Classes >> Puppy Preschool

Puppy Preschool

Puppy Preschool is for puppies approximately 8 to 16 weeks in age. It is a scaled-down version of our full-length Puppy Kindergarten class for families who either don't have time or can't afford a 6-week class, or for those puppies who need a little extra socialization or training.

Puppy Preschool is all about having fun while teaching your puppy important life skills and socializing with all sorts of other puppies and people. Our main goals include:

1. Socialization with other puppies and with new people

Playtime is critical for teaching your puppy to behave properly around adult dogs, and to help prevent dog-to-dog aggression problems as your dog matures. Similarly, your puppy needs to meet hundreds of new people to be comfortable with people, to learn to behave properly, and to help prevent aggression problems. In Puppy Preschool, lots of time will be devoted to letting the puppies socialize with each other and with new people, all under the supervision of a trained instructor. The side benefit of all this play is, of course, that you have a tired puppy at least one night each week!

2. Socialization as a polite member of your family

There is very little about life in a human home that is "normal" for a canine! Your puppy needs to be potty trained and, ideally, crate trained. He must learn how to behave politely around children and guests. If a toddler falls on him, he is not allowed to bite in response, as he might to correctly discipline another, rude dog. (He can't even bite on the child for fun, as dogs do when they play together.) And dogs have to chew, but he needs to stop chewing on you and your stuff!

Your dog needs to look to you for direction as the "leader of his pack", but he shouldn't worry or get in trouble when you aren't around. Your puppy should learn to relax and calmly accept grooming or medical exams - and even some discomfort - without a struggle and without biting. He absolutely MUST learn to have a "soft mouth" to prevent problems when bites do occur. Food-Bowl guarding or possessiveness with toys are okay when you're the top dog, but not safe in a human home.

No wonder puppies get in trouble! We can help you teach your dog to be a polite member of your family.

3. Basic obedience training

Puppies are like little sponges: they soak up everything we teach them so quickly. This makes training a puppy easy if you know what to do! We will begin the basics of obedience training by teaching the puppies to sit on command and come when they're called. We'll also talk about how to prevent issues like having potty accidents in the house, chewing, nipping, barking, digging, and other common puppy problems.

4. Routine puppy care

We spend some time on the basics of routine puppy care such as potty training, nail trimming, ear care, and having the puppies be calm when you need to groom or medicate them. Since Puppy Preschool classes are typically held in our supporting vet clinics, your puppy will also have lots of happy, positive associations with the vet hospital environment, which will help him enjoy future vet visits instead of being scared.