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Introduction to Puppy Training


The overall goal of puppy class is to give your puppy the best possible start in life. The first six months of a puppy's life are the most important months of his entire life. They are critical to his social development and future well-being. This is the age when learning takes place rapidly. Anything your pup experiences now will make a greater impression on him than it ever will again. We need to capitalize on this critically important time and set the right patterns for a well-behaved dog. By seven weeks, your puppy's brain is developed sufficiently to allow him to process what he needs to learn.

Dogs offer us this affinity with the natural world even in an urban habitat. Our companion animals offer us an emotional treasure, an unconditional companionship, and a relationship that can be important to our physical as well as our psychological health. In general, dog walkers are healthier folks than people who don't own dogs. The bond that develops when we nurture, train and care for our dogs can blossom into a powerful interspecies friendship. Puppy class is a great way to begin that journey for both of you. The benefits are life-long.

Attending puppy class will result in your puppy learning that learning is fun. You will learn to establish a very special bond with your puppy. You will learn how to teach your puppy manners using positive reinforcement and how to prevent your pup from displaying annoying behaviors. Your puppy should enjoy the learning process and become confident and curious about life.

There are three main advantages to starting your pup's training at this age:
  • Most puppies are keen to learn at this age, as opposed to the 6 - 12 month old dog who is maturing and right in the middle of the most independent, challenging phase of his life.
  • Young puppies have few established behavior patterns, or 'bad habits' as opposed to the adolescent or adult dog whose misbehaviors must be modified or redirected.
  • Young puppies are a fraction of their adult size and weight (it is certainly much easier to work with an animal that weighs 5-25 pounds than one who weighs 50-100 pounds!).
Expecting to graduate from puppy class with a fully trained dog is not realistic. Rather, you are laying the foundation for a lifetime of training. As your puppy grows and matures, he will be able to tackle more complicated tasks, but for now we encourage you to keep it simple. What you learn in this puppy course will help you on a day-to-day basis, as well as last for the rest of your dog's life.

Why train your baby puppy? Because ...
  • Your puppy is keen to learn now!
  • You will be establishing good behaviors rather than undoing bad behaviors.
  • Your puppy will learn that training is fun.
  • We want you and your puppy to form a strong, rewarding bond.
Developing a Good Relationship >>
Back to Smart Pet Guide to Training
PETsMART Accredited Training Instructors, in addition to their previous experience, receive a minimum of 120 hours of training in a curriculum which includes: Canine Behavior, Learning Theory ("How Dogs Learn"), Problem-Solving, Classroom Management, Equipment, Handling Skills and more. Where possible, hands-on training is completed in partnership with local shelters, using shelter dogs to demonstrate training methods, behavior assessment and handling skills. This enables us to accredit our instructors while contributing to the community, as we help to make these dogs even more adoptable.

Suzanne Hetts Ph.D. is certified as an applied animal behaviorist and co-owner of Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., in Denver, CO.

Terry Ryan is the well-known author of training books such as The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog and The Bark Stops Here.

Pia Silvani is the Director of Pet Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J.

Mary Lee Nitschke, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Linfield College, an Animal Behavior Therapist and the Director of Training for Animal School in Portland, OR.

Trish King is the Director of the Animal Behavior and Training Department at the Marin Humane Society in Marin County, CA.

Pamela J. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified applied animal behaviorist and assistant professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, where she teaches veterinary students courses in Applied Ethology and the Principles of Learning.
Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.