Puppy Start Right

The Puppy Start Right Preschool class caters to puppies up to 20 weeks old who are not fully vaccinated. With our open enrollment format, you can begin the class when it best suits your puppy. Puppy Preschool is currently held on Sundays at 9:00 am. This in-person class includes an online classroom.

Why should you start your puppy in a group class at this young age?

Puppy Preschool is tailored for young puppies to ensure they’re not overwhelmed. Puppy Preschool class teaches puppies confidence around their peers, with potential off-leash interaction among compatible puppies to encourage learning from positive social interactions. Parallel play and enrichment activities are offered for puppies less inclined towards physical interaction with their peers.

What is the difference between an under-vaccinated puppy and a fully vaccinated puppy?

The difference lies in their level of immunity: an under-vaccinated puppy hasn’t completed the DHPP vaccination series, which is essential for protection against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Vaccinations start between 6-8 weeks and are given every 2-4 weeks until the puppy reaches at least 16 weeks. A puppy is deemed fully vaccinated after receiving the final DHPP shot, usually between 16-18 weeks, with the initial rabies vaccine typically administered at three months.

The health and vaccination requirements for this class are listed below in the “Requirements” section. Click here for a printable checklist of requirements you can give your veterinarian.

Class Instructor: Michele Almeida

Class Length: Four 45-60 minute classroom sessions

You and Your Dog Will Learn:

• Guidance on key early puppyhood issues, including biting, potty training, coping with separation, and socializing with humans and other animals
• Encourage curiosity and resiliency through the exploration of unfamiliar objects, sounds, and surfaces
• Kickstart the journey to leash walking
• Enhancing engagement through dynamic focus-based games
• Gain insights into interpreting your puppy's body language for better communication

Requirements:

• Documentation of a negative fecal test result from your veterinarian indicating that your puppy is free from giardia and other parasites MUST be uploaded in order to register for this class. This test is often called an antigen and ova screening for parasites, including giardia. Your vet will send a sample to the lab for testing. Alternatively, you can order a fecal test kit and have the results within days. Many vets have long appointment wait times, so this may be a good option. You can order your kit here.
• Documentation that a veterinary clinic has administered at least one DHPP vaccine, and that 10 days have passed by the start of class if it was the initial DHPP vaccine. We may ask for documentation that you are keeping up-to-date with your puppy's DHPP vaccinations. You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• Documentation of a bordetella (kennel cough) immunization administered by a veterinary clinic. This can be administered as an injection, oral drops, or nasal spray. You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• We ask that you please give your new puppy 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.

Puppy Start Right Kindergarten is for fully vaccinated puppies 20 weeks – 12 months of age who have graduated from preschool OR are just starting with training. This in-person class includes an online classroom.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver or Michele Almeida

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

You and Your Dog Will Learn:

• Discover the four foundational pillars of puppy upbringing: L.E.G.S. - Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self
• Master the art of incorporating treats effectively in your training sessions
• Unleash the power of play to enhance your puppy's training experience
• Guide your puppy through their social journey, including interactions with humans and fellow canines
• Establish consistent routines to foster an optimal learning environment
• Gain insights into interpreting your puppy's body language for better communication
• Delve into the significance of your dog's breed on their behavior to tailor your approach
• Equip yourself with training techniques that ensure lifelong skills for your dog

Requirements:

• Your puppy must be between 20 weeks - 12 months old at the start of class.
• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your puppy is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• We ask that you please give your new puppy 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• Your puppy must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs. If your puppy has a history of barking at dogs or people, growling, or has bitten another dog or person, please contact us to discuss if this class is right for your puppy. Private lessons are also available and may be recommended.

With our open enrollment format, you can begin the class when it best suits your puppy. Kindergarten Level One Open Enrollment is currently held on Sundays at 10:30 am. This in-person class includes an online classroom. This content of this class is the same as our traditional six week class, however, you can join in on any Sunday rather than having to wait.

Class Instructor: Michele Almeida

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

You and Your Dog Will Learn:

• Discover the four foundational pillars of puppy upbringing: L.E.G.S. - Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self
• Master the art of incorporating treats effectively in your training sessions
• Unleash the power of play to enhance your puppy's training experience
• Guide your puppy through their social journey, including interactions with humans and fellow canines
• Establish consistent routines to foster an optimal learning environment
• Gain insights into interpreting your puppy's body language for better communication
• Delve into the significance of your dog's breed on their behavior to tailor your approach
• Equip yourself with training techniques that ensure lifelong skills for your dog

Requirements:

• Your puppy must be between 20 weeks - 12 months old at the start of class.
• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your puppy is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• We ask that you please give your new puppy 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• Your puppy must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs. If your puppy has a history of barking at dogs or people, growling, or has bitten another dog or person, please contact us to discuss if this class is right for your puppy. Private lessons are also available and may be recommended.

Please put your name on the waitlist and you will be notified when we get enough interest to put this class on the schedule. Puppy Start Right Kindergarten Level Two is generally held on a Saturday or Sunday.

This class strengthens what you learned in Kindergarten Level One — and raises the bar. You’ll work on leash fluency, longer stays, calm behavior around distractions, and engagement games that teach your pup to focus with you, not despite the world.

To enroll, handlers must know how to:

• Use a marker signal and reward promptly
• Lure behaviors with food
• Use basic leash handling techniques
• Apply a release cue
  

These are skills taught in Kindergarten Level One and are expected at the start of this class.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver or Michele Almeida

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

You and Your Dog Will Learn:

• Build reliable stays with real-life distractions
• Improve loose leash walking with better focus and rhythm
• Practice check-ins, pattern games, and leash games
• Handle mild real-world distractions with confidence
• Strengthen your use of marker cues, reward timing, and release cues
• Read and respond to your dog’s body language and arousal levels

Requirements:

• Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten Level One, an equivalent class taken elsewhere, or instructor approval.
• Your puppy must be between 6 - 12 months old at the start of class.
• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your puppy is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• We ask that you please give your new puppy 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• Your puppy must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs. If your puppy has a history of barking at dogs or people, growling, or has bitten another dog or person, please contact us to discuss if this class is right for your puppy. Private lessons are also available and may be recommended.