Puppy Kindergarten Class
A group class for puppies who are at least 8 weeks old and no older than 16 weeks of age.
During this group class, we will talk about tips for navigating puppyhood, everything from teething to potty training, what socialization means, and how to help ensure your puppy starts their life on the right paw.
Puppies do not need to be fully vaccinated to join this class and they do not need their rabies vaccination. This course is intentionally designed for puppies have had at least the first of their three rounds of vaccinations.
What Is Puppy Class?
Puppy Class at Airdrie Puppy Pals brings together everything your puppy needs during their early learning window and saves you the time from Googling and sorting through all the information that’s available online.
Each group class is led by Nikki Nordick, owner of Airdrie Puppy Pals and one of a small number of trainers in Canada holding multiple certifications, including the CBCC-KA and CDBC, with hundreds of continuing education hours in animal behavior. You'll learn how to support your puppy at home while they build confidence and practice age-appropriate social skills in a indoor environment.
What do they learn in class?
During these group classes, puppies learn and practice skills like name recognition, handling skills, practice coming when called, walking on a leash, and much more.
They build confidence through activities intentionally designed for puppies who are 8 to 16 weeks old, including off-leash group running, sniffing, and playing.
The only requirement for this course is age, which means there is always a mix of dogs of all sizes and breeds. We check vaccinations at the start of the first class and structure group play to help ensure all puppies have a positive experience.
When Can Puppies Start?
Your puppy can join class as long as they are at least 8 weeks old and have had their first of three rounds of vaccines.
Why Early Socialization Matters
What about puppy class before they are fully vaccinated with their rabies vaccine?
There's a lot of information out there about the risks versus rewards of early socialization before a puppy has received their rabies vaccine.
With an intentional approach, early socialization can help prevent fear, anxiety, and behavior challenges later in life. That's why we follow guidelines from leading veterinary organizations, including the AVSAB, AVMA, and CVMA, to keep classes clean and safe while your puppy learns essential skills, plays with puppies their own age, and builds confidence in a supportive environment.
We have proudly been offering Puppy Class for over a decade, helping puppy parents build strong relationships with their dogs from the very beginning. We believe the benefits of early socialization outweigh the risks when classes are thoughtfully managed, and we encourage you to do your own research before deciding if Puppy Class is the right option for you and your family.
What to Bring to Puppy Class
A normal collar that isn’t a prong or choke chain. Your Jr Puppy is welcome to wear a harness as well. Fixed length leashes (not the extendible kind) and a variety of treats your Jr Puppy will love!
How many people can join?
You are welcome to have at most two people join each Puppy Class (and it doesn’t have to be the same people each class!) At least one of the two people has to be over 18 years of age.