Puppy Head Start
Why Puppy Head Start?
Starting early with puppies can help prevent problems later in life. Plus, it can help make the puppy in front of your easier to live with right now!
Early training and socialization can help puppies:
Learn how to get along with other dogs and not be afraid of people- Get accustomed to handling and restraint—a skill that can help with grooming, vet visits and more.
- Learn to handle a little bit of excitement and stress without falling apart.
- Become well-adjusted canine members of our community
- Get a jump-start on basic life skills such as sit, down, wait, come and more. Prevent fearful and aggressive behaviors that sometimes result from lack of early socialization.
Puppy Head Start Class
Please note: Our regular 6 week puppy classes have all filled for this year. We are offering a special 4 week puppy class starting in November. Please check out our classes page for details.
This is an open enrollment class and new puppies can join each week (or as soon as there is an opening in the class–sign up ahead as puppy class is often filled)!
You can start after your pup’s second set of vaccines or when your vet says your pup is ready. Once you join the class you will continue for 6 consecutive weeks.
Days and Times: Saturday mornings at 9 am; Sunday mornings at 11 am.
Location: Classes meet at Hocus Pocus Park in Scotts Valley. Please note: This is an outside location and rain will cancel the class. If we need to cancel due to rain, a class will be added to the end of your session.
Instructor: Saturday classes are taught by Mardi; Sunday classes are taught by Matthew
Cost: $150 for 6 weeks of puppy classes
For puppies 12 to 18 weeks old when starting the class; all family members welcome
Please note: Puppy class is often filled several weeks in advance. Sign up early! Classes will end in late November for the year and will start back up in January. If you are trying to sign up and can’t get into a puppy class due to it being full, feel free to contact us to get onto a wait list.
Class includes socialization with people and other pups, handling exercises, guarding prevention exercises, and basic training such as sit, name response and more. We do include carefully supervised puppy-to-puppy interactions but we do not do off leash play in this class. The last 10 minutes, when the pups are tired, we will have a Q&A on puppy challenges.
Puppy Head Start Training at Your Home
Private puppy training at your home can help you navigate the important first weeks and months with your new pup. At home training is customized to meet your needs but may include how to socialize your pup before he or she has all of his vaccines, puppy biting, chew training, house and potty training, and more. All family members can be included in at home training, including children.
Rates: First session is $150 for 1 to 1.5 hours; follow ups are $100 per hour
Package of 6 follow up sessions: $540 (a $60 savings)
At Home plus Puppy Class Package—Save $50!
Three at home puppy training sessions plus six week puppy class for $450 (a $50 savings).
To schedule an appointment or to learn more about how I can help you and your puppy: call 831-431-0161 or email mardi@gooddogsantacruz.com.