Puppy Kindergarten

The scheduled start dates and corresponding puppy birth dates for the Puppy Kindergarten  class are listed below. Please note:  we strictly adhere to the age requirements, and you should make sure that your puppy will be the appropriate age when the class starts.

Puppy Kindergarten Class Start Dates

Birthdate From	Birthdate To	Class Start Date
01/31/2011	03/18/2011*	06/06/2011
03/07/2011	04/18/2011	07/11/2011
04/04/2011	05/19/2011*	08/08/2011
05/09/2011	06/20/2011	09/12/2011
06/06/2011	07/18/2011	10/10/2011
07/04/2011	08/15/2011	11/07/2011
08/01/2011	09/12/2011	12/05/2011
09/05/2011	10/17/2011	01/09/2012
10/03/2011	11/14/2011	02/06/2012
10/31/2011	12/12/2011	03/05/2012
11/28/2011	01/09/2012	04/02/2012
12/26/2011	02/06/2012	04/30/2012
01/30/2012	03/12/2012	06/04/2012
02/27/2012	04/09/2012	07/02/2012
03/26/2012	05/07/2012	07/30/2012
04/23/2012	06/04/2012	08/27/2012
*      Birthdates	adjusted to provide	appropriate overlap

Puppy Kindergarten is a dynamic and educational class designed for puppies that are 12 to 18 weeks old when the class starts.  It is open to the general public and introduces the world of training to you in a way that will keep you challenged and excited about working with your puppy. You and your puppy attend class once a week for one hour on Monday evenings and then practice at home for a very short period each day. Class begins at 7:00 p.m. You will need to bring a 6 foot leather or nylon lead, an adjustable buckle collar (both of which may be purchased at our facilities if needed), a favorite toy, some soft puppy treats and of course your puppy. The cost of the class is $80 and all classes are held indoors in our air-conditioned and heated facility.

Although family members are encouraged to participate at times, one person must train the puppy through all of the classes. Children must be at least 12 years old to act as the primary handler and all children must be directly supervised while in our facility.
 

Our program is designed to help you create a working relationship with your puppy during this critical developmental period.  We teach you the skills you need to train your puppy how to be a well behaved member of your family.  This includes:

• How to walk politely on a leash and come when called with emphasis on motivation and a happy recall
• Training your puppy how to sit, down and stay
• Introduce heel position
• Introduce stand
• Training good manners in "real life" situations so you can take your puppy anywhere
• Provide a basic understanding of dog behavior
• Teach household manners including riding in a car and problem solving for behavioral issues such as barking, jumping, table manners, biting and chewing
• Learning socialization techniques you will use throughout puppyhood to create a well balanced adult dog
• Teach basic pet care including grooming, nail care, crate training, medicating, and spay/ neuter
• Helping your puppy to develop confidence and physical coordination through play and training
• Confidence / physical coordination building through use of the tunnel, stairs and ladder
• Assist handlers to develop appreciation of their dog’s breed characteristics
• Individual problem solving through question and answer periods

Enrollment in each class is limited to 12 puppies. Participants must pre-register by submitting an application and payment in full. Most classes typically fill up 7 to 10 days in advance. If the class is already full when we receive your application, we will contact you immediately to discuss other options. If upon receipt of your application, we do have room in the class for you, we will confirm your registration by email then one week prior to the class start date send you a postcard confirming your registration and reminding you of the date and time for the first class. This first session is a required class, if you do not attend the first class you will not be able to participate in the remaining classes.  

We do require that all puppies have at least their second set of puppy shots as well as bordetella. We will not allow a puppy into our building until we receive written proof from your veterinarian that all vaccinations are current. The form your veterinarian needs to sign is included with the application which you may return to us with your application or bring to class on the first night.

CATC members should follow the same procedures outlined above to register for Puppy Kindergarten including the submission of the vaccination history form. Members may take the class for free. Two spots in each session are reserved for members. Members must pre-register by submitting an application and the required vaccination record to the Apprentice Membership Chair. Applications are accepted in the order that they are received.