Puppy Preschool,
K9 Kindergarten, Play School and Board & Train
PAWS AT PLAY DOG TRAINING
Training for Real Life.
A well-trained dog isn't just a dog who knows commands.
It's a dog who can communicate with you, navigate the world with confidence, make better choices when life gets distracting, and become an even better part of your family.
At Paws At Play, our training programs are designed to grow with your dog — from their very first puppy experiences to advanced real-world obedience.
Our professional trainers use positive, reward-based training methods to build communication, confidence, practical skills, and lasting behaviors.
POSITIVE TRAINING. PRACTICAL SKILLS. BETTER COMMUNICATION.
Puppy Preschool • K9 Kindergarten • Play School • Board & Train • Obedience Training
THE PAWS AT PLAY TRAINING DIFFERENCE
Training Should Build Trust — Not Fear.
We believe how your dog learns matters just as much as what they learn.
That's why all Paws At Play training programs use positive, reward-based training methods.
NO E-COLLARS.
NO PRONG COLLARS.
NO FEAR-BASED TRAINING.
Instead, our trainers use reinforcement, repetition, clear communication, thoughtful environmental management, and progressive challenges to help dogs understand what we're asking of them.
We don't want a dog who simply performs because they're trying to avoid discomfort.
We want a dog who understands, engages, learns, and wants to work with you.
Our philosophy is simple:
Reward what you want.
Prevent rehearsal of what you don't want.
Increase difficulty when the dog is ready.
TRAINING THAT GROWS WITH YOUR DOG
One Training Philosophy. Multiple Ways to Learn.
Dogs don't stop learning when puppy class ends.
We've created a progressive training system so owners always have somewhere to go next.
PUPPY PRESCHOOL
Build the foundation.
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AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY®
Celebrate your puppy's first training milestone.
↓
K9 KINDERGARTEN
Turn puppy skills into real-world manners.
↓
AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN®
Work toward nationally recognized good-dog manners.
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KEEP LEARNING
Play School • Obedience • Advanced Training • Specialty Goals
For dogs and families looking for a more immersive training experience, we also offer:
BOARD & TRAIN
Professional daily training, individualized goals, structured experiences, and real-world skill development.
PUPPY PRESCHOOL
Where Great Dogs Get Their Start.
The first months of your puppy's life are about so much more than teaching "sit."
Your puppy is learning how to interact with people, communicate with you, explore unfamiliar environments, handle frustration, meet other dogs appropriately, and navigate a world that is completely new to them.
Puppy Preschool gives young puppies a positive start through age-appropriate training, thoughtful socialization, confidence building, and practical life skills.
And there's something exciting to work toward.
AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY® BUILT INTO PRESCHOOL
S.T.A.R. stands for:
SOCIALIZATION • TRAINING • ACTIVITY • RESPONSIBILITY
Our Puppy Preschool curriculum incorporates the skills and responsible-owner components of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® Program.
Throughout Preschool, puppies work on skills including:
Name recognition and engagement
Sit and down
Coming when called
Beginning leash manners
Appropriate interactions with people
Appropriate puppy socialization
Handling and grooming
Collar and harness comfort
Polite greetings
Confidence around new environments
Everyday distractions
Brief separation from their owner
Trading and releasing toys or treats
Responsible puppy ownership
A BIG FINISH FOR OUR LITTLEST STUDENTS
Puppy Preschool is taught with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator and includes the opportunity for eligible puppies to complete the official AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® test at graduation.
Puppies who successfully complete the test can be enrolled with AKC to receive their official S.T.A.R. Puppy recognition.
GRADUATED PRESCHOOL?
Your puppy's education is just getting started.
Next Stop → K9 Kindergarten
K9 KINDERGARTEN
Puppy Skills Meet the Real World.
Your puppy learned the basics.
Now it's time to make those skills work when the world gets a little more interesting.
K9 Kindergarten builds on your dog's early training by developing greater focus, self-control, leash manners, recall, and appropriate behavior around people, dogs, and everyday distractions.
WORKING TOWARD CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
Our K9 Kindergarten curriculum incorporates the 10 skills of the AKC Canine Good Citizen® Program.
Kindergarteners work on:
Accepting a friendly stranger
Sitting politely for petting
Grooming and handling
Loose-leash walking
Walking through a crowd
Sit, down, and staying in place
Coming when called
Appropriate reactions to another dog
Appropriate reactions to distractions
Supervised separation
But the goal isn't simply to perform these behaviors inside a training room.
We want your dog to be able to use their skills in real life.
THE DESTINATION: CANINE GOOD CITIZEN.
Dogs who are ready have the opportunity to take the official AKC Canine Good Citizen® test with our AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.
Some dogs may be ready at the end of Kindergarten. Others may benefit from additional practice before testing.
Because our goal isn't simply to pass a test.
Our goal is to build a genuinely well-mannered dog.
PLAY SCHOOL
Don't Just Go to Daycare. Go to School.
For Dogs 1 Year of Age and Older
Some dogs need more than a day of play.
They need somewhere they can exercise their body, engage their brain, practice better behavior, continue developing social skills, and learn how to navigate the real world.
That's Play School.
Play School combines the things dogs love about Paws At Play with purposeful professional training.
PLAY. TRAIN. LEARN. REST. REPEAT.
And because every dog is different, Play School doesn't begin with a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
It begins by getting to know you and your dog.
STEP 1: TRAINER MEET & GREET
Tell Us About Your Dog.
All Play School dogs are required to complete a Meet & Greet with one of our trainers before beginning the program.
This gives us an opportunity to meet your dog, learn about their history and current behavior, and hear directly from you about what you'd like to accomplish.
We'll discuss things such as:
Behaviors you'd like help with
Your dog's previous training
Current skills
Household manners
Leash and walking concerns
Recall
Social behavior
Confidence
Environmental concerns
Your daily lifestyle
Your priorities
Your long-term training goals
Maybe your dog jumps on guests.
Maybe walks have become a workout.
Maybe recall disappears the second something exciting happens.
Maybe your dog needs confidence.
Or maybe you simply want better everyday manners.
Those goals become part of the plan.
The Meet & Greet also allows our trainer to determine whether Play School is the appropriate program for your dog.
STEP 2: 5-DAY PLAY SCHOOL INDUCTION
Now It's Our Turn to Get to Know Them.
Following the Trainer Meet & Greet, your dog begins a 5-Day Play School Induction.
Throughout the induction week, our training team evaluates areas including:
Social behavior
Play style
Confidence
Handler engagement
Basic obedience
Leash manners
Recall
Impulse control
Environmental responses
Ability to settle
Learning style
Individual training needs
We combine what you told us during the Meet & Greet with what we observe during induction to establish your dog's individualized training priorities.
STEP 3: 4 WEEKS OF PLAY + TRAINING
Daycare With a Purpose.
Following a successful induction, dogs continue into four weeks of purposeful Play School.
Rather than spending the entire day in open play, dogs rotate through appropriate experiences that may include:
STRUCTURED SOCIALIZATION
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
ENRICHMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
REAL-WORLD SKILL BUILDING
APPROPRIATE REST
Our core Play School curriculum incorporates the skills associated with the AKC Canine Good Citizen® Programwhile also allowing our trainers to work toward the individual goals identified for your dog.
Training may include:
Sit and down
Stay
Place and settling
Loose-leash walking
Recall
Leave it
Release
Polite greetings
Handler engagement
Impulse control
Appropriate behavior around other dogs
Handling and grooming
Environmental confidence
Appropriate responses to distractions
Calm behavior
Individual owner-requested goals
PLAY SCHOOL GRADUATION
Five Weeks. A More Purposeful Dog.
At the end of the program, owners receive an update on their dog's progress, including:
Skills Achieved • Skills Still Developing • Individual Goal Progress • CGC Readiness • Recommended Next Steps
Dogs who demonstrate readiness may also have the opportunity to complete the official AKC Canine Good Citizen® test with our AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.
THE PLAY SCHOOL JOURNEY
Trainer Meet & Greet
↓
5-Day Induction
↓
4 Weeks of Play + Training
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Progress Review + CGC Readiness
BOARD & TRAIN
A Different Kind of Board & Train.
Board & Train can be an incredibly convenient and effective way to give your dog consistent professional training.
But how your dog is trained matters.
At Paws At Play, we offer an immersive Board & Train experience built around positive, reward-based training.
NO E-COLLARS.
NO PRONG COLLARS.
NO SHORTCUTS.
We use communication, reinforcement, repetition, structured experiences, environmental exposure, and progressive challenges to teach dogs what we want them to do.
We're not looking for quick compliance.
We're building understanding, confidence, and reliability.
And before we ever recommend a Board & Train program, we get to know the dog at the other end of the leash.
STEP 1: TRAINER MEET & GREET
Every Board & Train Starts With a Conversation.
All Board & Train dogs are required to complete a Meet & Greet with one of our trainers before beginning induction.
The Meet & Greet gives you dedicated time with our trainer to discuss your dog, the behaviors you're experiencing, and what you hope to accomplish.
We'll discuss:
Your dog's behavior history
Previous training
Current obedience skills
Behaviors you'd like to improve
Leash manners
Recall
Household behaviors
Social behavior
Confidence
Environmental concerns
Your daily lifestyle
Your priorities
Your training goals
This also gives our trainer an opportunity to meet your dog and determine whether Board & Train is an appropriate option.
We don't believe in promising a predetermined result before we've met the dog.
STEP 2: 5-DAY BOARD & TRAIN INDUCTION
Observe. Learn. Then Build the Plan.
Following the Trainer Meet & Greet, dogs complete a required 5-Day Training Induction before entering a 14-, 21-, or 28-Day Board & Train.
During induction, our training team evaluates your dog's:
Temperament
Learning style
Motivation
Handler engagement
Current obedience
Leash skills
Recall
Social behavior
Confidence
Environmental responses
Individual training needs
The Meet & Greet tells us what you're experiencing at home and what you'd like to accomplish.
The induction shows us how your dog learns and responds while working with our training team.
Together, those pieces allow us to establish individualized goals and recommend the Board & Train length best suited to your dog.
14-DAY BOARD & TRAIN
Foundations for Everyday Life.
5-Day Induction + 14-Day Board & Train
Our 14-Day Board & Train focuses on creating stronger foundational obedience and practical everyday manners.
BEHAVIORS INCLUDE:
Sit + Sit Stay
Down + Down Stay
Place
Go to a designated training cot or bed and remain until released.
Loose-Leash Walking
Walking without pulling.
Recall
Coming when called.
Leave It
Release Command
Training also includes:
Structured Socialization • Environmental Exposure • Daily Training • Progress Updates • Individualized Goals • Go-Home Lesson
BEST FOR:
Dogs needing stronger everyday manners, improved leash skills, foundational obedience, better impulse control, and greater communication with their owners.
21-DAY BOARD & TRAIN
Greater Reliability. Greater Challenge.
5-Day Induction + 21-Day Board & Train
The 21-Day Board & Train gives our trainers additional time to take foundational behaviors and develop greater reliability around distractions and in different environments.
BEHAVIORS INCLUDE:
Sit + Sit Stay
Down + Down Stay
Place
Loose-Leash Walking
Functional Heel
Advanced Recall
Leave It
Release Command
The additional training time allows for considerably more:
Proofing • Distractions • Environmental Exposure • Public Outings When Appropriate • Recall Work • Duration • Distance • Individualized Goals
BEST FOR:
Dogs who need more than foundational obedience and would benefit from additional repetition, distraction work, stronger leash skills, impulse control, and real-world reliability.
28-DAY BOARD & TRAIN
Our Most Comprehensive Training Experience.
5-Day Induction + 28-Day Board & Train
Some behaviors simply need more time.
Our 28-Day Board & Train gives our training team the greatest opportunity to teach, reinforce, generalize, and proof behaviors across different environments and situations.
Dogs work through our advanced Board & Train curriculum with substantially more time dedicated to:
Sit + Sit Stay
Down + Down Stay
Place
Loose-Leash Walking
Functional Heel
Advanced Recall
Leave It
Release Command
Advanced distractions
Public outings when appropriate
Environmental exposure
Duration and distance
Stronger real-world reliability
Individualized training goals
BEST FOR:
Dogs requiring a more comprehensive training experience, dogs with multiple training goals, or owners looking for the greatest amount of professional training and real-world proofing.
WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH BOARD & TRAIN?
More Than Training Sessions.
Your dog isn't spending two or three weeks sitting around waiting for the next lesson.
Our Board & Train experience considers the whole dog.
Depending on your dog's individual needs and training plan, their experience may incorporate:
Daily positive, reward-based training
Structured socialization
Appropriate play
Individual enrichment
Environmental exposure
Public outings when appropriate
Exercise
Intentional rest and decompression
Individualized training goals
Progress updates
Trainer observations
Owner education
And every program concludes with one of the most important parts of Board & Train:
THE HANDOFF.
YOUR DOG LEARNED THE SKILLS.
NOW WE TEACH YOU.
Training your dog is only part of our job.
A dog can learn a tremendous amount while working with a professional trainer, but those skills have to transfer back into everyday life.
That's why every Board & Train includes a comprehensive Go-Home Lesson.
During your private handoff, we'll teach you how to communicate with your dog using the same cues, expectations, reinforcement, and techniques used throughout their training.
You'll learn how to:
Use each trained behavior correctly
Reinforce good choices
Maintain expectations
Continue practicing at home
Handle common setbacks
Prevent old habits from returning
Continue building reliability
Because a successful Board & Train shouldn't create a dog who only listens to the trainer.
It should create a dog and owner who understand each other better.
THE BOARD & TRAIN JOURNEY
Trainer Meet & Greet
↓
5-Day Training Induction
↓
14, 21 or 28-Day Board & Train
↓
Private Go-Home Lesson
↓
Continue Building at Home
WHICH TRAINING PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR MY DOG?
Have a Puppy?
START WITH → PUPPY PRESCHOOL
Build socialization, confidence, foundational training, and work toward AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy®.
Graduated Puppy Preschool?
CONTINUE WITH → K9 KINDERGARTEN
Turn puppy skills into real-world manners while working toward AKC Canine Good Citizen®.
Is Your Dog 1+ and You Want Training Built Into Their Day?
EXPLORE → PLAY SCHOOL
Start with a Trainer Meet & Greet, followed by a five-day induction and four weeks combining structured play, positive training, enrichment, socialization, CGC skills, and individualized goals.
Looking for an Immersive Training Experience?
EXPLORE → BOARD & TRAIN
Start with a Trainer Meet & Greet to discuss your dog's behaviors and your goals, followed by a required five-day induction.
From there, we'll recommend the appropriate 14-, 21-, or 28-Day Board & Train experience.
Want to Learn Alongside Your Dog?
CHOOSE → OBEDIENCE TRAINING
Learn the skills and techniques you'll use together for years to come.
OUR TRAINING PROMISE
Positive Methods. Practical Skills. Better Communication.
Every dog who walks through our doors is an individual.
Training isn't about forcing every dog through the exact same process.
It's about understanding the dog in front of us, finding what motivates them, teaching them how to succeed, and progressively building skills they can use in everyday life.
POSITIVE, REWARD-BASED TRAINING
We reinforce the behaviors we want and teach dogs how to make better choices.
NO E-COLLARS OR PRONG COLLARS
Our training philosophy does not rely on these tools.
INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING
Every dog learns differently. Our trainers adjust the process to the dog in front of them.
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Training should work outside the classroom — at home, on walks, around distractions, and throughout everyday life.
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
Our trainers don't just train dogs. We help owners understand how to continue the process.
AKC MILESTONES
With an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator on our training team, eligible dogs can work toward nationally recognized AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® and AKC Canine Good Citizen® achievements.
A CLEAR NEXT STEP
Training doesn't end at graduation.
We'll help you decide where to go next.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What training methods does Paws At Play use?
Paws At Play uses positive, reward-based training methods throughout our training programs.
We focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, providing clear communication, preventing unwanted behaviors from being repeatedly practiced, and progressively increasing difficulty as dogs become successful.
We do not use e-collars or prong collars in our training programs.
Does my puppy really have the opportunity to earn AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy®?
Yes.
Our Puppy Preschool incorporates the S.T.A.R. Puppy skills and is taught with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. Eligible puppies have the opportunity to complete the official S.T.A.R. Puppy test at graduation.
AKC requires the puppy and owner to attend at least six classes taught by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator as part of the program requirements.
Can my dog earn AKC Canine Good Citizen® at Paws At Play?
Yes.
Our K9 Kindergarten and Play School programs incorporate the skills associated with the AKC Canine Good Citizen® test.
Dogs who demonstrate readiness may have the opportunity to test with our AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.
Because every dog progresses differently, completing one of our training programs does not automatically guarantee a passing CGC score.
What's the difference between Play School and daycare?
Traditional daycare primarily focuses on supervised social play and care.
Play School adds intentional professional training to your dog's day.
Dogs rotate through purposeful experiences that may include structured socialization, individual training, enrichment, environmental exposure, skill building, and appropriate rest.
Does my dog need a Meet & Greet for Play School?
Yes.
All Play School dogs begin with a Trainer Meet & Greet so we can meet your dog and discuss their behaviors, training history, challenges, and your individual goals.
Following the Meet & Greet, dogs complete their required 5-Day Play School Induction before beginning the four-week program.
What's the difference between Play School and Board & Train?
Play School allows your dog to train during the day and return home, making it a great option for ongoing skill development while still enjoying structured socialization and activities.
Board & Train is an immersive residential training experience where your dog stays with us while receiving consistent professional training.
Both programs begin with a Trainer Meet & Greet and required five-day induction.
Why does Board & Train require a Meet & Greet?
Because we want to understand your concerns and your goals before we begin evaluating your dog.
The Meet & Greet gives you dedicated time with our trainer to discuss your dog's history, current behaviors, previous training, and what you'd like to accomplish.
It also gives our trainer an opportunity to meet your dog and determine whether Board & Train is an appropriate training option.
Why is a five-day induction required before Board & Train?
We want to know the dog we're training before recommending the program.
The Meet & Greet tells us about your experience with your dog.
Induction allows us to experience the dog ourselves.
Over five days, our trainers can observe learning style, motivation, current skills, social behavior, confidence, environmental responses, and other factors that help us create realistic training goals.
Following induction, we'll recommend the Board & Train program we believe is most appropriate.
How do I know whether my dog needs 14, 21, or 28 days?
You don't have to decide alone.
That's one of the reasons we require the Meet & Greet and five-day induction.
After getting to know your dog and understanding your goals, our trainer can recommend the program length that best fits the amount of training, repetition, proofing, and real-world practice your dog is likely to need.
Will my dog be perfectly trained when they come home from Board & Train?
Training is an ongoing process.
Board & Train can create a strong foundation and significantly improve your dog's skills, but owners play an essential role in maintaining those behaviors once the dog returns home.
That's why every Board & Train includes a private Go-Home Lesson designed to transfer the training from our team to yours.
YOUR DOG'S NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE.
Maybe you're raising your very first puppy.
Maybe you've survived puppyhood and you're ready for better manners.
Maybe daycare needs a little more purpose.
Maybe walks have become frustrating.
Maybe you want professional help without using e-collars or prong collars.
Or maybe you're ready to completely change the way you and your dog communicate.
Wherever you're starting, we'll help you find the next step.
PUPPY PRESCHOOL
K9 KINDERGARTEN
PLAY SCHOOL
BOARD & TRAIN
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
TRAIN SMARTER. LIVE BETTER. PLAY TOGETHER.
PAWS AT PLAY
Where Play Meets Purpose — And Service Exceeds Expectations.
The Puppy Partnership: Your Evidence Based Guide To Dog Development
Raise a Confident, Well-Behaved Puppy—Without the Overwhelm
This modern, science-backed guide empowers new puppy parents with a clear, compassionate roadmap to raising a well-adjusted dog. Designed for busy families, it breaks down the essentials of positive reinforcement training into simple, actionable steps—complete with milestone markers, photo-rich instructions, and digital companion resources.
Whether you're tackling potty training, teething, or socialization challenges, this book offers real-life solutions and proven strategies to ease the stress of puppyhood. It also introduces the ideal partner in your journey: our expertly designed Puppy Kindergarten Program, created to support both you and your pup every step of the way.
Author: Courtney Barnes
*Stop by for a free copy
Puppy Preschool
For puppies 8 weks to 5 months, our Puppy Preschool Program is the perfect start to building confidence, learning basic manners, and developing social skills in a safe, enriching environment. With early training and positive experiences during this key stage, your pup will be set up to grow into a happy, well-adjusted, and well-behaved adult dog.
