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 7:00 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.

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