Puppies & Manners

Puppy Classes

Our Puppy classes are based on Dr. Jennifer Messer’s, DVM, “The Kinderpuppy Course”. We have also included AKC’s S.T.A.R. Puppy program. Evaluations will be given during the last class of Kinderpuppy II. All breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds, are welcome to participate in all of our classes. 

Kinderpuppy I Monday evenings, 6:30pm-7:15pm 

This eight-week class is for puppies between 8 and 18 weeks old (16 weeks old or younger on the first day of class). In this class your puppy has the opportunity to socialize with other puppies and people. You will learn how to handle typical puppy training issues including: 

Name recognition

Impulse control

The basic 5: sit, down, come, leave it, stay

Sound desensitization/spook proofing

Resource guarding

Bite inhibition

Housebreaking/Crate training

Calming techniques

Walking on a leash

Greeting people

Attention work

Leave it, take it, give it

Jumping inhibition

... and more!

Kinderpuppy II Monday evenings, 7:45pm-8:30pm

This eight-week class is for puppies who have completed Kinderpuppy I. In this class your puppy will continue to have the opportunity to socialize with other puppies and people. You will learn how to put your dog training skills from Kinderpuppy I to practical use. This class includes: 

Socialization with other pups and people

Controlling jumping and play biting

Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, and Come without luring

Leave it/Take it/Give it

Distraction and proofing exercises

Integrating obedience with life rewards

Walking politely on a leash

Sending to a “place” (mat, bed, crate, etc.)

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation

… and more!

Beginning Manners Monday evenings, 6:30pm-7:15pm

This eight-week class is for dogs that are too old for puppy classes (roughly five to six months and older) with minimal or no prior training experience.  This class will include: 

Socialization with other dogs and people

Walking politely on a leash

Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, and Come

Leave it/Take it/Give it

Attention Work

Eliminating jumping on people

Self-control

Calming techniques

Targeting

Teaching tricks

Obedience games

... and more!

Junior Manners Monday evenings, 7:45pm-8:30pm

This eight-week class is for dogs who have completed a Puppy or Beginning Manners Class and is based on building a better relationship with your dog.  This class will include: 

Distraction and proofing exercises

Walking politely on a leash

Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, and Come without luring

Self-control

Calming techniques

Eliminating jumping on people

Targeting

Attention work with distractions

Obedience games

... and more

Advanced Manners Monday evenings, 7:45pm-8:30pm

This class will be geared towards a successful completion on the CGC test that will be given on    week 8 of the session. 

Click here for more information on this title.

Class Cost

$125 for one 8-week session, $210 for a punch card covering 2 consecutive 8-week class sessions ($40 savings). These cards must be used in two consecutive obedience sessions (for example summer and fall, or winter and spring) and only by the person who purchased it.