Puppy School in Preston
Give your puppy a positive start with our four-week indoor Puppy Preschool program at 220 High Street, Preston. Designed for puppies aged 8–15 weeks, classes focus on confidence, socialisation, everyday manners and practical skills for puppy parents.
Bonus Puppy Starter Guide: Sent before classes begin, so you can get started immediately.
Weekly training notes, tips, and homework: Delivered straight to your inbox after every class.
Build a calm, confident, well-mannered puppy: Using positive, reward-based training.
Lifetime access to our exclusive Puppy Community Facebook group: After graduation for ongoing support, advice, and social walks.
Puppy School Details
Ages: 8–15 weeks at the first class
Duration: Four weekly classes
Time: Saturdays, 2pm
Location: 220 High Street, Preston VIC 3072
Class size: Maximum seven puppies
Price: $300
Training approach: Positive, reward-based training
Included: Starter guide, weekly notes, homework and community access
Frequently Asked Questions
What vaccinations are required?
Your puppy must have had at least their first round of vaccinations. Please check with your vet to ensure they’re ready to attend puppy school.
What age does my puppy need to be?
Our classes are for puppies aged 8 to 15 weeks at the time of their first class. This is a vital stage for socialisation and learning.
What if I miss a class?
We understand life happens! We’ll provide catch-up notes and may be able to offer a make-up session depending on availability.
What should I bring to class?
Bring your puppy on a flat collar or harness and lead (no retractable leads), some high-value treats, a toy they love, and a mat or towel for them to settle on.
How many puppies are in each class?
We keep our classes small, with a maximum of seven puppies, so each puppy receives individual support without feeling overwhelmed.
Do you offer help with specific behaviour issues?
Yes! The benefit of small groups allows more 1:1 time tailored to your needs. You’ll also have the option to book a discounted private session with Grace for anything your dog is struggling with.
Where are classes held?
Classes are held indoors at 220 High Street, Preston VIC 3072. The venue is accessible by public transport, with plenty of street parking available.
What Puppy Parents Say
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— Sara
We attended puppy classes with our Golden Retriever Teddy along with my two young daughters.
Grace was so knowledgeable and runs really informative interesting classes.
I loved the small group atmosphere and meeting other puppies too.
Thanks for an amazing experience Grace.
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— Rachel Irons
Highly recommend Grace for puppy training. Grace worked with us with 2 pups, taught them new skills quickly with a calm and lovely manner. We really enjoyed working with Grace and so happy with the results walking our well behaved dogs!
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— Caity Luke
Grace was just so lovely!! I'm so glad I came here with my puppy Ollie :)
What Does Puppy School Look Like?
Week 1: Build the Foundations for a Well-Behaved Puppy
Force-Free Training
Build a relationship based on trust instead of fear, so your puppy wants to listen to you and enjoys learning. This creates a confident dog you'll love living with for years to come.
Socialisation
Give your puppy the best start in life by helping them feel safe and confident around new people, dogs, places, and experiences—reducing the risk of fear and reactivity as they grow.
Toilet Training
Say goodbye to constant accidents and confusion. You'll learn how to toilet train your puppy using simple routines that make life easier for both of you.
Biting & Chewing
Understand puppy biting and learn practical ways to reduce mouthing, protect your belongings and redirect your puppy onto appropriate outlets.
Focus Training ("Yes!" & "Look")
Learn how to get your puppy's attention, even when distractions are around, making everyday training quicker, easier, and far less frustrating.
Week 2: Create a Calm, Confident Puppy
Understanding Puppy Body Language
Learn to recognise important body-language signals so you can better understand when your puppy is comfortable, worried or overwhelmed.
Enrichment
Keep your puppy mentally stimulated so they're less likely to dig, bark, chew, or create their own entertainment around the house.
Relax on a Mat
Imagine being able to enjoy dinner, answer the door, or have visitors over while your puppy calmly relaxes on their bed instead of demanding attention.
Touch
Build focus and engagement while teaching a skill that makes recalls, loose lead walking, and everyday handling much easier.
Down
Teach your puppy how to switch off and settle, helping them stay calm in exciting situations rather than becoming over-aroused.
Week 3: Teach Everyday Manners You'll Use for Life
No More Jumping Up
Enjoy polite greetings instead of muddy paws on your clothes or your puppy jumping all over visitors and children.
Handling
Make grooming, nail trims, brushing, and vet visits much less stressful by teaching your puppy to feel comfortable being handled from an early age.
Prevent Resource Guarding
Build trust around food, toys, and chews now so your puppy grows into a dog that feels relaxed sharing their space with people.
Leave It
Feel confident knowing your puppy can ignore dangerous or unwanted items like dropped food, rubbish, or things they find on walks.
Wait & Free
Teach patience around doors, meals, and exciting situations to make daily life calmer and safer.
Come When Called
One of the most important skills your puppy will ever learn—giving you peace of mind knowing they'll come back when you call.
Week 4: Set Your Puppy Up for Long-Term Success
Understanding Adolescence
Learn what changes to expect as your puppy enters their "teenage" months so you can avoid common setbacks and stay on track.
Loose-Leash Walking
Turn stressful walks into enjoyable adventures by teaching your puppy to walk beside you without pulling.
Stay
Whether you're opening the front door, chatting with a neighbour, your puppy will learn patience and self-control.
What is Positive Reinforcement Training?
We reward your puppy for getting it right, instead of punishing them for getting it wrong. It builds confidence, trust and real connection.
Your pup learns to listen because they want to, not because they're scared.
When your dog sits, comes when called, or makes a good choice we celebrate! With treats, praise, play, or affection.
With practice, they learn what makes you happy and get excited to do it again.
Why We Don’t Use Fear or Force
At Graceful Little Paws, we never use yelling, punishment, or intimidation.
Those methods might stop a behaviour in the moment, but they can damage your relationship with your puppy over time.
It breaks trust, creates anxiety, and doesn't teach your dog what to do instead.
You didn't get a puppy to control through fear. You got a puppy to be your loyal friend—and that's exactly what we'll help you achieve.
Meet Your Trainer
Hi, I'm Grace — founder of Graceful Little Paws and certified trainer through internationally renowned positive reinforcement dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.
More than seven years of professional dog-training experience using force-free, science-backed techniques that actually get results.
What makes me especially proud? The trust I've earned from renowned veterinarians who regularly recommend my services to their clients. But more importantly I help puppy parents understand their puppy, communicate clearly and build practical skills through positive training.
I believe training should be fun for you and your dog. That's why I focus on positive reinforcement, building a trust-based connection to achieve practical results you can see.
If you're ready to build a calmer, happier relationship with your pup I'd love to help guide you there.