Puppy & Family Dog classes

Puppy Classes

Puppy Kindergarten

$125 for 5 week training pass – uses open registration format

Class Requirements:

  • Puppy age 8-14 weeks on the first day of class.  Puppy can remain in class until 15 weeks of age.
  • Attendance at Behavior and Training 101 seminar.
  • First vaccination for DHPP (Distemper & Parvo) at least 10 days prior to start date.  Vaccination must be administered by a veterinarian or puppy must have a well-puppy exam by a veterinarian prior to start date.

Puppy Kindergarten is the most important class your dog will ever attend!  Click here to see what the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has to say about young puppy socialization classes.  This class is focused on the two most vital aspects of puppy development – socialization and dog-to-dog interaction.  Our Puppy series are unique because we provide structured playtime, so puppies can learn social cues from each other, while also socializing to new sights, sounds, people, and puppies in a fun and positive way.  See our class calendar for the socialization theme covered each week.  In puppy class, we play and work hard!  In addition, we cover common puppy issues such as:

  • Chewing
  • Nipping
  • House-Soiling
  • The Foundation of Basic Training

Contact the office if a date when you want to start is not available when you click the Sign-Up button.  It’s so important to get young puppies into Puppy Kindergarten class before the optimal socialization window closes, that we’ll work to get your puppy in class as soon as possible.  This class uses the Perfect Puppy in 7 Days book, available from your local or web-based bookseller.

Puppy Elementary

$125 for 5 week training pass – uses open registration format

Class requirements:

  • Puppy must be a graduate of our Puppy Kindergarten classes
  • Puppies transfer from Puppy Kindergarten to Puppy Elementary at 15 weeks of age.
  • Puppy can remain in class until 6 months of age.
  • Attendance at Behavior and Training 101 seminar.
  • Vaccinations for DHPP (Distemper & Parvo) & Rabies

We proudly offer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Award system in Puppy Elementary!  In this class, puppies not only continue their socialization to new dogs and people, but begin the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy curriculum as well.  They learn to be comfortable with handling and grooming and with brief separation from their owners.  We also introduce more advanced training such as Walking on a Leash, Sit and Down, and Come When Called.  At the end of 5 classes, all puppies have the opportunity to earn the S.T.A.R. Puppy Award provided by the American Kennel Club (AKC).  Click here for more information on the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification.  This class uses the Perfect Puppy in 7 Days book, which is available from your local or web-based bookseller.

Students are automatically enrolled in this class once graduating from Puppy Kindergarten.  Contact the office if you have questions about enrollment in this class.

Family Dog Classes

Foundation Manners

$125 for 5 week training pass – uses open registration format

Class requirements:

It’s important for every dog to know basic obedience and life skills, and in Foundation Manners we teach both!  Whether your dog is just a beginner or already has some training, this class can help with those rowdy teenage behaviors or give your dog confidence to handle the world.  Your dog will learn training skills including:

  • Attention and Focus
  • Advanced Handling skills
  • Leave It
  • Come When Called
  • Stay

Dogs will also learn Life Skills such as Sitting Politely to greet people, Going to a Mat for impulse control, and walking past distractions nicely on leash.  See our class calendar for a list of skills taught each week.  This class uses the Clicking With Your Dog book, available from your local or web-based bookseller.

Contact the office if a date when you want to start is not available when you click the Sign-Up button.  New openings occur in class each week as students graduate.  We are happy to add you to a waiting list and get you started as quickly as possible.

Returning to class after a break

Students who have taken the Behavior and Training 101 seminar within the last 2 years are not required to attend the seminar again, and can sign up for any of the classes listed above.  (Students are also welcome to take the seminar as a refresher.)  Students are required to attend again, if they’ve attended a Behavior and Training 101 seminar more than 2 years ago.  Seminar fees are waived for students repeating the seminar after 2 years or more, or taking it as a refresher course.  Sign up for a seminar date and  then contact our office so we can waive your seminar fee.