We love when pups are able to start our dayschool program when they are 16 weeks or under. This is the ideal time to start training! Our 3-week drop-off program provides a safe and structured environment where your puppy gets the training, socialization, enrichment and other valuable life skills they need in order to become a confident, well-rounded companion for your family. We use positive, reward-based training methods making training a FUN experience for your puppy.
Puppies who are 16 weeks and under at the start of their program are given special developmentally appropriate training. Pups in this age category (the Critical Socialization Period) will benefit greatly from the socialization, acclimation and confidence building exercises we include in their customized training plan. We’ll also have time to work on their basic manners. But the most important priority is to do the activities that yield a confident dog. Anxious and fearful dogs have a much higher incidence of aggression, and don’t do as well in training. By starting our program while the pup is in this age category your pup is highly likely to develop the confident, go-with-the-flow temperament that helps him be a great family companion.
While at day school, young puppies (16 weeks and under at start of program) are housed in a separate “puppy room”, away from the “big kids”. The pups get plenty of exposure to older dogs at a distance, as that’s an important part of socialization. But there’s no need to worry about your young puppy being mixed in with much larger, more mature dogs.
Great Manners
With the young puppies we put a bigger emphasis on socialization, exposure, handling and overall confidence building. Our program will also help your pup with his potty training and crate training. Beyond that, you’ll provide us with the Manners behaviors (see previous page) you are most interested in and we’ll prioritize those in your pup’s training plan.
Socialization, Exposure, Handling and Confidence Building
Puppies are in a critical period of their lives where they will start to develop their feelings about the world. Our trainers will expose your pup to many different sights, sounds, textures, people, dogs, and more. We want your pup to have a positive outlook on life and think new sights and sounds are no big deal! Here’s a sample list of things your pup will be exposed to:
- Medical Equipment
- Household Items
- Things with Wheels
- People with Weird Clothing
- Novel Items
- Unsteady Surfaces
- Shiny Surfaces
- Loud surfaces
- Items hanging from above
- Stairs
- Ramps
- Ball Bit
- Flirt Poll
- Tunnels
- Farm Animal Sounds
- Bird Sounds
- Wildlife Sounds
- Car Sounds
- Siren Sounds
- City Sounds
- Playground Sounds
- Construction Sounds
- Train Sounds
- Firework Sounds
- Doorbell Sounds
- Storm Sounds
- Household Sounds
- Smoke Detector Sounds
We’ll also get your pup ready for happy vet and grooming visits. This includes prepping your pup for nail trims, brushing, vaccinations, and more.
Monitored Group Play With Other Puppies
Our professional trainers are experts in doggie body language and play. Your pup will be specifically placed with other puppies that match your dog’s play style and energy level so that this is a fun experience for your puppy. We want your pup to learn how to play well with other dogs, how to listen and read their body language and how to take breaks and come back to you when appropriate.
