PUPPY CLASS offers positive socialization experiences, solutions to common puppy nuisance behaviors (for example, housebreaking, chewing, nipping, jumping), and foundation obedience training. Puppies attending six classes will be able to earn their AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification, complete with a medal and an AKC diploma!
Classes are set up with Rolling Enrollment, meaning you can and should start classes immediately, as long as your puppy has had the approprate vaccinations for his age. These classes are held both on Saturdays at 10:00 am and again on Mondays at 6:00 pm. You may elect to attend just once a week, for $180. However, we highly recommend the option of being able to come twice a week, for $250.
So enroll immediately, as long as your puppy is on track and up to date with age-appropriate shots!
Each puppy class includes an off-leash play period, giving your puppy opportunities to learn how to interact safely and appropriately with puppies of all sizes and breeds. The classes give your puppy opportunities to discover that the world is filled with a wide variety of puppies, people, places, and things that they can approach without fear or shyness. We are heeding decades of behavioral studies, which definitively show that this is not the time to teach dogs to obey your commands! So our puppy classes provide the foundation for doing so, but it’s much more about you and your puppy learning to develop a mutually fulfilling relationship as you teach him not only how to learn, but to love learning from you!
During the ten-minute play period, Deborah will monitor the puppies, pointing out what constitutes appropriate puppy play behavior and teaching you how to interrupt inappropriate play. Owners also interact with each puppy, to help with their social skills. Generally this means helping every puppy find out that humans only respond if he offers a polite sit for attention. This way, puppies will learn that ALL humans–not just their owners–will ignore jumping up for attention but will reward a polite sit. Each class includes a “calm down” period, wherein the puppies are taught to “relax in restraint” while their owners discuss the topic that is covered that session, as well as “puppy issues” any owners are having!
“We LOVED your class and can’t wait until the next one. I’m so glad you were recommended!”–Nellie B.
Long ago, it was thought that puppies shouldn’t leave home before they had received all their shots. Occasionally a veterinarian will recommend this debunked view, but luckily most vets adhere to the well-accepted view that to be effective, the socialization process has to occur before the puppy is about 14 weeks old…which means before the final series of vaccinations is completed. For more information on both the socialization stages of puppies and this current view on puppy classes, CLICK on the following links:
- Vets now urge immediate puppy socialization, in a well-run Puppy Manners class: Article explaining why veterinarians now recommend starting puppies in a well-run puppy class even before they have completed their vaccinations, as long as all the puppies in the class are up-to-date on age-appropriate ones.
- Socialization Article; Detailed discussion of what “socialization” encompasses and why it needs to be done before a puppy is 14 weeks old
Click here for a Listing of Puppy Class Topics
IF YOUR PUPPY IS BETWEEN 2 AND 5 MONTHS OLD at the start of class, you would start with the Puppy Class.
PUPPIES over 5 months old (unless a very small breed) would start with the “Intro to Force-Free Obedience” class
TO ENROLL YOUR PUPPY, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Use the Contact Us page to let us know that you are interested in taking our “Puppy Class” or the “Intro to Force-Free Obedience” class. We’ll help you decide, if you’re not sure which one best suits your puppy’s age and size.
After you write us, you will receive an immediate reply, with further information on the classes and puppy training in general. If you decide which class is for you, you will write back with your request, making sure to designate which day/time you prefer…and we’ll save you a spot!
