PUPPY MANNERS class offers positive socialization experiences, solutions to common puppy nuisance behaviors (for example, housebreaking, chewing, nipping, jumping), and foundation obedience training. (Six classes for $170) We strongly suggest you start with our Puppy Manners class, which is for puppies between 8 and 16 weeks at the start of class. 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! STAR Puppy requirements
After Puppy Manners class, puppies will be able to go on and attend Puppy Kindergarten, which is for puppies between 4 and 6 months old, roughly. Very young and/or small puppies can opt to take a second six-week puppy class, So if your puppy is already too old to start with Puppy Manners, he would start with the Puppy Kindergarten class. Kindergarten class develops and refines the behaviors introduced in Puppy Manners class, as well as introducing several new skills. This class, too, will enable a puppy to become certified as an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy!
Puppy Manners and Puppy Kindergarten classes include 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 have definitively shown 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 play period, Deborah will monitor the puppies, pointing out what constitutes appropriate puppy play behavior and how to interrupt inappropriate play. Owners also interact with each puppy, to help with their social skills. Generally this means noticing if a someone’s pup comes up and 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 learn the lesson that is covered that session (See listing of lessons on the Puppy Manners Calendar).
“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
IF YOUR PUPPY IS BETWEEN 8 AND 16 WEEKS OLD at the start of class, you would start with the Puppy Manners & Social Skills class. Very small breed puppies older than 20 weeks may also consider this class. Click here for a Listing of Puppy Manners Topics
IF YOUR PUPPY IS BETWEEN 4 AND 6 MONTHS OLD at the start of class, you would start with the Puppy Kindergarten class Click here for a Listing of Puppy Kindergarten Topics
PUPPIES over 6 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 Manners” 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!
