Bringing a puppy home is exciting… and also a little overwhelming! Many new puppy owners start searching for guidance right away, often landing on a local “puppy kindergarten” class. But: can a weekly puppy training class really prepare your puppy for life?

The Limits of a Puppy Kindergarten Class

A typical puppy training class looks like this:

• 4 to 8 families, each with their puppy
• One instructor
• One hour each week

Do the math, and that’s maybe 10 minutes of coaching per puppy, assuming an equal split. In most cases, your instructor has a set curriculum they want to cover. 

Here’s what that means in reality:

• Will they have enough time to show you how to stop your puppy from ruining your rug?
• Can they guide you through integrating your puppy with your kids or your other pets?
• Or help with separation anxiety when your pup cries every time you leave the house?
• What about how to handle your puppy raiding the trash can or pulling books off the shelf?

Not likely. Your puppy’s needs may not fit into the one-hour, one-size-fits-all model.

Puppies are complex and each family is unique! Raising a puppy into a calm, well-mannered dog rarely happens by accident. In our experience, it takes consistency, practice, and a good plan.

A Different Approach: Puppy Day School

This is why we haven’t offered a “puppy kindergarten” class for over a decade. A weekly puppy training class barely scratches the surface of all the things new puppy owners need help with.

Instead, in 2014 we created Puppy Day School: a complete training and socialization program built for busy families and growing puppies.

Puppy Day School includes…

• Immersive Training & Socialization: Your puppy spends the day with our expert team, participating in curated playgroups, focused training sessions, potty breaks, nap time, and structured socialization. This isn’t a “play all day” dog daycare. Instead, each interaction is designed with training outcomes in mind.
• Faster Progress: Because your puppy learns from us all day long, progress comes quickly. You’ll see real improvements in everyday behavior almost immediately.
• Personalized Coaching: Each week, you’ll meet with us for a private 30-minute Puppy Teacher Conference, dedicated solely to your puppy (no sharing time with other families!) You get answers tailored to your struggles, whether it’s crate training, nipping, or polite leash walking.
• Classes for Extra Support: Our weekday and weekend Flex Classes let you go deeper into topics that matter most to you. From leash skills to polite greetings, you choose what fits your priorities and schedule.

Why It Works

Puppy training classes try to serve everyone with the same program, and expect you to figure out every aspect of puppy raising beyond what is covered in the curriculum. Puppy Day School is built around guiding your puppy and your family.

The difference is night and day: instead of guessing, struggling, or leaving with more questions than answers, you’ll have a clear plan and a well-supported puppy every step of the way.

Take the Guesswork Out of Puppy Training

Your puppy will only be young once. What you do with them now is the foundation for the next 10 to 15 years you’ll spend together.

Puppy kindergarten might be all you need! But if you prefer a program that gives your puppy daily structure, expert training, plenty of socialization, and gives you the personalized support you need, then Puppy Day School is the better path.

Give your puppy the best possible start and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a comprehensive puppy program. Enroll in Puppy Day School today and breathe a sigh of relief.