Program · 6 wk
Puppy Start.
A name that means look at me.
Six weeks while the socialization window is still open: a name your puppy answers to, a sit that holds while you handle feet and ears, and new things met at a distance your puppy can handle.
LENGTH
6 wk
SESSIONS
One 90-min first class, then five 60-min classes
STEPS
6
PRICE
$265
FOR
First puppies, and second puppies in a busy house. Your puppy had a first vaccine at least 7 days before class 1 and has been dewormed.
NOT FOR
Puppies over 16 weeks: book a private session, then join a group class from 5 months (Loose-Leash Walking) or 6 months (Recall & Long Line). House training isn't class time: it comes as a written handout.
AGES
9 to 16 weeks at the first class
The criteria sheet
6 steps.
One D at a time.
01
Name and look
A name that means "look at me", not "you're in trouble".
1 week
DURATION
[1 s eye contact]
DISTANCE
[3 ft]
DISTRACTION
[quiet room]
TO PASS
8 of 10, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts).
CRITERION
Turns and looks at you within 1 s of hearing their name, from 3 ft, in a quiet room or a quiet corner of class.
HOMEWORK
Say the name once, say "yes", treat. 10 reps, 3 times a day. Never use the name to scold. Plus 3 new things a day from the socialization list.
02
Sit on a cue
From following your hand to hearing the word.
1 week
DURATION
[3 s sit]
DISTANCE
[3 ft]
DISTRACTION
[quiet room]
TO PASS
8 of 10, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts).
CRITERION
Sits on the word "sit", with no food in the cue hand, and holds 3 s, from 3 ft, in a quiet room.
HOMEWORK
Say "sit" once, wait 3 s before you help. Reward on the floor between the front feet. 3 sessions a day, 2 minutes each.
03
Sit for handling
Feet, ears and collar, so vet visits and nail trims stay calm.
1–2 weeks
DURATION
[5 s sit while handled]
DISTANCE
[3 ft]
DISTRACTION
[quiet room]
TO PASS
8 of 10, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts).
CRITERION
Holds a sit for 5 s while you touch one foot, one ear and the collar, from 3 ft, in a quiet room.
HOMEWORK
One touch, one treat, on a towel on the floor like a vet table. Stop before your puppy pulls away. Back feet first if front feet are hard.
04
Sit with a step back
The sit holds when you move.
1 week
DURATION
[5 s sit]
DISTANCE
[6 ft]
DISTRACTION
[quiet room]
TO PASS
8 of 10, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts).
CRITERION
Holds a sit for 5 s while you step back to 6 ft and return, in a quiet room.
HOMEWORK
One step back, back in, treat. Then two steps. Go back to one step after any break; don't call your puppy out of the sit.
05
Sit with puppies moving
Holding on while the room gets busy.
1 week
DURATION
[5 s sit]
DISTANCE
[6 ft]
DISTRACTION
[other puppies moving 10 ft away]
TO PASS
8 of 10, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts).
CRITERION
Holds a 5 s sit at 6 ft while other puppies move 10 ft away.
HOMEWORK
Practice with the TV on, then with family walking past. Meet 3 new people this week at your puppy's pace: they toss a treat, they don't reach.
06
Name and sit on the sidewalk
The first two skills, out in the world.
1–2 weeks
DURATION
[5 s sit]
DISTANCE
[6 ft]
DISTRACTION
[sidewalk, people and bikes 20 ft away]
TO PASS
8 of 10, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts).
CRITERION
Answers to the name and holds a 5 s sit at 6 ft on a sidewalk, with people and bikes 20 ft away. This is the graduation step.
HOMEWORK
Two 10-minute sidewalk outings a day, from a spot where your puppy still takes food. If they stop eating, you're too close: move back.
To pass a step: 8 of 10 reps, 2 sessions in a row (a class or a home video counts as a session).
5 of 10 or less: back one step for a session, then try again.
How it runs
What the weeks look like.
SESSIONS
One 90-min first class, then five 60-min classes
CADENCE
Weekly, Thursday evenings. Class 1 runs 90 min, classes 2 to 6 run 60 min. One home video reviewed between classes.
YOU GET
A written summary after each class, with the next step and its numbers
One home video reviewed each week, notes back within 48 h
Homework: three 2-minute sessions a day, plus the week’s socialization list
A house-training and crate handout, and a puppy-proofing checklist
$265
The whole course, six classes. Add a private home visit for $115.
Case files
Dogs on this program.
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