Puppy Essentials: Foundation for a Lifetime of Partnership

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is a profound milestone, full of joy and unique responsibilities. This comprehensive introductory course is structured to provide both you and your canine companion with a seamless transition during these formative early months. Designed specifically for puppies younger than 20 weeks, our curriculum focuses on proactive socialization, the mechanics of positive reinforcement, and the cultivation of essential life skills. Throughout this course, we will navigate the critical developmental windows that help shape your puppy’s future behavior. You will learn to establish clear, force-free communication pathways, ensuring your puppy develops confidence, resilience, and an enthusiastic willingness to cooperate.

Key Learning Pillars

• Behavioral Foundations: Master the mechanics of marker training to effectively communicate boundaries, capture desired behaviors, and establish a reliable response to core cues such as attention, sit, down, and polite leash awareness.

• Proactive Socialization: Navigate managed exposure to novel stimuli, varied surfaces, sounds, and unfamiliar handling. This structured approach builds environmental neutrality and prevents the development of fear-based behaviors.

• Essential Management Skills: Gain practical, stress-free protocols for cooperative care, crate conditioning, house training, and addressing common developmental behaviors such as mouthing, jumping, and adolescent boundary-testing.

• The Art of Focus: Cultivate engagement under mild, controlled distractions, teaching your puppy to prioritize connection with you over competing environmental reinforcers.

By investing in these foundational pillars today, you are not merely teaching obedience; you are optimizing your dog's long-term behavioral health and laying the foundation for a harmonious, lifelong partnership.

Our next sessions run on the following dates:

• Wednesdays: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, (11/11 skipped)

With the hybrid class model, classes are a combination of Zoom & in person.

• Classes 1, 2, and 5 are virtual on Zoom. The trainer will send out a Zoom link prior to the class. 

• Classes 3, 4, and 6 are in-person at the City Animal Veterinary Center in Windsor Terrace at 284 Prospect West.

Space is limited to 4 pups per class!

Once you receive a payment confirmation, you have reserved a spot in class. You will receive a welcome message to the email address you provided with your payment 24 - 72 hours before your class is scheduled to start.

In the event of rain, certain outside classes will be postponed to the rain date. Please ensure you can attend that date as well. Vaccination records are required for all in-person classes and events. Refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee.