This class is designed for older puppies between 6 and 12 months. This is a 6-week class with a continuing focus on socializing but an even greater focus on basic obedience skills. There will be plenty of on and off-leash interaction and supervised playtime with the other puppies and their owners. This is the time to manage fear and aggression before it becomes a problem.
Puppies at this age are in the phase of development known to trainers as the "terrible teens" and it is important to really get a handle on wayward behaviors. Puppy II class will do intensive basic obedience training and will really help to solidify the skills that were learned in Puppy Kindergarten; sit, down, come, walking on leash, heel, leave it, and so on. This is the class where we introduce and achieve a "stay" with more intensive impulse control work. We will address issues that become more prevalent at this age like jumping up on people and objects, counter-surfing (for the larger puppies) and becoming overly enthusiastic when meeting new people.
Then we move on to attention and focus exercises. In order to gain more control it is critical to have the older puppy recognize that you are the most important person in his or her life. We will do exercises to help you get and maintain your dog’s attention. Once you have the dog's attention you will be able to gain greater control. It is especially helpful, with attention and focus exercises, to have the built in distractions of other dogs and people in the room. Distractions in class will make training at home much easier. This class is really great fun and the puppies actually look forward to coming and (from what we're told by clients) get excited every Saturday morning. They can hardly contain themselves on the way to class.
Rates
Puppies must be current on all vaccinations to attend
$150 per group of 6, 1-hour sessions (Discounts given to shelter dogs, seniors and disabled adults)