Puppy Classes
Set your puppy up for success with our small-group, positive reinforcement classes in the Tri-Valley. From Preschool to Teen Dog Outings, certified Puppy Start Right instructors use force-free methods to build confidence, manners, and real-world skills.
Pup 1:
Puppy Preschool
For puppies 8–13 weeks
This class helps you effectively train your puppy and navigate daily life with confidence. Our Puppy Program focuses on socialization, confidence building, and early training foundations using positive reinforcement. Puppy Preschool is open enrollment, so you can join anytime. Each of the four classes teaches a different core skill, so you’ll learn something new no matter when you start. Your enrollment also includes access to Puppy Playtime and Puppy Field Trips—safe, structured experiences that support healthy social development during the critical socialization window.
4 Sessions | $240
Age: Puppies 8 to 13 Weeks
Start: As soon as your puppy has one distemper/parvo vaccination (and age appropriate boosters) and has been in the home for 1 week
Open enrollment: Join anytime, just book the next four class dates in order
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Puppy Preschool is designed for puppies 8–13 weeks old, the perfect age to start training before 14 weeks. This class is ideal for new puppy owners looking to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, good behavior, and confident socialization.
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Puppy Preschool is designed for pups under 13 weeks, following the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s recommendation that early socialization should begin before vaccinations are finished. We require at least one round of vaccines, 7 days home with no illness, and we disinfect the classroom before every session. Many vets even attend with their own puppies!
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Puppies in this age range are highly receptive and eager to explore, making it an ideal time to teach foundational skills and prevent behavior challenges before they become habits. Early training builds confidence, focus, and proper social skills.
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Each puppy has their own sheet-covered x-pen as a safe “home base” for off-leash training. Puppies also spend time in the larger exploration area to play, meet other puppies, and explore new objects—all carefully supervised to keep experiences positive and confidence-building.
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In Puppy Preschool, your puppy will learn:
Settling and calm behavior
Polite greetings with people and other puppies
Basic leash manners
Focus and attention on the handler
Handling for vet visits and grooming
Bite inhibition and prevention of common behaviors like jumping
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All lessons use positive reinforcement techniques with certified trainers, ensuring your puppy learns in a safe, fun, and stress-free environment.
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Yes! Access to Puppy Playtime and Puppy Field Trips during enrollment, providing safe, structured social experiences to support healthy development during the critical socialization window.
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If your puppy is over 14 weeks, they’re ready for Puppy Kindergarten! At this age, puppies are starting to explore the world more confidently. Our classes focus on age-appropriate training and continued socialization while prioritizing the health and safety of every puppy. This ensures they gain skills and confidence in a safe, controlled environment.
Pup 2:
Puppy Kindergarten
For puppies 14 weeks–6 months
Our 6-week foundational course is perfect for puppies 14 weeks to 6 months who are just beginning their training journey. We cover socialization, confidence building, loose-leash walking, attention, handling and grooming, polite greetings, and more—all taught through fun, positive reinforcement with a certified trainer. Your enrollment also includes access to Puppy Field Trips, offering safe, structured social experiences during the critical socialization window.
6-week course | $360
Age: 14 weeks to 6 months
Requirements: Puppies must be current on their distemper/parvo vaccines
Note: The first class is an orientation for people only (kids welcome)
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Puppy Kindergarten is designed for puppies 14 weeks to 6 months old who are ready to start training but are too old for Puppy Foundation. This class is ideal for puppies in the critical socialization window who are eager to learn and explore.
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In Puppy Kindergarten, you and your puppy will focus on:
Socialization with other puppies and people
Confidence-building exercises
Loose leash walking and polite greetings
Attention and focus on the handler
Basic obedience skills like leave it, wait, and recall
Handling and grooming practice
Staying calm around distractions, including other dogs
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All training is done using positive reinforcement techniques with certified trainers, ensuring learning is fun, effective, and stress-free.
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Yes! Access to Puppy Field Trips during enrollment, providing safe, structured social experiences that support your puppy’s growth and confidence.
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Puppies in this age range are highly attentive, curious, and eager to learn. Starting at this stage allows you to prevent common behavior challenges such as jumping, barking, pulling on the leash, leash biting, or sudden stops during walks.
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Puppy Kindergarten is tailored for slightly older puppies, providing age-appropriate training, confidence-building, and structured socialization, bridging the gap between early puppyhood and adolescence.
Pup 3:
Teen Dog Outings & Socialization
For puppies 5–8 months who’ve completed Puppy Kindergarten
This class is designed for adolescent dogs to practice manners and build confidence both inside our facility and out in the real world. Each session combines structured indoor practice with outdoor adventures, giving your dog the chance to succeed in different environments.
Dogs will work on polite leash walking, calm greetings, and settling skills while also building confidence through exploration, new sights and sounds, and guided social opportunities. With support from our certified trainers, you’ll learn how to keep your dog focused and engaged even with distractions.
6-week course | $360
Age: 5 to 8 months old
Prerequisite: Teen Dog Outings & Socialization is by trainer recommendation only. Not every puppy is ready for this step just yet, and that’s completely okay. Your trainer will help determine whether this class, another group option, or private training is the best fit for your dog’s current needs.
Requirements: Puppies must be current on their distemper/parvo vaccines
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Teen Dog Outings are guided training and socialization sessions designed for adolescent dogs to practice polite manners and calm behavior both inside our training facility and outdoors in real-world environments. These structured experiences help reinforce good behavior around distractions while providing safe opportunities for exploration.
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Each session combines indoor and outdoor learning, featuring group walks, structured greeting practice, confidence-building activities, and exposure to new sights, sounds, and surfaces. Our certified trainers guide every activity to ensure safe, positive, and effective experiences.
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The adolescent stage can be challenging,dogs may suddenly pull on leash, jump, bark excessively, or “forget” cues they previously mastered. Teen Dog Outings provide controlled, supportive practice so your dog learns to stay focused, confident, and engaged with you in everyday situations.
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These outings are perfect for dogs 5-8 months, who have Completion of Puppy Kindergarten training and are ready to build stronger skills in both classroom and real-world environments.
Additional Programs for Enrolled Students
Puppy Play Time
For puppies 8 weeks to 16 weeks enrolled in Puppy Preschool
Play is an important part of building healthy social relationships. In Puppy Play Time, your pup will enjoy safe, supervised play with carefully matched puppy friends, gaining confidence through positive interactions. Just as important, they’ll also practice how to relax and settle when it’s not their turn to say hello.
You’ll also learn how to read canine body language and support your puppy through every interaction, giving both you and your pup the tools for a lifetime of successful social experiences.
1 session for 50 minutes | $35
Age: 8 weeks to 16 weeks
Start: As soon as your puppy has at least one distemper/parvo vaccination and all age-appropriate boosters
Requirements: Must be enrolled in Puppy Preschool
Puppy Field Trips
For puppies 8 weeks to 6 months enrolled in Puppy Preschool or Kindergarten
Early experiences shape how your puppy feels about the world for life, so let’s make them positive! Join us for a trainer-guided outing where your pup will discover new sights, sounds, and smells while building confidence and social skills. Together, you’ll practice calm greetings, focus, and resilience in real-world settings, laying the foundation for a lifetime of positive experiences.
1 session for 50 minutes | $40
Age: 8 weeks to 6 months
Size: Up to 4 puppies per trip
Start: As soon as your puppy has at least one distemper/parvo vaccination and all age-appropriate boosters
Requirements: Must be enrolled in Puppy Preschool or Kindergarten