Training for Puppies in Austin, TX
If you've got a puppy under 6 months, you've come to the right place! You have SO MANY GREAT OPTIONS!
Our team of certified positive reinforcement trainers can help your puppy grow into a wonderful member of your family.
Whether you choose to work with us through group puppy training and socialization classes, our day training program for puppies, or private coaching, o ur team can help you with things like:
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Socialization
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Building important skills like walking on leash and coping with distractions
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Limiting unwanted behaviors like biting/mouthing
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Potty training
Puppy Training and Socialization Options
For puppies 8-14 weeks old, start with Kindergarten! For puppies 4-5 months old, check out First Grade! And for any puppies, check out Puppy Agility! All classes are on a "rolling" basis so you can start ASAP. Classes are held at two locations, north Austin and south Austin.
Private training is an excellent way to get your puppy started on the right path! Check out our Puppy Package, which includes a private training session with you and three "tutoring" sessions to work directly with your puppy. This is a great starting point for new puppy training!
Need some extra help, but struggling to find the time? Sign your puppy up for a half-day of training, socialization, and enrichment. They'll learn from our team of certified trainers in a safe environment, at our Community Center. This is great paired with other training options!
What are the benefits of puppy training?
Getting started with socialization and training with your puppy EARLY has some key benefits. First, this gives you the chance to solve problems before they start. It's much easier to prevent naughty behaviors in the first place than it is to fix them later! This applies to everything from puppy mouthing/biting to coming when called to chewing on things they're not supposed to chew on.
Puppy training is also important because puppies are learning rapidly. We can train adult and senior dogs, but puppies are able to learn a ton in a short timeframe, setting them up for success later in life.
Early puppy training also means you get to know our team of certified dog trainers so you can reach out for help if you start noticing any issues. You'll be much better able to tackle future challenges like your pup's "teenage" phase if you already have some training knowledge!
When should I start my puppy in training?
As soon as possible, around 8 weeks if able! Puppies go through a critical socialization period until about 12 weeks, so it's essential to get them into safe, appropriate socialization opportunities asap. Puppies do NOT need to be fully vaccinated to attend classes or begin private training. If your puppy is partially vaccinated, we will stick to training in-home or in locations where we can keep your puppy safe from disease. To learn more about these policies, check out the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists guidelines on Puppy Socialization.
What vaccines are required for puppies?
All dogs/puppies in group classes are required to have distemper/parvo vaccinations (typically DHPP or DLPP), bordetella vaccinations, and rabies vaccinations (once they're old enough).
Puppies joining classes before they're fully vaccinated must continue with their vet-recommended schedule of boosters, and will be required to provide proof of boosters in order to be considered up-to-date.
How do you keep puppies safe if they're not fully vaccinated?
We're careful to ensure that our already-strong cleaning protocols are especially solid for puppies with their vulnerable immune systems. Our Community Center trainings are scheduled to allow for cleaning beforehand, and we require up-to-date vaccinations for adult dogs attending classes to limit the risk of disease transmission in our space.
We can also choose to train in safe spaces like your home, or to go out in public in safe ways: avoiding areas with other dogs or using blankets or carts so your puppy is protected from disease.
Why train with Every Dog?
Our trainers use positive reinforcement methods and are dedicated to using the most modern, effective, and ethical training methods to help you and your dog. Our trainers are certified and do continuing education with conferences, workshops, and mentorships to make sure they stay on top of their game.
Do you use prong collars, shock collars, e-collars, or choke collars?
No. We don't find that they're useful, and they can negatively impact our training plans. We use modern behavior science to help puppies learn what we want from them, and will not use any training technique designed to cause fear or discomfort.
What's the difference between puppy private training & group puppy classes?
There are a few key differences between puppy private training and group puppy classes that you should consider when deciding which is the best fit for your furry friend.
What are group puppy training classes?
These classes are held in a group setting, with several puppies and their owners attending together. The focus is on basic obedience and manners training, socialization, and addressing common behavior issues (like puppy biting and jumping) in a group environment.
Let’s look at puppy private training.
Puppy private training is more individualized, with a professional trainer working one-on-one with you and your puppy. This allows for a more personalized approach that can address specific behavioral concerns or goals that you have for your puppy.
Let’s keep in mind that the setting of the training can greatly impact your puppy's learning experience. Private training is typically one-on-one with just your pup and the trainer, whereas
group classes involve multiple puppies and their owners in a group setting. Private lessons can be beneficial for puppies who may become easily distracted in a group setting, or who have specific goals to work on beyond the basics. But group classes can be a perfect fit for socialization with other puppies and people!
Another difference is the level of attention and guidance given to each individual puppy. In a group class, the trainer will work with multiple puppies at once, while in private training, all focus and attention are on your puppy. This can be beneficial for puppies who may need more individualized attention or have specific goals that require a more focused approach. Group classes may also be helpful as you see how the different puppies (and people) learn each skill, giving you more ideas on troubleshooting.
The structure and content of the classes also differ. Group classes typically follow a set curriculum, with the training set for a general group of puppies. Private training, on the other hand, can be tailored to your specific needs and goals for your puppy. The trainer will work with you to create a personalized training plan that addresses your puppy's unique needs.
This means that in private training, your puppy will have the full attention of the trainer and can progress at their own pace without any distractions from other dogs. On the other hand,\ group classes allow for socialization with other puppies and owners, which can be beneficial for their development and behavior around others.
Cost is also a factor to consider when choosing between private training and group classes. Private training tends to cost more due to the personalized approach and individual attention from the trainer. Group classes, on the other hand, are more budget-friendly because you’re in a group setting and sharing the trainer’s time.
Both options have their own benefits, and it ultimately depends on your puppy's needs and your personal preferences. If you’d like to work on specific behaviors, like counter surfing, jumping on guests, or pestering an older dog in the home, private training may be the best option. If you're
looking for socialization opportunities and basic obedience and manners training, group classes may be the best option.
And don’t forget- you don’t have to choose one or the other! Many puppies attend group classes AND do private training lessons. This allows you to get the best of both worlds: lots of puppy socialization in classes as well as many basic skills, and then individualized attention in private training lessons.
No matter which option you choose, the most important thing is to ensure that your puppy receives proper training and guidance in their early stages of development. This will set them up for success in the long run and help create a strong bond between you and your furry companion. So, carefully consider your puppy's needs and choose the option that will best support their growth and well-being. Remember, every puppy is unique and may require different approaches to training, so don't be afraid to seek professional guidance if needed.