Want to set your new puppy up for success by building foundations and addressing common problems?
Enrolling in puppy classes has so many great benefits like socialization, learning important skills, and helping you raise a confident dog.
Every Dog provides group training classes, private training, and day school for puppies at two convenient locations in Austin. Our puppy classes for both North and South locations are listed below.
We know we’re biased, but we think our experienced trainers, affordable rates, and fun classes make for some of the best puppy classes in Austin!
Puppy Training Classes
Group puppy training and socialization classes can help you and your new puppy with…
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Socialization to other puppies, people, sounds, new objects, and veterinary care
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Potty training
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Preventing destructive chewing and puppy biting
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Skills like sit, down, leave it, drop it, place, wait, etc.
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How to walk on a leash
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Coming when called
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Knowing how much enrichment, exercise, training, etc your puppy needs, and how to do all of that without feeling overwhelmed!
*NOTE: We recommend that puppies start in Kindergarten class as soon as they're 1 week past their first round of vaccinations. Please do not wait until they are "fully vaccinated”! More Info on socializing your puppy before they are fully vaccinated.
Sign Up for Puppy Socialization Classes
Not sure where to start?
Need some financial assistance? No problem!
We took Nova to Puppy Kindergarten and loved our teacher so much that we have now signed up for First Grade.
The classes are small to allow the puppies to not be overwhelmed and they work with you even if you have the yappy puppy.
They work from your level and help you stay accountable and always cheerful with your puppy.
Excited to start first grade in a few weeks!
-Shana D
Puppy Day School
Looking for a day training option? We've got you covered! Each week we offer a half-day program for puppies up to 6 months old. You drop your pup off in the morning for 4 hours of training, playtime, and socialization from our instructors. Learn more about Day School
Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Training and Socialization Classes
When should I start my puppy in training and socialization classes?
As soon as possible, around 8 weeks if able! Puppies go through a critical socialization period until about 12 weeks, so it's essential to get them into safe, appropriate socialization opportunities asap. Puppies do NOT need to be fully vaccinated to attend classes. They should have received at least their first round of vaccinations, 7 days prior to class. To learn more about these policies, check out the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists guidelines on Puppy Socialization
What will my puppy learn in class?
A lot of puppy class focuses on socialization. This can include meeting other puppies and people, but also means exploring new objects, textures, and sounds. We also focus a lot on things like handling for nail trims and vet visits- things that can become problems later in life if we're not careful!
Puppy classes will also cover skills like Sit, Down, Place, Leave It, Drop It, Leash Walking, Recalls, Stay, and Wait.
Which class is right for my puppy?
Puppies 8-14 weeks should sign up for Kindergarten, and older puppies (around 4-5 months) should go into First Grade. Puppies 6 months or older can go into Basic Manners class for adults! Puppy agility is for puppies who have already been through at least one full class (with us or elsewhere) and can reliably sit, down, stay, etc.
*Note: we may make exceptions based on the sizes or temperament of puppies. A small or shy puppy may go into Kindergarten even if they're a bit older, and a large, boisterous puppy may do better in First Grade even at 14 weeks.
Is my puppy guaranteed to play with other puppies during class?
Nope! Puppy play groups only happen in our Kindergarten class, not in First Grade. Once puppies get above 14 weeks old, their sizes and energy levels vary a ton: which makes managing play groups much more challenging! To make sure everyone has a good time, we limit play time to Kindergarten.
Even within Kindergarten, not all puppies may play each class. This might be due to size, play style, energy level, or shyness. Some puppies don't feel ready to play until their second or third session, and some puppies may not have a good personality match in a certain session. We always err on the side of caution and finding the right matches!
What are the benefits of a puppy training and socialization class?
Great question! Classes are an excellent opportunity for socialization when puppy brains are soaking up the world like a sponge. They get to meet other puppies and people, explore new environments and objects, and learn that these things are all FUN.
Classes are a great and affordable training option to learn a variety of basic obedience (what we call manners) skills to help them in our human world: like drop it, leave it, coming when called, and walking on a leash. Puppy classes also go over a lot of common puppy topics like potty training, how to get your puppy to stop biting, etc.
Puppy training and socialization classes are a great way to meet other puppy parents! It's also a wonderful way to get started on the right foot and set your puppy up for success with skilled help right away. That way if you need help with behavior issues later in life, you already have some support and some ideas.
How do you make classes safe for puppies?
We're careful to ensure that our already-strong cleaning protocols are especially solid for puppies with their vulnerable immune systems. Our puppy classes are scheduled to allow for cleaning beforehand, and we require up-to-date vaccinations for adult dogs attending classes to limit the risk of disease transmission.
Can I do private training for my puppy, too?
Absolutely! Puppy classes are a great way to work on basic skills around lots of fun distractions. But if you need help with counter surfing, walking on leash in your neighborhood, mouthing/biting, crate training, or other normal puppy training needs, set up a private training!
What are Puppy classes in Austin, Texas?
Puppy training classes provide an excellent opportunity for pet owners to bond with their new furry family members while teaching them valuable skills and behaviors. These classes offer a structured learning environment where puppies can develop socialization skills, learn basic cues/commands, and receive guidance on proper behavior from professional trainers.
Benefits of Puppy Training Classes
Puppies who attend training classes are more likely to become well-behaved, happy dogs, making them a joy to have at home. These classes also provide an excellent opportunity for puppies to interact with other puppies and people, helping them to develop socialization skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Moreover, puppy training classes can help prevent future behavior problems like aggression or anxiety through appropriate socialization.
What to Expect in Puppy Training Classes
In a typical puppy training class, puppies will learn some very basic skills such as "sit," "come," and learning their name. They will also be taught leash manners, proper greeting behavior, and how to interact with other dogs and people. Owners will also receive guidance on how to continue training at home and address any specific behavioral issues their puppy may have. Puppy classes will also focus heavily on socialization, teaching puppies how to feel safe in the world around them.
Finding the Right Puppy Training Class
Our puppy training classes use positive reinforcement techniques rather than aversive methods. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behaviors with treats or praise, while aversive methods use punishment or correction to discourage unwanted behaviors. Our classes also have qualified and experienced trainers who are knowledgeable about puppy behavior and training techniques.
Puppy training classes offer numerous benefits for both puppies and their owners. They provide a fun and interactive learning environment for puppies to develop important skills and behaviors, while also helping owners establish a strong bond with their new pets. By finding the right class and using positive reinforcement techniques, puppies can become well-behaved and socialized dogs that bring joy to their families for years to come.