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 After active play, puppies Emmitt and Corrado nap soundly.
Welcome to our exciting new Puppy Kindergarten --- an innovative program flexible enough to fit any family schedule! All family members are invited to attend.
You begin with your own 30 minute home training visit. Teacher Rachel Green will customize the basics of house-training, crating, socialization, sit, down and come to your puppy’s level. Be warned  You will get homework games to further these skills.
Now you are ready to participate in the four one-hour classes or modules that round out your education, while advancing your puppy’s social skills and basic commands. The modules can be taken in any order, at their allotted times, over an 8 week period.
But, you’re not done! Attend one puppy playgroup, including training games and teacher supervision.
When you complete all your modules and play periods, you and your teacher will have a personalized phone wrap-up discussion. This opportunity reviews what you and your puppy have done and considers what future training is most helpful in furthering your goals.
PHILOSOPHY
Puppy Kindergarten teaches you how to raise and train your puppy --- not just to be an enjoyable companion, but a great pet!.
Puppy Kindergarten capitalizes on the critical socialization period of puppies from 7 to 17 weeks of age. Positive, safe socialization experiences with many types of people and puppies contribute to an emotionally sound pet.
Puppy Kindergarten teaches natural leadership and communication, the proper timing of rewards and reprimands, and basic “etiquette” behaviors --- sit, down, stand, stay, come, off, and trade. This knowledge is essential to establish the positive relationship between you and your pet.
BASIC INFORMATION
To register, call 451-4772 or sign-up at the hospital front desk. Payment of the $90 fee is required at registration and is nonrefundable.
Classes are held in the Northwest Animal Hospital lobby. For nice weather, class is in the backyard.
Class modules are always in progress. You will receive a copy of the current schedule at your home visit. Modules are posted on the www.nwah.com calendar. The hospital will have a listing, as well. Playgroups dates vary, check the calendar.
REQUIREMENTS:
Age: 7 to 17 weeks, at start of class.
Vaccinations for Distemper-parvovirus and Bordetella
Proof of current vaccination can be faxed to 451-8999, mailed in or brought to the second class. No puppy can participate in the class modules or puppy play time without proof of current vaccination. Keep puppy boosters current.
WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS
Puppy, wearing buckle collar
Light leash (not a flexi-leash)
Soft treats in small pieces (Biljac® liver treats, thinly sliced turkey franks, cheese)
Providing the best in training with scheduling that honors the busy lives of the modern family were foremost.
INSTRUCTOR - RACHEL GREEN
Rachel prefers to call herself a family coach in dog training, rather than a dog trainer. Her desire is to reach puppies in that critical period of life … when good training ensures that they will never be a “rescue” dog.
“Dogs are my passion,” Rachel happily proclaims. Rescue work at Columbus Dog Connection was the start of her dog training. Besides adopting one of her fosters, Raven, a Border Collie mix, she provided help to foster families adjusting to the special needs of the rescued dog.
A member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Rachel teaches both dogs and people through positive reinforcement. For those interested in the science behind the training, Rachel uses the principles of operant conditioning. An understanding of a puppy’s developmental needs underscores the class.
Rachel attends the canine behavior seminars at the annual Midwest Veterinary Conference. Most recently, she attended the 2007 Clicker Exposition in Cleveland, with attention to the newest methods in puppy training. Committed to her students, Rachel is completing Pia Silvani’s class, Becoming a Great Dog Training Instructor.
In Puppy Kindergarten, Rachel integrates the ideas and techniques of noted trainers Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, Terry Ryan, and Kathy Sdoa, to name a few.
Rachel launched her own training business, Woof, Woof: Training In Your Dog’s Language.
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