To register to join classes please contact the hospital front desk at 614-451-4772
Welcome to our innovative exciting Puppy Kindergarten --- a program flexible enough to fit any family schedule! All family members, especially children, are invited to join in. This allows even more puppy and people exposure --- a true win-win situation.
Puppy Kindergarten teaches you how to raise and train your puppy to be a great pet! Capitalizing on the critical socialization period of puppies from 7 to 17 week of age. Safe, positive interaction with many types of people and other puppies contributes to an emotionally sound pet. Through play, puppies learn socially acceptable behavior.
All classes focus on fun, with short obedience practice mixed with puppy playtime and exposure to novel things. The last 15 minutes of each class are devoted to the important topics of puppyhood (house-training, chewing, etc.) and to your questions. At your final class, you are awarded your puppy diploma with a photograph.
PHILOSOPHY
Puppy Kindergarten teaches you how to raise and train your puppy to be a great pet! Puppy Kindergarten sets you up for success (although we do always recommend continued training).
Puppy Kindergarten capitalizes on the critical socialization period of puppies from 7 to 16 week sof age. Safe, positive interaction with many types of people and other puppies contributes to an emotionally sound pet. Through play, puppies learn socially acceptable behavior.
You will learn and start to train:
Natural leadership and communication
Proper timing of rewards and reprimands
Encourage appropriate bite inhibition
Appropriate game
Pass the Puppy (for holding, training, playing)
Basic “etiquette” behaviors
Attention to Me, Respond to Your Name, Sit, Down, Stand, Go to Your Mat, Come, Off (Don’t touch!), Walk on a Leash
Puppy self control around food, doorways, other puppies and people
Elements of responsible dog ownership ---
mental stimulation, social contact, safety, preparedness, health care, toe nail trimming preparation.
BASIC INFORMATION:
To register: Call 451-4772 or stop at the hospital front desk. The $90 fee is required for registration and is nonrefundable. Please read requirements before registering.
After registration:
Rachel Green will contact you within the week by e-mail (by phone if you have no email). She will gather additional information about you and your puppy and provide you with some early class handouts.
Day & Time of Classes:
Most Sunday’s 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Five 75 minute classes
Flexible class format ensures that you start classes soon after registration.
Class times are also posted on the www.nwah.com calendar.
Where: Northwest Animal Hospital main lobby. When the weather allows, a portion of class experience is in the backyard.
Requirements
Age: 7 to 16 weeks, at start of class.
The sooner you sign up ,
the better for your pup!
Vaccinations:
þ Distemper-parvovirus
þ Bordetella
Proof of current vaccination can be faxed to 614-451-8999 or mailed in prior to 1st class.
Vaccinations must be given
by a licensed veterinarian.
No puppy can participate in classes without proof of current vaccination. Keep puppy boosters current.
What to bring to class
þ Puppy, wearing buckle collar
þ Light leash (not a flexi-leash)
þ Some kibble and lots of soft treats in tiny pieces (Biljac® liver treats, thin sliced turkey franks, cheese, diced chicken, etc.)
RACHEL GREEN, CPDT-KA INSTRUCTOR
Rachel prefers to call herself a family coach in dog training, rather than a dog trainer. She wants to reach pups in that critical period -- so pups can be raised to be the best family dog they can be and never become “rescue” dogs. In 2008, Rachel credentialed as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. Details on certification available at www.ccpdt.org
“Dogs are my passion,” Rachel happily proclaims. Rescue work at the Columbus Dog Connection launched her career in dog training. She adopted Raven, a Border Collie mix, and Doolittle, a sporting dog mix. She continues to provide help to foster families adjusting to the special needs of the rescue dog.
A member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), Rachel teaches both dogs and people through positive reinforcement. For those curious about the science behind the training, Rachel uses the time-proven principles of operant conditioning. An understanding of a puppy’s developmental needs underscores the class.
In Puppy Kindergarten, Rachel integrates the ideas and techniques of noted trainers Patricia McConnell, Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, and Terry Ryan, to name a few.
Rachel seeks out advances in canine behavior, with special attention to puppy training. Yearly, she attends a major national conference, choosing between Clicker Expo, the 4-day APDT educational conference, and the Midwest Veterinary Conference.
Rachel’s private business is Woof, Woof: Training In Your Dog’s Language. Contact Rachel at 515-4321 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions or to arrange private coaching.