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Why every RVN benefits from behaviour-led Puppy Socials training: Vet nurse CPD that transforms puppy visits

Early puppy experiences shape a dog’s entire future - and no one is better placed to influence those experiences than the veterinary team. As an RVN, you’re already at the heart of patient care, client education, and welfare advocacy. But what if you could also transform every puppy visit into a behaviour-friendly, confidence-boosting experience that sets dogs up for life?

French bulldog puppy in arms of vet nurse

That's exactly what our Puppy Socials: Puppy Parties Reinvented course is designed to do.

Created specifically for veterinary nurses and the wider vet team, this practical vet nurse CPD experience blends behavioural science with real-world clinic application. Whether your practice already runs puppy sessions or you’re considering launching them, this course gives you the skills, structure, and resources to make it happen - calmly, safely, and profitably.

Why RVNs are the key to better early puppy experiences

Most puppies will meet an RVN before they meet the vet - during weigh-ins, vaccinations, parasite chats, clinics, or nurse-led appointments. These moments can build trust… or create worry.
  • labrador puppy laying on a vets table having a vaccination

Our Puppy Socials CPD program gives RVNs the tools to:

  • encourage calmness and confidence at every visit

  • understand and respond to subtle puppy body language

  • prevent overwhelm during greetings, play and clinic handling

  • coach owners on best practice from day one

  • reduce fear and anxiety that can escalate into long-term behaviour issues

This is behaviour-led veterinary nursing, rooted in science and designed to enhance welfare while strengthening the bond between your practice and your clients.

What makes this CPD so unique?

The Puppy Socials course is more than just a “how to run puppy parties” guide. It’s a complete blueprint created by Clinical Animal Behaviourists, Registered Veterinary Nurses and ABTC-registered trainers - giving you training that’s practical, ethical, and evidence-based.

Inside the course, you’ll get:

  • 5 hours of CPD (plus bonus content)

  • 50 behaviour handouts, including editable client handouts

  • 10 ready-to-use templates, forms and checklists

  • Science-led behavioural insights

  • Business guidance covering risk assessments, staffing, event planning and profit/loss

  • Lifetime access for ongoing development

  • Email support from a Puppy School behaviour expert

  • RVN CPD certificate and pin badge

All for £249, with instant, flexible online study at your own pace.

Your practice time is limited. This CPD helps you make the most of every minute you have with puppies.

Transforming Puppy Socials: why 'puppy parties' needed reinventing

  • Puppy play

Traditional puppy parties often rely heavily on unstructured play. While well-intentioned, this approach can quickly lead to:

  • overwhelmed puppies

  • poor first experiences

  • reinforcement of anxious or over-boisterous behaviours

  • difficult owner management in the room

  • risk of negative interactions

Our course completely rethinks this model.

Instead of chaotic play sessions, you’ll learn how to create safe, controlled, welfare-first Puppy Socials that:

  • support shy or anxious puppies

  • build confidence gradually

  • encourage appropriate greetings

  • reduce noise and barking

  • nurture calm behaviour

  • promote positive veterinary experiences

This shift benefits everyone: puppies, owners, RVNs… and your practice as a whole.

Not ready for the full course yet? Try a mini CPD module

We understand that some practices need to invest in CPD gradually - whether due to time, budget or team capacity. That’s why every part of the Puppy Socials course is also available as a stand-alone mini CPD course in our Puppy Friendly Practice Series.

These bite-size modules allow RVNs to learn one topic at a time, including:

  • Are puppy clinics right for your practice?
    Are puppy clinics right for your practice?
  • Preparing your practice for puppy clinics
    Preparing your practice for puppy clinics
  • How to run fun and effective puppy clinics
    How to run fun and effective puppy clinics
  • Making every hello positive for puppies
    Making every hello positive for puppies
  • Puppy play in clinic (best practice for socialisation)
    Puppy play in clinic (best practice for socialisation)
  • The science of puppy socialisation
    The science of puppy socialisation
  • Supporting shy and anxious puppies
    Supporting shy and anxious puppies
  • Why puppies bark and noise-reduction strategies
    Why puppies bark and noise-reduction strategies
  • Referring to trainers and behaviourists
    Referring to trainers and behaviourists

Each mini course delivers immediate, practical learning that improves puppy handling, owner communication and welfare outcomes.

Browse the Puppy Friendly Practice series

Free digital downloads for your vet team

  • Puppy School Thinkific screenshot

Even if you’re just beginning your journey into behaviour-friendly puppy care, we offer a series of free digital resources to help RVNs educate clients and support calmer puppy visits.

These include:

  • Puppy Play 101 – toys, games and training tips

  • Puppy Talk 101 (Parts 1 & 2) – understanding essential puppy body language

  • Perfect Puppy Weigh-Ins – making scale time calm and confident

  • The Perfect Puppy (40% off) – a bestselling client education book

Free downloads are an excellent way to introduce behaviour-focused care into your practice… and to get a feel for our teaching style before committing to paid CPD.

Access your free puppy resources

How this CPD strengthens your practice

Completing this veterinary cpd course doesn’t just improve your confidence with puppies - it supports your practice on every level.

  • Collie Dog with Vet and Stethoscope

This is CPD that genuinely changes the way veterinary professionals deliver care.

Ready to Elevate Puppy Care in Your Practice?

Whether you jump straight into our Puppy Socials course, explore a focused mini-module, or begin with free resources, you’ll be taking meaningful steps toward a more behaviour-aware, puppy-friendly practice.

RVNs are the future of early puppy welfare in veterinary settings - and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Start your journey today

Banjo - cocker spaniel puppy school graduate showing rosette

Testimonials

What Clients say
about Puppy School

  • “Puppy School has been an all round excellent package from start to finish but the greatest asset to this training was Sally! Sally was calm, clear and responsive to us all so you feel you get the benefit from being in a group of handlers and puppies with all the benefits of that but also individual attention to support you and your puppies specific needs/issues. Banjo is a nervous puppy, Sally was very sensitive to this and managed situations so Banjo benefitted from all the training exercises and interaction in a very positive way. She also gave me lots of support in how to help him outside of class. It was also brilliant to have a booklet and online access at home to watch reminder supporting material videos of the things taught in each session. There were also a range of vouchers and free trial bags of different foods which has proven helpful in determining what works for Banjo. I have had several puppies over the years, and have been to several classes, this has been the best experience yet for both me and my puppy. Thanks especially to Sally! ”
    —   Maria
  • “Very enjoyable course with Sally being extremely calm , friendly and informative. She explained and demonstrated each task very well, it’s purpose and what practice should be done and how often. She was also very reassuring and encouraging if the puppy (or owner!) didn’t quite do things correctly.”
    —   Annie
  • “Hayley and Peter were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient with Maple. The classes were very engaging and it was an absolute joy to watch Maple learn and grow! ”
    —   Sherry
  • “Claire, is so knowledgeable, patient and very helpful. Amber and I thoroughly enjoyed the six week course. It has certainly helped Amber to understand simple commands. Even though I have owned dogs before, Claire has taught me a lot too. A big thank you Claire. ”
    —   Thomas
  • “The puppy training was fantastic! It helped us to identify our puppies needs, how he is developing and how to support his understanding. The trainer was so friendly and approachable, always taking time to chat before and after class. Our puppy has come so far in his training since the classes first started. A big thank you for all the support provided! ”
    —   Robin