and saved us a lot of stress!).
We would recommend Hanne to any new or current dog owners. We wish we’d started working with Hanne as soon as we got our puppy!”
Jonny Greenburg
In-person Group Classes
£170.00 (non-refundable)
Classes are 1 hour long and a course, typically, runs for 6 weeks.
£28.50 (non-refundable) for the Puppy Taster class, runs for 1 hour, ad hoc throughout the year.
Mondays
Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, Tring HP23 5BA
Stage 1 Puppies: starts at 7pm
Stage 2 Teens: starts at 8:15pm
Stage 3 Improvers: starts at 8:15pm
Fridays
Hastoe Village Hall, Church Lane, Hastoe HP23 6LU
Stage 1 Puppies: starts at 9:45am
Stage 2 Teens: starts at 11am
Online classes
See my online Learning Hub for more.
Interested in our classes?
Want to be Best In Class? Sign up to our one to one training sessions to get a head start on your group classes.
Please read our Terms & Conditions.
Get Hanne's book, clothing and more
Hanne has a number of publications including her book Playing With Your Dog to help owners work out the games that are best suited for their pet to play throughout his life, from puppyhood to old age, available from Amazon. Check out Hanne's range of contemporary casuals The Collection – for pet lovers made from recyclable, organic materials that are sustainably sourced.
“
“
“
About Hanne
News
Awards
Memberships
