Exam stress is no longer limited to human students - newborn puppies are about to be tested at school too.

Young dogs will be enrolled in classes in Woodingdean, Brighton, and Henfield, measuring their abilities to complete tasks, get on with other dogs and human beings.

Teacher Bonnie Owers insists the school which puts the "pup" into "pupils" will be welcomed by dog-owners desperate to raise intelligent, well-behaved pets.

And those puppies who graduate will be rewarded with certificates of their qualifications - as well as more tasty, edible doggy treats.

Bonnie, 22, of Balsdean Road, Woodingdean, is one of 30 teachers nationwide to have won accreditation from the newly-formed Puppy School academy.

She has recently completed a degree in animal behaviour, ecology and conservation and has been preparing most of her life for working with man's best friend.

Her family has always owned dogs and she met her boyfriend, Neil Marshall, through their shared love of the animals - he owns 12 huskies and first offered to help her on an Arctic trek.

Bonnie said they were all well behaved but she expected some of her new pupils to prove more of a handful.

She said: "Occasionally you're likely to get one puppy who's a bit of a bully and that can inhibit the others.

"Socialisation is so important for puppies as they learn to respond to the world around them.

"The age of between eight and 12 weeks is a critical period. If you leave it any longer before training them, they are likely to grow up very wary."

She advises owners never to show anything other than a happy, smiling, even complacent mood to their pets - even if a situation is fraught with peril.

Classroom sessions are dependent on offering star pupils edible treats as an incentive for following instructions such as coming back when called, walking on a loose lead, sitting and standing, and greeting people properly.

She also invites along other owners, including children aged four and upwards, to interact with all the pets, before ending with free-for-all playtimes, with the puppies split into groups of three.

Bonnie said: "Puppy play is extremely important but I do keep an eye on them - I don't want to see them learning any bad behaviour habits."

She will also hire herself out to "babysit" and care for all pets, for example when owners are going on holiday.

For more details, call Bonnie on 01273 390559 or 07866 568663, or log on to www.puppyschool.co.uk