Puppy Kindergarten Class

Puppies need “socialization” to learn to play appropriately with other dogs. According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), early socialization is critical and should not be put off until puppy vaccinations are complete:

"The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing over-stimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated ... (to read the full AVSAB Position Statement about early socialization, go to:
http://avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php.

The best time to start is 10 weeks of age. This is also the optimum time to teach your puppy to:

• Greet people politely (instead of jumping on them!)
• Sit
• Refrain from nipping people (bite inhibition)
• Accept handling and restraint from veterinarians and groomers (and you!)
• Come when called
• Housetraining

The Puppy Kindergarten Class will allow you and your puppy to learn the skills to start off on the right paw, all in a positive, reward-based, family friendly environment. No choke chains or pinch collars are used. Classes are held indoors at VCA Rossmoor-El Dorado Animal Hospital in Los Alamitos.

This class is a 4-week course with the flexibility to meet you and your pup’s needs. Enroll for the entire 4 weeks or enroll for individual classes. No more waiting several weeks until another class starts! You can start the very next week as long as you are pre-enrolled—and as long as your puppy is under 20 weeks of age on any given class date. Of course, it will be most beneficial for your puppy to attend all four classes, but that may not be possible for everyone. This way, you can still get the most from the classes based on your individual situation.*

Pre-enrollment is required, but it's easy and quick. You can enroll via postal service, phone (credit card), or online (credit card or Pay Pal). The full series of 4 classes costs $110.00, or you can pay $37.50 for each individual class.

*For everyone’s comfort and the best learning environment, we only take six puppies in each class, so enroll early.

CLASS DETAILS

Location:
VCA Rossmoor-El Dorado Animal Hospital
10832 Los Alamitos Blvd.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (Map)

When: Saturdays, 4 – 5 p.m.

Instructors: Maryanne Dell, CPDT, Kelli Knowles, Sierra Smith, CPDT
Assistant: Sean Vidaurri

Class Coordinator
Kelli Knowles
562-423-0793
kelli@dogpact.com

What to Bring to Class

• Hungry puppy
• Empty puppy (potty puppy outside before coming inside to class)
• Lots of yummy treats
• Fun toys
• Puppy on a flat buckle collar or harness (no choke chains or pinch collars)
• 6’ cloth, nylon, or leather leash (no chain leashes and no retractable leashes)
• Fanny pack or bait bag to hold your treats (we will also have these for sale)

Our Instructors

Our instructors are certified professional dog trainers (CPDTs). Meet the instructors.

Need help? Call 562-423-0793.

Click here to read the Conditions Document
Visit the conditions page before filling out your enrollment information. If you leave this page without clicking the [Enroll Now] button all your enrollment information will be deleted.

ENROLLMENT FORM

Note: If you select the Full Series of 4 Classes, please DO NOT place check marks in the individual classes. The discounted $110.00 fee will be added to your cart in addition to the $37.50/per class fee for any additional classes selected.