Puppy Training

Congratulations on your new puppy!

GOOD DAWG TRAINING IS THE ONLY SERVICE PROVIDER OF THIS COMPREHENSIVE PUPPY COURSE NORTH OF THE BAY AREA.

Puppy training is an exciting milestone that requires preparation, patience, and consistency. To set both of you up for success, we focus on puppy-proofing your home, establishing a routine, using positive reinforcement training, and socializing your pup safely.

While puppies don’t come with a manual, we have the chance to shape their behavior. You’ll learn effective ways to manage biting, crate training, potty training, socialization, car rides, handling, and know why they're stealing your precious belongings. Each interaction teaches your puppy, so let’s make these important early months meaningful.

Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning.

Experiences during this time set the stage for the rest of your puppy's life.

Puppies should be no older than 4.5 months (18 weeks) at the start of this course.

For dogs older than 5 months, please book an assessment.

Purchase Private Puppy training

Puppy Training

Puppy Start Right - Private

8 x 30 min sessions
Once a week, flexible days & times
4 x Puppy Yappy Hours included (worth $80)

$600

purchase private puppy training

Puppy Yappy Hour

Puppy Start Right - Private

Meet-ups where your puppy can develop their social skills in a safe and supervised setting. Puppy Yappy Hour is designed to build confidence. Some pups have little to no other opportunities to interact with other pups/dogs and need Puppy Yappy Hour more than others. Right of admission is reserved.

For ages 8 - 18 weeks

(2 - 4.5 months).

For ages 8 - 18 weeks

(2 - 4.5 months).

Please NOTE:

Toy & Small Breeds Only on Wednesdays

Medium to Large Breeds Only on Thursdays

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booking

Puppy Start Right - Private Training

We address the following:

Confidence-building life skills: Positive socialization, exposure to novel objects, new sounds, veterinary and home-care handling.

Foundation training skills: Eye contact, name recognition, come, collar & harness wearing, recall, sit, touch, and down.

Behavior Topics: Potty training, car sickness, crate training, digging, counter-surfing, jumping, barking, nipping, separation anxiety, and mouthing.

Puppies should preferably be younger than 16 weeks at the beginning

of this course, as it runs for 8 weeks.

Duration - 30 minutes
Frequency - once per week for 8 consecutive weeks
Cost - $600, includes 4 x Yappy Hours while enrolled in this course (worth $80).
Dog Age Range - 7 weeks to 16 weeks (4 months) old
Experience level - Beginner
Prerequisite Training - None
Vaccinations: Proof of at least one distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days before the class start date. Proof of current bordetella vaccination. Proof of vaccinations must be uploaded with the Dog Behavior & History Form on the Booking page (Step 1).
What to Bring - a puppy leash, flat collar or harness. A healthy pup! We kindly ask that unwell puppies or those showing signs of illness stay home until they are healthy enough to join the fun. Treats: puppy kibble or slightly higher value treats. Please see a Training Treat Guide. Treat pouch to wear, like a fanny pack. I do sell clickers.
How many people can attend? - Everyone in your household is urged to attend.

4 x free Puppy Yappy Hours are included in this course. Right of admission is reserved.

Please NOTE:

Toy & Small Breeds Only on Wednesday 6:15 - 7pm - click to a see video preview

Medium to Large Breeds Only on Thursday 6:15 - 7pm - click to a see video preview

PURCHASE private puppy training

Your puppy is not too young for training

Puppies can be socialized & begin training while they're undergoing their vaccinations

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) statement: “In general, puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up to date on all vaccines throughout the class.”

The American Kennel Club statement: "It used to be that trainers and veterinarians recommended that puppies begin training classes as soon as they were old enough to have all of their vaccines and boosters. What this meant was that some puppies didn't get to class until they already had behavioral issues and were headed down the path to a problem that started in the Critical Period of Socialization or Fear period. As a result, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal behaviorists and many trainers now recommend that puppies (who do not have health problems) begin classes as early as 7-8 weeks".

Puppy Yappy Hour

Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning

Short, supervised, positive, and safe play sessions help young puppies develop essential socialization skills and independence, while also allowing them to burn off excess energy. Puppy parents must be present, as it's an opportunity to learn about puppy behavior. Preference is given to puppies that are very shy or scared and need extra support. Right of admission is reserved.

If your pup/dog is older than 5 months, please contact us as we do allow older, fearful dogs into Puppy Yappy Hour on a case-by-case basis. A free assessment is required.

Puppy Yappy Hour

Short, supervised, positive, and safe play sessions in small managed groups to help young puppies develop essential socialization skills and independence, while also allowing them to burn off excess energy. Puppy parents must be present, as it's an opportunity to learn about puppy behavior. Preference is given to puppies that are very shy or scared and need extra support. Right of admission is reserved.

Please NOTE:

Toy & Small Breeds Only on Wednesdays

Medium to Large Breeds Only on Thursdays

**All puppies not enrolled in Puppy Start Right or Private Puppy Training with Good Dawg must provide proof of vaccinations to join Puppy Yappy Hour.

Yappy Hour Duration -45 min
Yappy Hour Frequency - See Schedule on Booking Page
Cost - $20
Puppy Age Range - 8 weeks - 18 weeks (4.5 months) If your pup is older than 5 months, please contact us as we do allow older, fearful dogs into Puppy Yappy Hour on a case-by-case basic. A free assessment is required.
Experience level - Beginner
Prerequisite Training - None**
Vaccinations: Proof of at least one distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days before Yappy Hour. Proof of current rabies vaccination if the puppy is over four months. Proof of current bordetella vaccination. Proof of vaccinations must be uploaded with the Dog Behavior & History Form on the Booking page (Step 1).
What to Bring A healthy pup! We kindly ask that unwell puppies or those showing signs of illness stay home until they are healthy enough to join the fun.
How many people can attend? - 2 adults or 1 adult and a child over 12 years old.

Book Yappy Hour

Frequently Asked Questions

Please email training@good-dawg.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What age should I start training my puppy?

Puppies can start training as early as 7 weeks old. It's important to begin early as it builds confidence, attention span, self-control, pup-human relationship and provides enrichment.

Do you offer private training?

Yes, we only offer private puppy training at our facility. Private training yields best results.

What methods do you use for behavior modification?

We mainly focus on the reinforcement (strengthening) of wanted behaviors. We do not use force or fear in our training.

Do owners attend Yappy Hour?

Absolutely! Puppy parents must be present as it's an opportunity to learn about puppy behavior. Puppy Yappy Hour is 45 minutes long.

Are Vaccinations required?

YES, the first round of DHPP (Parvo) and Bordetella are required to be uploaded to your customer portal before attending any puppy activity. These vaccinations help build your puppy's immune system and protect against kennel cough, and other contagious illnesses. If your puppy exhibits any symptoms we kindly ask you to keep them home!

My breeder/ vet told me to keep my puppy home during the vaccination period. How safe is my puppy at Good Dawg Training?

Many dogs develop severe behavioral challenges due to a lack of early training and socialization. This often results in anxious, fearful dogs that become difficult to handle. Sadly they end up in shelters.

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) statement: “In general, puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days before the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on all vaccines throughout the class.”

All puppies and dogs at Good Dawg Training are required to be vaccinated. Dogs exhibiting any signs of illness are asked to stay home and will not be allowed in. The facility is cleaned with a veterinary-approved sanitizer known to kill parvo, amongst other diseases.

private dog training private puppy training

Certified to instruct Puppy Start Right

Congratulations on your new puppy!

Puppy Training

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Yappy Hour

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private Training

The Benefits of Private Puppy Training vs Group Puppy Training

Puppy Start Right - preparation and planning resources

Your puppy is not too young for training

Puppies can be socialized & begin training while they're undergoing their vaccinations

Puppy Yappy Hour

Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning

Puppy Yappy Hour

Frequently Asked Questions

Myth vs Fact of Early Puppy Socialzation

private dog training private puppy training

Certified to instruct Puppy Start Right

Congratulations on your new puppy!

Puppy Training

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Yappy Hour

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private

Puppy Start Right - Private Training

The Benefits of Private Puppy Training vs Group Puppy Training

Puppy Start Right - preparation and planning resources

Your puppy is not too young for training

Puppies can be socialized & begin training while they're undergoing their vaccinations

Puppy Yappy Hour

Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning

Puppy Yappy Hour

Frequently Asked Questions

Myth vs Fact of Early Puppy Socialzation

Who wants a Cookie?