Help your new addition become an integrated part of your family and community by enrolling in South Arundel's Puppy Pre-School.  It is important that your puppy become socialized at a young age with other people and dogs.  A successful relationship requires hard work and starts early; let us foster this most rewarding bond between you and your pet.  Classes meet on four consecutive Tuesdays at 7:15 pm at South Arundel. The cost is $80 for the series and includes a graduation goody bag with valuable coupons for services at South Arundel. Please contact us to enroll your puppy.

If you have any puppy questions for our trainer Sam, please click this link.

Puppy Curriculum

Our series of four one-hour classes covers a variety of different training techniques and commands.  During the four weeks, you and your puppy will learn about and participate in:

Week One

• Lures & Rewards
  
• Name Recognition
  
• Crate & House Training
  
• The "Sit" Command
• Default Behaviors
• Musical Mats
  

Week Two

• Leave It
  
• Chewing & Biting
  
• Socialization
• Choosing the Right Collar
• Walking Exercises
• The "Come" Command
• Hide-n-Seek
  

Week Three

• Home Sweet Home
  
• Children & Puppies
  
• The "Down" Command
  
• Jumping
• The "Stay" Command
• Barking
• The Cookie Trick

Week Four

• The "Shake" Command
• Rollover
• Gentling
• Health Concerns
• Teeth Brushing Demonstration
• Hospital Tour
• Simon Says
  

Requirements

All participating puppies must have received a Bordetella vaccine at least 10 days prior to the first class session. 

                                                        

We encourage all of our Puppy Pre-School graduates to continue their education by enrolling in South Arundel's Dog Obedience Classes.  This series of six one hour-long classes is taught by Margaret Dowsett, a dog obedience instructor with over three decades of experience. Each series of classes includes positive, reward-based methods to improve your dog's every day behavior and prepare for advanced training. With a maximum of eight dogs per class, individual attention is assured.

Class sessions are held throughout the year at the Mayo Community Hall on six consecutive Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.  Participating pets must be at least 16 weeks of age and be current on Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella vaccinations.  Class size is limited - contact us to enroll your pet today!

Classes two through six  will begin with a review of the prior week's instruction and homework.

Week One

• Principles & Basic Concepts of Reward-based Training
• Watch Me! command
• Sit - default behaviors
• Stay or Wait command
• Down command
• Stress Signals
• Manners

Week Two

• Down/Stay command
• Touch! command
• Walking on a loose lead
• Games: Watch Me! Beat the Clock!
• Canine Good Citizen Handling & the Collar Grab

Week Three