A GROUP of puppies received metaphorical cap and gowns as they graduated with a first class honours in being law-abiding pets.

Sybil the Boxer, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Labrador cross Luna, Dalmations Bertie and Betsie, and Piper the Border Collie have spent the last six weeks with their owners at Lead with Lauren Puppy School.

Lauren Watts’s school, based in Eight Ash Green, put puppies through their paces in obedience and socialising while teaching owners about the best nutrition.

More than 20 other groups did the same across the country as part of Puppy Awareness Week, which ends on September 10.

To mark this, raw pet food brand and sponsors Natures Menu, rewarded the Colchester pups with nutritious treats and gave advice to parents on the benefits of raw feeding.

Piper’s owners, Aimee and Darren Swithenbank, said: “It’s been really fun and Piper has enjoyed meeting the other puppies.”