Puppy Training Classes

When should I start my puppy in classes?

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. They should have received at least their first round of vaccinations, 7 days prior to class. To learn more about these policies, check out the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists guidelines on Puppy Socialization

What will my puppy learn in class?

A lot of puppy class focuses on socialization. This can include meeting other puppies and people, but also means exploring new objects, textures, and sounds. We also focus a lot on things like handling for nail trims and vet visits- things that can become problems later in life if we're not careful!

Puppy classes will also cover skills like Sit, Down, Place, Leave It, Drop It, Leash Walking, Recalls, Stay, and Wait.

Do I need to take the Intro to Puppy class first?

Nope! The Intro class is for folks who are checking things out and not quite sure which puppy class they're interested in yet. You can absolutely sign up for Kindergarten or First Grade without the Intro!

Which class is right for my puppy?

Puppies 8-14 weeks should sign up for Kindergarten, and older puppies (around 4-5 months) should go into First Grade. Puppies 6 months or older can go into Basic Manners class for adults! Puppy agility is for puppies who have already been through at least one full class (with us or elsewhere) and can reliably sit, down, stay, etc.

*Note: we may make exceptions based on the sizes or temperament of puppies. A small or shy puppy may go into Kindergarten even if they're a bit older, and a large, boisterous puppy may do better in First Grade even at 14 weeks.

Do you use prong collars, shock collars, or choke collars?

No. We don't find that they're useful, and they can negatively impact our training plans. But if you've been using one, don't panic- you're not alone, and we're still happy to help you find solutions that work.

Do the puppies get to play with each other in class?

The only class that includes puppy play is Kindergarten, because these puppies are in their Critical Socialization Period.

How do you make classes safe for puppies?

We're careful to ensure that our already-strong cleaning protocols are especially solid for puppies with their vulnerable immune systems. Our puppy classes 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.

Can I do private training for my puppy, too?

Absolutely! Puppy classes are a great way to work on basic skills around lots of fun distractions. But if you need help with counter surfing, walking on leash in your neighborhood, mouthing/biting, crate training, or other normal puppy training needs, set up a private training!