Puppy Class
The first goal of puppy class is to work on teaching your puppy to have a gentle mouth (bite inhibition) and to expose him to other dogs, people and different objects and surface textures (socialization). Bite inhibition and socialization are the two most important things for your puppy to learn at an early age because they will play a big role in determining your puppy’s temperament later in life. We also learn basic obedience skills and talk about how to solve common puppy problems (destructiveness, barking, biting, jumping up, and housetraining… to name a few).
What is socialization and why do I need to do it?
The critical socialization period is a time when dogs are most open to accepting new, pleasant experiences and people as a normal and safe part of life (between the ages of 4 and 16 weeks).
Socialization involves exposing your dog to as many new people, places, objects, and animals as possible, in a positive way. If the puppy has a good experience with these things during the socialization period, it is much more likely to be unafraid of them in the future.
Proper socialization helps create an adult dog who is friendly with people and other dogs, and is confident in new places.
What is bite inhibition and why is it important?
Bite inhibition is the fancy word for learning to have a gentle mouth. All dogs have the ability to bite, and even the best trained dog can bite if he is hurt or scared. Teaching good bite inhibition at an early age helps prevent serious dog bites when the puppy grows up. The best way to teach bite inhibition is to encourage your puppy to use his mouth (not a difficult task!) and give him feedback. Other puppies do this naturally when they play “OUCH! That hurt! I’m not playing!” so we encourage the puppies to play together in class, interspersing play sessions with obedience sessions.
When can my puppy start class?
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior view is that socialization is important enough to begin puppy classes before a puppy has finished its vaccine series. You can read their position statement here.
So new puppies can be enrolled in puppy class as soon as they have their first two sets of vaccines and one deworming, at least 7 days prior to their first class. There is no waiting for a new class to begin, as classes are ongoing.
What do we do in puppy class?
Over the eight weeks of class, you will learn about topics such as housetraining, handling, how to prevent biting, chewing, and barking, and learn basic obedience skills (sit, down, stand, coming when called, walking nicely on a leash, stay, and leave it). Puppies are off-leash for at least 80% of class, and play with each other in between obedience work (this teaches your puppy to listen even while around other dogs). The puppies are also exposed to “scary” objects, new surfaces to walk on, and novel noises and sounds each week. The Kinetic Canine Puppy class also fulfills all requirements to be an AKC STAR Puppy class. You may choose to take the AKC STAR Puppy test at the end of your eight weeks for a small additional fee ($5 to cover materials). The AKC STAR Puppy test is a simple demonstration of basic obedience, handling and temperment, and is the puppy version of the Canine Good Citizenship test. You can learn more about the program at the AKC Website.
What does it cost?
The eight week puppy class costs $150. If you sign up for Basic or Advanced Obedience at the same time (which you choose will depend on your needs at the end of puppy class), the cost for both classes is only $225 (Basic and Advanced Obedience are both six weeks long — this will allow you to keep practicing and training during your puppy’s “teenage” time – you can take your second class anytime it is offered within 3 months of finishing your puppy class, so you can fit it into your schedule).
How do I register?
To register, download a registration form here, or call or e-mail for one to be sent to you. Call or e-mail to make sure space is available in class on your preferred start date and to let us know when you will be coming. You can e-mail, fax, or mail in your completed registration form and vaccine records, or bring them to your first class.
