Puppy Preschool
PUPPY PRESCHOOL
PUPPY PRESCHOOL
Where Great Dogs Get Their Start.
* Age: 8 weeks to 5 months
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
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.
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
