Why should all puppies go to school? By four months of age much of your puppy's personality has been determined. Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning. This time will set the stage for the rest of your puppy's life. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to show your puppy how to confidently relate to other puppies, unfamiliar people, and strange sights, sounds, and events. It is crucial that this developmental stage is used wisely!

You will learn to teach your dog to come when called, to follow from a distance, sit, down, stand and stay. Plus all of those normal, natural puppy behaviors such as barking, chewing, jumping up, biting or mouthing, and house breaking will be discussed. We'll also discuss preventing resource guarding problems as well as destructive chewing and getting on furniture.
Upon graduation your puppy will be well socialized and he/she will be well on their way to having established great manners for life. This class is available to all puppies 8-16 weeks of age. The class lasts for four weeks and the cost is $65.

Please bring a 6 foot leash, a flat collar or Halti/Gentle Leader, a food toy such as a stuffed kong, and a tug toy. Bring a water bowl as well. Treats of choice are soft training treats and your puppy's kibble (set aside from a meal). Cut the training treats into very small pieces as we will be using a large quantity! It's best to bring a hungry puppy to class.

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"Should I be worried if my puppy does not have all of her shots? My vet says not to sign up until my puppy is older."

In an open letter to veterinarians by Robert K. Anderson DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, he writes: "Experience and epidemiologic data support the relative safety and lack of transmission of disease in these puppy socialization classes. In fact, the risk of a dog dying because of infection with distemper or parvo disease is far less than the much higher risk of a dog dying (euthanasia) because of a behavior problem....We need to recognize that this special sensitive period for learning is the best opportunity we have to influence behavior for dogs and the most important and longest lasting part of a total wellness plan." To read and print the entire letter, click here .

Free book downloads:

"Before You Get Your Puppy " by Ian Dunbar, world renowned trainer and PhD behaviorist, is great for understanding housebreaking and socialization. We highly recommend it (even after you've gotten your puppy).

"After You Get Your Puppy " by Ian Dunbar, world renowned trainer and PhD behaviorist.