Gentle Touch Pet Training
We are a nonprofit program and all of our proceeds benefit Alpha Academy and New Life K9s
Puppy Preschool
Our 5-Week Course
Puppy Preschool is a 6-week class with the first class being an online orientation for people only. Puppies can be from 8-16 weeks old on the first day of class!
The critical socialization age for puppies is approximately 8-12 weeks old. The younger the better for puppy class! The puppy class will include socialization opportunities with other puppies and people.
What we'll work on:
We will use Clicker Training which is a very gentle approach to shaping your dog’s behavior through positive reinforcement. Using this positive and fun technique, you will learn how to begin teaching your dog basic foundation behaviors (such as sit, down, leave-it, and come).
We’ll also address house training, handling techniques, puppy mouthing, and learn proactive problem-solving techniques for chewing, jumping up, digging, etc. This is also the only time period where you can safely teach bite inhibition.
While in this class, you may also get your puppy AKC S.T.A.R. Certified! Click here for more info.
Upcoming Class Schedule
Get AKC S.T.A.R. Certfied
After completion of the Puppy Preschool Class, we can administer the S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluation. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The evaluation will be completed during the 6th session of the class at no additional charge!
How to pass AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
Dogs that pass all 14 items of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test may order an official AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate from the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Let us know if you'd like the S.T.A.R. Puppy Test
Let us know during Puppy Preschool or Puppy Enrichment if you would like your S.T.A.R. Puppy Test. If you need to set it up separately from class, you will need to contact us for an appointment and there will be an additional $15 fee.
For any clients (or their veterinarians) who have concerns about bringing puppies to Puppy Preschool Classes prior to completion of all puppy booster shots, please refer to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement On Puppy Socialization here.
