CORE SKILLS 101

good puppy

in-studio course / 9 weeks and older

cost $325 | 8 weeks ($40.62 per class)

Want to set up for success? This is the beginning training course for you! It’s simply the MOST comprehensive and effective basic skills course you will find, and it’s the first in our core skills series: Good Puppy, Great Puppy, then Wonder Puppy.

Our techniques include a combination of strategic use of boundaries and smart positive reinforcement—that means we use methods that help you get the behavior you want BEFORE indication of reward, not the other way around. This course provides the purest form of clicker training for all of the basic skills as well as the essentials of social comfort and bite prevention.

the goal: not only teaching your puppy good manners and you to become an effective trainer, but also building a healthy, happy relationship with your puppy!

to maximize learning: take Social Puppy as early as possible during the critical learning period of development in conjunction with Good Puppy. This class does not provide play time.

before your first class: one person from each family is required to attend our FREE Wonder Parenting 101 seminar. Once you attend, we will send you the slides from the class to share with the rest of the family. PLEASE NOTE: It’s okay if you are unable to attend the 101 before starting your class, so long as you can attend before your second class.

    • consists of 8 weekly 1-hour classes conducted in person or via Zoom. Note - for a successful online outcome, it’s necessary to also be socializing your puppy to the world, and practicing generalizing what you learn to outdoor and distracting environments

    • basic skills covered include auto focus | name response | sit | down | stay | recall | park it | take it/drop it | leave it | leash walking

    • social skills covered include boundary acceptance | sharing resources | bite inhibition | supervised separation | worldly sites + sounds | grooming + handling | play bond | people + dog comfort

    • limited to 6 puppies

    • clicker plus class slides and videos provided

    • puppy who’s 9 weeks or older, who has been in their current home for at least 10 days

    • before your first class - one person from each family is required to attend our FREE Wonder Parenting 101 seminar. Once you attend, we will send you the slides from the class to share with the rest of the family.

    • puppy behavior requirements - puppy must be manageable when in close proximity to other people and dogs. If your puppy is known to be vocal or reactive toward other dogs (even if they are just being overly-excited), in studio class is not the right fit for now. Please chat with the office for other options or if you are unsure.

    • your puppy has NOT had any diarrhea, lethargy, coughing or sneezing within 24 hours Description text goes here

    • please note: if your puppy is in heat (estrus cycle), please attend class without your puppy

    • semi-hungry, semi-tired, pottied puppy

    • 6-foot non-retractable leash

    • tether or second leash

    • harness and/or collar—no chain/prong/shock/vibrating collars

    • treat pouch

    • clicker

    • treats—3 types of HIGH-value, pea-sized yummies including 1 that’s slimy (turkey dogs, chicken…)

    • edible chew item or stuffed food puzzle

    • tug or squeaky toy

    • small portable mat for your dog to lay on

    • go to safe locations for socialization field trips with your puppy at least 3 to 4 times per week.

    • attend 2-3 structured play sessions per week (sessions should be well managed with a small trainer-to-puppy ratio such as 6:1).

    • reminder: anytime you leave your house - make sure to wear a treat pouch, have a toy, and bring very yummy treats for rewarding good behaviors and pairing positive associations with new experiences.

    • puppies must be socialized to attend in studio classes; very vocal and/or reactive dogs are not a fit for in studio classes

  • We allow children ages 6 and older to attend. Children ages 6-15 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about kids and puppies click here!

 

sign up

book your class below

If a course’s date range is longer than 8 weeks, then there’s a skip week or two (no class). Your instructor will fill you in on the specifics.

if you are signing up for an in-studio class, up to two people per puppy are allowed

  • make sure you get the online or in studio class you are expecting - double check the title that you select (it will say “online” or “in studio”)

  • very vocal and/or reactive dogs are not a fit for in studio classes

  • before your class starts, ONE person from each family is required to attend our FREE Wonder Parenting 101 seminar. Once you attend, we will send you the slides from the class to share with the rest of the family. PLEASE NOTE: It’s okay if you are unable to attend the 101 before starting your class.

  • if studio classes have to close due to covid at any point, they’ll be converted to the online format without interruption. Sorry, there will be no refunds in the case of conversion.