Created for dogs under 5 months old.
Five Week Course (1-hour classes)
Multiple Classes Offered
$195
Before bad habits start, it is vital to begin training and socialization during early stages of puppyhood.
Puppies absorb information at an exponential rate, making training much easier and more productive.
Your puppy will still continue to learn rapidly throughout their juvenile period, up to around 6 months old.
Puppy Training starts your puppy’s life out on the right paw by forming good lifelong habits.
This class focuses on a solid foundation of socialization, communication skills, behavior modification and working on self-control.
By building a confident, brave and happy dog, you can prevent future unwanted aggressive behaviors before they start.
Please do NOT bring your puppy to the first night of class.
The first night of of Puppy Training Class is an orientation just for the paw’rents!
Please bring your puppy all following weeks, 2 through 5.
Bark-A-Bout’s Intermediate Training Class is the next class following graduation of this Puppy Training Class.
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ENROLL IN A PUPPY TRAINING CLASS TODAY!
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Puppy Training FAQ’s
Our Training Paw'losophy and Methods
Bark-A-Bout takes pride in training YOU, the real trainer.
We arm you with effective skills and knowledge that you can use outside of training sessions to elicit good behavior and mitigate future problems.
Our Certified Training Instructor, Wendy uses positive reinforcement and rewards-based training methods.
You will gain your dog’s full cooperation without physical pain, force, fear or intimidation.
Rewards-based training is proven to be the the fastest and most effective training method:
– Positive and fun
– Increases communication
– Builds mutual trust
– Respects your dog’s emotions
– Decreases negative behaviors
What concepts do Puppy Training Classes cover?
Our Certified Training Instructor, Wendy MacKenzie specializes in teaching you how puppies learn and socialize. Our goal is to build a well-rounded, brave and confident dog.
Bark-A-Bout’s Puppy Training Class provides a safe, enjoyable learning environment that will help set the foundation for a wonderful life ahead for you and your new puppy.
Throughout this 5-week course you and your dog will learn:
– How to overcome common puppyhood challenges
– Dog communication through body language
– Using “cues” to communicate: (Sit, Down, Come, Off, Drop it, Trade, Let’s go (Walk nice), Watch, Ok).
– Manners: Greetings, Walking on leash, Waiting for doors and Bowls
– Proper and early socialization
– Prevent future unwanted behaviors and aggressions from forming
– Build a confident, happy dog with self-control
– Mental enrichment & physical exercise techniques for a well-behaved, content dog
Bark-A-Bout’s Intermediate Training Class is the next class following graduation of this Puppy Training Class.
5-Week Itinerary
Please do NOT bring your puppy to the first night of class.
The first night of of Puppy Training Class is an orientation for just the paw’rents!
Please bring your puppy all following weeks, 2 through 5.
Bark-A-Bout’s Intermediate Training Class is the next class following graduation of this Puppy Training Class.
PUPPY TRAINING 5-WEEK CLASS ITINERARY:
WRITTEN HANDOUTS:
7-Page Owner’s Manual, Behavior Handouts and Weekly Homework handouts
LEARN HOW DOGS COMMUNICATE:
How dogs think, learn and communicate. Learn how to train and teach your dog in a way that they can understand so that you can raise a well behaved, social family dog.
PETCARE TIPS:
Crating, nutrition, housetraining, socialization and more.
BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS:
We can not “fix” existing fear, anxiety or aggression an in class. However, we discuss techniques to help prevent fear, anxiety and aggression.
We can modify some typical “dog behaviors” such as: nipping, jumping, attention seeking, chewing/destruction, counter surfing, door darting and barking.
LEARN TRAINING CUES:
Watch Me, Sit, Wait, OK, Down, Off, Drop it, Trade, Come, Let’s go (leash skills).
WHEN TO SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG:
Learn how and when to properly socialize your dog. Socialize with other dog owners and puppies in class.
MANNERS:
Walking politely on leash, greeting people politely, waiting for doors and food bowls.
How do I register my dog for a Puppy Training Class?
PLEASE CLICK ON AN AVAILABLE CLASS LISTED ABOVE. A pop-up will appear with directions. Please create a Customer Portal if your dog does not already have one, and be sure to sign all waivers in the portal. Once you have created a Portal for your dog and signed the waivers, please call up Bark-A-Bout to give FULL PAYMENT for your Obedience Class. A Bark-A-Bout receptionist will be happy to help you and complete your payment transaction.
NON-NEGOTIABLE REFUND POLICY: Full payment is due at the time of class registration. In following social distancing guidelines, limited student count is required. Due to tight restrictions on class size, full refunds will only be issued for cancellations made more than 24 hours prior to the start of class. For cancellations made within the 24-hour window prior to the start of class, $60 will be deducted from your refund. Once class starts, no refunds will be issued.
About Bark-A-Bout's Trainer, Wendy MacKenzie, CPDT-KA
Wendy MacKenzie
Proudly uses ONLY positive, rewards-based training methods.
Wendy believes all pets should enjoy the training process. This will lead to a happier, more confident and well-adjusted pet.
Wendy’s Accreditations & Certifications:
– Dog Obedience Trainer (20+ years)
– Educated 4,000+ dogs/owners of all breeds/ages, including blind, deaf and special-needs dogs.
– Association of Pet Dog Trainers – CPDT-KA Certified
– Pet Professionals Guild Member (Fear-free, Pain-free, Force-free group)
– American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (AKC/CGC)
– AKC Fit Dog Certified Instructor
– Owned her own Obedience Training facility (3 years)
– Learned about dogs internally as a Veterinarian Surgical Assistant. (3 years)
What vaccinations are required for my puppy?
To ensure the safety of all dogs participating in class, each dog is required to be vaccinated for the vaccines listed below. To ensure your dog has met all vaccination requirements, we require you to submit all vaccine documentation prior to the start of class by either uploading them to your dog’s Customer Portal, emailing them to medical@barkabout.net, or faxing them to (586)685-7040. Please include your pet’s full name and your contact information.
Required:
In addition to following your veterinarian’s age-appropriate vaccine protocol, Bark-A-Bout requires your puppy to have received:
— Bordetella Vaccination (Click here for non-negotiable waiting period requirements)
— A fecal screening showing “negative” test results
How old does my puppy have to be to enjoy a Puppy Training Class?
Puppy Training Classes are tailored to puppies 8 weeks to 5 months old. It is beneficial to start your puppy out on the right paw by enrolling them into training classes before they form negative behavioral habits. Regarding vaccinations, puppies are ready as soon as they’ve had a Bordetella vaccine and a Fecal test with negative results. This could be as early as 8-10 weeks! Puppy class is open to dogs under 5 months old, but some exceptions may apply. Bark-A-Bout’s Intermediate Training Class is the next class following graduation of this Puppy Training Class. If you have questions as to whether puppy class is right for you and your pup, please call us at (586)566-8900 and a fur’endly receptionist will answer any questions you may have.
Reminder: Please do NOT bring your puppy to the first night of class.
The first night of of Puppy Training Class is an orientation for just the paw’rents!
Please bring your puppy all following weeks, 2 through 5.
What do I bring to class?
Please do NOT bring your puppy to the first night of class.
The first night of Puppy Training Class is an orientation for just the paw’rents!
Please bring your puppy all following weeks, 2 through 5.
1.) PROOF OF PURCHASE OF CLASS:
If you have a receipt or print-out of your proof of purchase of the class, please bring it with you to class.
2.) AGE-APPROPRIATE VACCINATION RECORDS:
PUPPIES UNDER 6 MONTHS: To ensure the safety of all dogs participating in class, each dog is required to be vaccinated for the vaccines listed below. To ensure your dog has met all vaccination requirements, we require you to submit all vaccine documentation prior to the start of class by either uploading them to your dog’s “Customer Portal“, emailing them to medical@barkabout.net, or faxing them to (586)685-7040. Please include your pet’s full name and your contact information.
Required:
— Bordetella (Click here for non-negotiable waiting period requirements)
— DHLPP (Puppies are required to have a minimum of 2 in the series before beginning class)
— A negative Fecal Screening
— 2 Influenza bivalent vaccines
3.) 5-6 FOOT REGULAR LEASH
Please bring your dog to class on a REGULAR 5-6′ leash. No retractable leashes or choke/prong collars permitted.
4.) TRAINING BAG FULL OF SOFT CHEWABLE TREATS:
We ask that you have a fanny-pack style training bag and tiny soft treats. (1/4 pea size of soft, stinky, high value treats such as chicken, turkey or soft doggy treats.
5.) A FEW “BUSY ITEMS”
A bully stick, lick mat and/or a stuffed Kong or chew toy is also helpful to keep your dog settled and occupied.
**Bark-A-Bout sells leashes, fanny-pack style treat bags, and a wide selection of chewable treats and incentive toys in our Pet Boutique for your convenience.
6.) SMALL TOWEL OR BLANKET
Can more than one person come to class with the dog?
We require one person from your family to handle your dog during class time, but highly encourage all family members who are appropriate age to attend/observe.
What happens if I've already started taking a class, and now I need to be absent for a week?
Class duration is kept short to accommodate busy schedules. Please plan accordingly as we build on behaviors and skills each week. Meanwhile, please speak to Bark-A-Bout’s Obedience Trainer to discuss your absence.
What is your return policy if I want to cancel my registration?
NON-NEGOTIABLE REFUND POLICY: Full payment is due at the time of class registration. In following social distancing guidelines, limited student count is required. Due to tight restrictions on class size, full refunds will only be issued for cancellations made more than 24 hours prior to the start of class. For cancellations made within the 24-hour window prior to the start of class, $60 will be deducted from your refund. Once class starts, no refunds will be issued.
What are your Social Distancing Guidelines?
To minimize possible exposure to Covid-19, Bark-A-Bout strictly adheres to all CDC Guidelines regarding social distancing and mask mandates. As of May 15, 2021, masks are not required of vaccinated individuals. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Please visit here for further details.