Puppy Training Classes

Best Puppy Training Classes Auckland

5-Week Course

For Puppies 8 weeks – 5 months old

Our Puppy Training Classes in Auckland are specially designed for your growing puppy!

Next Course Dates:

– Wednesday 7th January @ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

– Saturday 24th January @ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

– Tuesday 10th Feburary @ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

-Saturday 28th February @ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Book Your Puppy’s Spot Today in One of Auckland’s Top-Rated Puppy Training Development Programs.

Limited Spots Available – Maximum 6 puppies per class!

Location

364 Onehunga Mall Road
Our classes are held in a purpose-built indoor centre in Onehunga, Auckland, made specifically for the best puppy learning experience.

Cost: $295(ex GST) for the full 5 week course.

Our Center provides:

– Safe, controlled environment.
– Climate-controlled comfort for year-round training.
– Ample space for structured, safe, positive exposure and socialisation opportunities.
– Easy parking and accessibility for families.

Health & Safety Standards:

– Hall disinfected and sterilised before each class.
– All attendee shoes sprayed with F10 veterinary grade disinfectant upon entry.
– Maintained to veterinary-grade hygiene standards.
– Strict safety protocols for developing immune systems.

We enrolled our pup, Poppy, in the puppy class and then the life skills program—and we couldn't be happier with the results! The instructors were knowledgeable, patient, and truly cared about helping both dogs and owners succeed. Poppy gained so much confidence and learned essential skills that have made day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable for us. The classes were well-structured, fun, and full of practical tips we still use every day. Highly recommend to any dog owner looking to build a strong foundation and lasting bond with their pup! Furthermore, we also take Poppy for grooming at See Spot Learn and have a wonderful grooming experience. Brianna was so gentle and caring with her, and she came out looking absolutely adorable. You can tell she loves what she does and treats each dog like her own. Poppy was relaxed and happy afterward, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The whole process was smooth, professional, and friendly from start to finish. Highly recommend for anyone looking for amazing grooming with a personal touch!

My partner and I cannot rave enough about Emily's puppy classes and one on one training sessions! We have participated in both with our mini Schnauzer Arnie and we saw such a change in him within just a few months. He has learned self -control, many commands and has been socialization in a safe environment. From the beginning of our training sessions it was evident that Emily possesses great expertise in understanding and connecting with dogs. She was always dedicated to Arnie's wellbeing and his stage in life. Each session was tailored to address Arnie's specific needs and temperament, ensuring that he felt comfortable and secure throughout the process. Emily's passion for dogs and genuine care for owners and pups alike set her apart as an exceptional dog trainer. Thank you so much!

I just finished puppy classes with Emily and her team and wow I wish I had done it sooner! Emily is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. The classes were small and personalised so each doggy and owner got specific advice for their stage of development or quirks. Mine was particularly yappy at the beginning and much more settled and confident by the end as am I. Looking forward to the next classes for adolescent pups. Her team were also very hands on and helped all the time, so you actually get at least three trainers for most of the sessions. They all love dogs so are kind and patient. Wouldn't recommend enough definately worth the $ and time investment. Plus there's the opportunity to meet other dog parents for your pup to play with in the future.

Brilliant behaviourist. Often refer clients to Emily and the feedback is always brilliant. The puppies coming out of her puppy classes are always really well behaved in my consults and I actively recommend people to sign their puppies up.

Emily and her team were fantastic in teaching us the best ways to train our puppy. We learned so much and saw amazing progress in just our first 5 weeks. Our puppy, who started off very timid and shy, has made remarkable strides thanks to their guidance. We look forward to continuing with Emily for gentle grooming and any additional training as needed ☺️

Emily’s classes were so much fun and a great learning environment for both myself & my puppy. The classes are small and exercises can be tailored to the needs of each puppy. I’ve done both the Puppy Classes & the Life Skills classes and can’t recommend them highly enough!

Understanding Your Puppy's Learning Journey

Our 5-week puppy training course helps you and your puppy develop important life skills, build confidence and emotional resilience, as well as prepare for life’s challenges, all through science-based, force-free methods Auckland families trust.

You’ll learn how to support your puppy through their critical developmental period and create positive associations that help them navigate our human world.

Puppy training classes go far beyond play sessions and basic ‘obedience’. We teach you how to set up your environment so your pup succeeds from the start, helping to prevent problem behaviours before they begin while building your puppy’s confidence. This approach gives you the foundational skills to navigate everyday life with your dog.

The Science Behind Early Development

Early, positive socialization experiences during the critical period significantly shape how dogs behave throughout their lives (Scott & Fuller, 1965; Serpell & Jagoe, 1995). Without early positive exposure during this window, puppies often develop fear and anxiety around new people, animals, and environments, which can contribute to reactivity as they mature.

True socialisation is far more than dogs playing together, it’s the entire process of learning about the world. This includes gradually exposing puppies to different stimuli in a controlled, gentle way, without overwhelming them or creating negative associations.

This work is most effective during the first 16 weeks of life. Puppies should never be made to feel stressed when experiencing new situations and environments, as this can have lasting consequences.

Understanding Critical Periods

The sensitive period for socialization closes around 16 weeks of age. During these early weeks, puppies’ brains are incredibly adaptable and easily form positive connections with new experiences. After this window, puppies naturally become more cautious and may show increased fear responses to unfamiliar things.

This shift often coincides with the first fear period, which typically occurs between 4-6 months (Scott & Fuller, 1965). During this time, continuing to provide positive experiences helps your pup navigate any emerging fears in a supportive way.

Our Professional Puppy Training Approach

We use evidence-based, reward-based methods that make learning enjoyable and effective for your puppy. Our five-week course is designed by an accredited dog behaviourist and structured around your puppy’s physical and emotional well-being.

The curriculum addresses basic training skills, environmental management, puppy behaviour and development, confidence-building exercises, attention and focus skills, and appropriate socialisation, while teaching you how to manage problem behaviours using kind, gentle techniques that are effective.

We carefully expose your puppy to different situations while creating positive associations with those experiences. Starting with simple exercises and gradually building complexity, this approach sets both you and your puppy up for success from day one. Our goal is to give puppy parents the knowledge and practical skills to reduce the likelihood of behavioural problems and build a strong foundation.

Why Choose See Spot Learn?

As an accredited dog behaviourist and certified force-free dog trainer, with over 21 years experience, I’ve designed our puppy course to go beyond basic training. We focus on your puppy’s emotional well-being and individual development, helping reduce the likelihood of behavioural issues before they have a chance to develop.

– Behaviourist-designed curriculum focused on emotional development (not just basic training).
– Small class sizes for individual attention.
– Tailored support for your puppy’s unique needs.
– Science-based methods from peer-reviewed research.
– Detailed step-by-step homework guide and resources for home practice.

Research Backed Approach

I understand puppy neurological development during the critical socialisation period and tailor our approach to maximize positive learning opportunities during this sensitive window. Through ongoing professional development, I ensure our methods stay current with the latest research in applied animal behaviour science.

Puppy Parents will receive expert advice about

– How to set up your home and routine to reduce unwanted behavior before it starts, setting you and your puppy up for success.
– How positive reinforcement works and why it’s the most effective way for your puppy to learn.
– What to expect during fear periods and how to support your puppy through them, especially as adolescence approaches.
– How to help your puppy feel safe during handling, grooming, and vet visits, without forcing or rushing.
– What to do about common puppy challenges like nipping, chewing, toileting indoors, and jumping up.
– Simple recall games to help your puppy learn to come back when called, even when there are distractions.
– How to read your puppy’s body language so you can understand what they’re trying to tell you.
– Safe pup-to-pup greetings and interactions – no crowding or group greetings, which helps prevent overwhelm and pressure.
– How to reduce the likelihood of behaviour problems later on, like resource guarding, reactivity on lead, and separation-related issues.

Puppies will Learn

Respond to everyday cues and hand signals like sit, down, stand, walk with you (“Close” & “Let’s Go”), fetch, and drop it.

Walk calmly on a lead without pulling.

Focus on you when you need it, even when things are exciting.

Wait patiently and build impulse control, including reducing jumping up.

Come back when called – starting the basics of reliable recall.

Work around mild distractions
Play interactive games like fetch to build connection and keep training fun.

Move their body with confidence through simple body awareness exercises.

Feel more at ease around other dogs and people.

Settle and relax when needed, using early relaxation skills.

And more, depending on your puppy’s needs and pace

All training is taught through simple, fun games. You and your puppy work together using kind, reward-based methods backed by science. Classes are small, supportive, and relaxed.

After each session, you’ll receive a clear step-by-step homework guide, training videos, and a certificate when you finish the course. Puppy Class (Level 1) runs for one hour each week over a 5-week period.

When you graduate, you can continue with our Life Skills for Growing Pups Course (Level 2) to keep building your puppy’s confidence, emotional resilience, and social skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old should my puppy be to start training classes?

Puppies can start classes as early as 8-10 weeks old, provided they’ve had their first round of vaccinations. Puppies between 8-16 weeks old are at the ideal age to begin learning during their critical socialization period.

We focus on practical day-to-day environmental management, emotional development, and preventing behavioral issues before they start – not just teaching a basic sit.

You’ll learn how to manage your environment and set your puppy up for success in real-world situations.

Can I bring my puppy to class before they're fully vaccinated?

Yes! This is one of the most common concerns we hear from puppy parents, and it’s completely understandable. There’s often conflicting advice about when it’s safe to take your puppy out.

The key is understanding that the risk of behavioural problems from lack of early socialisation often outweighs the risk of disease in a controlled environment.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour states that “it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialisation before they are fully vaccinated.”

This recommendation is supported by research: behavioural issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age. A study of veterinary records in England found that undesirable behaviours, particularly aggression, are a proportionally high risk factor for euthanasia in young dogs under three years of age (Boyd et al., 2018).

Our classes are designed with this in mind. We require all puppies to have had at least their first vaccination and be at least 2 weeks post-vaccination before attending. Our venue is disinfected and sterilised before each class, and all attendees’ shoes are sprayed with F10 veterinary disinfectant upon entry to maintain the highest hygiene standards.

We also limit class sizes and carefully screen all participants to create the safest possible environment for early socialisation. The controlled, clean environment of our classes provides the socialisation benefits your puppy needs during this critical window, while minimising health risks.

If you have concerns, I always recommend discussing your puppy’s specific situation with your veterinarian, as they know your pup’s health status and local disease risks best.

What if my puppy is shy or fearful?

Shy puppies benefit greatly from our classes! We use gentle exposure techniques and work at your puppy’s pace. Our trainers are experienced in managing the environment and building confidence in nervous puppies through positive experiences.

How do you ensure my puppy won't be overwhelmed?

We have a team of four instructors and keep our classes small with a maximum of 6 puppies, allowing us to give individual attention to each pup.

Every interaction is carefully structured and controlled to ensure positive experiences as much as possible. We continuously watch for stress signals and avoidance behaviors throughout each session, adjusting activities to keep your puppy comfortable and engaged.

Every interaction is carefully structured and controlled to make sure of positive experiences as much as possible. We continuously watch for any stress signals/ avoidance behaviours throughout each session, and adjust activities accordingly to keep your puppy comfortable and engaged.

Will my shy puppy be forced to interact?

Absolutely not! We use gradual exposure and positive reinforcement to gently build your puppy’s confidence at their own pace.

Shy puppies are encouraged to observe from a comfortable distance before participating, and we use visual barriers and strategic positioning to help them feel safe.

Building genuine confidence through positive experiences is far more valuable than forcing interactions that could create fear.

Can I bring my family to class?

Yes! Absolutely! We encourage families to learn together so everyone is on the same page. However, to maintain an effective learning environment for all puppies, we ask that you limit attendance to 2-4 family members per puppy.

What happens if my puppy has an accident during class?

Accidents are completely normal and expected! We have cleaning supplies readily available, and accidents provide teaching opportunities for house training discussions.

Do you offer makeup classes if we miss a session?

Due to the structured nature of our curriculum and limited class scheduling, we are unable to offer makeup classes for missed sessions. However, we provide detailed handouts and practice exercises for each lesson, and our trainers are available for brief consult before or after classes to help catch you up on missed material.

Can I continue training at home between classes?

Absolutely! We provide detailed step-by-step weekly homework practice sheets and recommend 3 – 5 minutes of daily practice. Consistency between classes is really important for your puppy’s progress.

Do you have experience with different breeds?

Our certified trainers have experience with all breeds and sizes. We adapt our training to suit breed-specific traits and individual puppy personalities.

Our Fun 5-Week Course Includes:

Join the best puppy training Auckland program. The full program runs for 60 minutes each week and costs $295 (ex GST) for all 5-week classes.

It covers everything you and your puppy need to start off with confidence.

Skip the “I wish I’d known that earlier” moments – set yourself and your puppy up for success from the start.

Join one of Auckland’s most trusted puppy classes and become part of the See Spot Learn community.

Puppy Training Help When You Need It

Want to keep building on what you learn in class?

Training Humans While Teaching Your Puppy gives you practical, step-by-step guidance for raising a confident, well-adjusted dog.

Written from years of hands-on experience working with hundreds of puppies and their families, this guide covers the real challenges puppy parents face at home: managing nipping and jumping, understanding what your puppy is trying to tell you, preventing common behaviour problems before they start, and building skills that last a lifetime.

The book uses the same science-based, force-free approach we teach in our puppy classes. It’s designed for everyday dog owners who want clear answers without the jargon or fluff.

Whether you’re just starting out or working through a tricky phase, this guide gives you the tools to support your puppy’s development with kindness and confidence.

Get your copy on Amazon

Really loved reading this book. It goes into detail on what to do and what not to do when bringing a puppy home for the first time. It gives you training tips as well as tips on behaviour and what to look out for and how to correct it. Overall this book is very good for first time dog owners as well as existing dog owners and would highly recommend.

An excellent reference book for any first time dog owner Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2023 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase I have found this book to be so informative and useful. We've been planning to get a dog for ages and this book has been so helpful in teaching us about dog behaviour and common pitfalls to avoid, common problem solving techniques and useful things to consider before getting a dog! Report