Dogs Trust Dog School Manchester is ‘suppawting’ owners of lockdown puppies

With the demand for puppies soaring during the coronavirus pandemic and many people bringing a new four-legged friend into their homes during or just before lockdown, Dogs Trust Dog School Manchester is offering some top tips for new puppy owners to help their young dogs adjust to new experiences.

Despite Dogs Trust Dog School face-to-face training classes pausing for five months during the pandemic, the demand for classes from new puppy owners was unprecedented - with over 5,000 enquiries about training classes during lockdown (March 15-August 15).

Since August 17, classes have started to re-open, where safe to do so, and the team already have over 1,400 new dogs booked onto classes and had over 450 enquiries per week.

Whilst many people have enjoyed the quality time with their four-legged friends, a return to ‘normal’ life when that comes, may be a difficult transition for new puppies as children return to school and some owners go back to work.

Which is why Dogs Trust Dog School Manchester has released some quick and handy tips to help puppies cope with life after lockdown - from being left alone, to meeting people in facemasks and settling when their owner is working from home.

Dog owners can access training videos, owner handbooks and more by visiting the dedicated page on the Dogs Trust website.

Dogs Trust Dog School has recently resumed classes for some of its Dog Schools, with smaller classes and other safety measures in place.

To see if your local Dog School has reopened visit: www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-school

For schools that can’t reopen just yet, online one-to-one sessions or full online training courses are available.

With Dogs Trust predicting more dogs at risk of abandonment due to behavioural issues that have developed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Dogs Trust’s Dog School has never been so vital in helping to support owners with their dogs’ training.

This year, Dog School is being supported by funding raised by generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Emma Armitage, Head Coach at Dogs Trust Dog School Manchester, said: “Dogs will have got used to having their favourite humans by their side day in day out during lockdown.

"Whilst many puppies will have been happy to have their human family at home during the past few months, they may need help adjusting to life when their families go back to work and school.

"They may also need help getting used to car travel and support with feeling comfortable seeing people in facemasks. 

“Keep in mind that whilst we’re easily able to slot back in to old routines, young puppies may find this a confusing time and a more difficult transition, which is why we have lots of top tips to help them find their paws in the ‘new normal’.

“The most common reason dogs are handed into Dogs Trust is due to behaviour-related issues, so we would urge owners of puppies bought during lockdown to act now to prevent these developing.

"We would like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their continued support, which allows us to give dog owners the  information they need to understand their pooch and prevent common behavioural issues from arising.”

For more information and to see if your local Dog School has reopened visit: www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-school

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