Teach Your Dog Some Class In Puppy Kindergarten

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic
If you want your dog to be a classy canine, sign her up for puppy kindergarten classes.


Being a puppy isn’t all fun and games. At this point in your dog’s life, she is at her most suggestible, which means it’s the perfect time to start puppy kindergarten, which teaches training obedience, socialization skills and doggy manners. It’s also a wonderful way for you and your new puppy to bond and as a way to establish yourself as the Alpha in your household.


If you don’t have much experience with dogs, you’ll get as much out of puppy kindergarten as your dog. You’ll learn all about puppy behavior, handling skills and housetraining basics. We’ve put together a list of why your dog should enroll in puppy kindergarten classes.


  • This is a chance for you pup to get used to events outside of the home and learn valuable lessons from well-behaved dogs.
  • Everybody needs a night out. Think of it as date night for you and your puppy. A puppy kindergarten class is a great excuse to get out of the house, meet new people and dogs, and work with a skilled instructor.
  • Instill a love of learning that will follow your puppy around for life. If you want your old dog to be able to learn new tricks, it’s easier if she’s attended puppy kindergarten classes. You’ll be surprised how much your dog can learn… as long as you start the process early.
  • You’re developing a strong working relationship with your puppy. This is especially important once you start introducing her to other social environments and advanced training classes.
  • Fearful dogs are taught to overcome this issue and learn to be social around other dogs. These fearful dogs have problems with their confidence that can result in aggression. Puppy kindergarten nips that issue in the bud and allows your dog to blossom in a structured environment.
  • The opportunity to be socialized with different breeds. The earlier you expose your puppy to new dogs, the better. In puppy kindergarten, your dog will learn the right way to play with other dogs. As well, they will also learn how to socialize with other people.
  • If something goes wrong, a skilled instructor is on hand to correct the dogs and tell the pet parents why it happened and how to control the issue if it happens again. This is a great chance to pick the instructor’s brain regarding puppy issues and how you should handle them.
  • Mastering the basic obedience commands. Just a few of the topics that can be covered include the sit and stay commands, and learning how to walk on a leash. It’s a great foundation for advanced training techniques.


Keep in mind that all puppies are different, so they will learn and pick up skills at their own pace. Be positive and firm, offer plenty of rewards and effective and be consistent. You’ll see the rewards as your puppy grows into a well-adjusted dog.

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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