A puppy! Who can resist that cute face? Adorable as they are, in a few short months they will grow. And grow some more. . . Because puppies aren't born knowing the rules of our household, it's our responsibility to make sure that they learn how to peacefully coexist with us in our world.

Puppies eight weeks to 20 weeks (five months) are welcome to begin training. Worried about getting your pup out at such a young age? Read this letter from Robert K. Anderson, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

PUPPY COURSES and PROGRESSION

First: SMART PUPPY
Smart Puppy is the first course you'll take in this track. This course has everything you and your puppy need.

This is a seven-week course for puppies between 8 weeks and 20 weeks. Read a detailed course description.

Next: ADOLESCENT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Adolescent Middle School continues your puppy's education into adolescence. (Think your pup's a handful now, wait until he's about six months old! Take this course and we'll share the tips and tricks for surviving "the teenage years!"

This is a six week course for graduates of Smart Puppy. You'll solidify what you learned in that course and also learn important behaviors including stay, leave it, wait.

This course is a prerequisite for Out and About and Real Life Distractions. Read a detailed course description for Adolescent Middle School.

What you get

• Small-group instruction (one hour each week) on the things that you need to know about your puppy and you'll teach your puppy what he needs to know about living in the human world.
• Easy to read, step-by-step instructions on every behavior and every topic that is covered during the class. You don't need to take notes, it's all written down for you.
• Unlimited free e-mail access to your instructor to to discuss your progress, ask questions, or get advice on what you're learning.
• Structured and comfortable environment in which to learn about what your puppy needs from you and what you need from your puppy (and how to get it!).
• Graduation party, complete with graduation certificate to show off to your friends and neighbors!
• A well behaved puppy with whom you can enjoy spending time!

Schedule & Registration Info

• Schedule
• Class Location
• Cost
• Register and Pay Online or
• Mail Forms and payment via US Mail

How will it help me?

Smart Dog University can shed some light on the most common puppyhood problems:

• chewing
• house training
• puppy biting
• crate training
• interactions with children

It's also very important that your puppy find out as much about his world as possible. There is a very short time-period in which your puppy learns about what is scary and not scary. That which your puppy is not exposed to during this window of opportunity can become a problem in the future.

Puppy classes are a perfect way to expose your puppy to other friendly puppies, people, and children in a way that is relaxed, fun, and non-threatening. We build socialization exercises into every class for this very purpose. Puppy classes also have "Puppy Recess" in which the puppies are encouraged to play with one another to help develop their "doggy social skills."