P.U.P.S Philosophy on
Puppy Kindergartens
At P.U.P.S we have one constant underlying goal and philosophy that is the cornerstone of all
our programs, that being “always set the dog up for success.” Well, that holds true for our
philosophy on puppies 9-18 weeks old, puppy kindergartens and puppy daycares.
P.U.P.S does not believe in ANY sort of group puppy kindergarten or puppy daycare or dog
parks for a battery of reasons:
1. We want the puppies to have all their immunizations and have a mature enough immune
system to be around other puppies.
2. We do not believe in allowing puppies to be turned loose to play in an adrenaline filled,
unbridled manner with more than one other puppy at a time. When there are more than 2
puppies, chances are very high that the submissive pups are being over dominated by one or
more dominant puppies and there is a great possibility of the submissive pup becoming fear
aggressive later in life towards other dogs (we get them all the time because aggression and
fear aggression is an area of expertise for us) and the overly dominant pups are not benefiting
by being overly dominant either. We believe in socialization, of course, but in a controlled
manner whereby each pup is having a positive experience. We firmly believe that one on one
socialization is the best scenario for any pup where they are playing with ONE other pup of
similar size and similar energy level and each pup is having a positive experience which would
mean that both pups are comfortable in alternating dominant and submissive play stances
with each other.
3. Many times in the kindergarten classes, when there are more than 2 pups and one gets
overly dominant, the trainers will spray the dominant pup with a spray bottle of water, but,
sadly, since the dominant pup is standing over the submissive pup that is on his/her back, the
submissive pup is getting the spray too which exacerbates the puppy’s already bad
experience and may even effect his/her perception of people. In essence they are getting
corrected for nothing which causes additional stress!
4. We don't feel that more than two pups running around slamming into each other does ANY
good at all to the emerging and somewhat fragile orthopedic structure of the puppies. To
have puppies running into each other from all different angles or to big puppies jumping on
small puppies, or to have more than one puppy jumping on a puppy can result in injury and/or
cause permanent problems with the development of the hips, knees or elbows.
5. We also believe your pup should be able to be attentive to you while doing the puppy
classes. With other pups and people, it can be too stimulating and distracting and not
conducive to learning to interact with you or the lesson at hand.
6. The day care environment can also greatly hinder the puppy’s housebreaking progress at
home. Again, from the puppy’s perspective, if stopping in the middle of play and peeing or
pooping is okay all day inside a facility, then why not do the same at home?
7. Lastly, regarding daycares. Running around all day with other puppies can wreak havoc on
the puppy’s understanding of what is expected of him/her when at home with humans. It
can make it harder for the puppy to calm down around humans and learn how to be channeled
into the home environment. After all, from a puppy’s perspective, if running and biting and
jumping is okay all day long, then why not when they get home? If by chance they are not
running around, but, rather lying around bored, then, we’d prefer they be lying around bored
in a crate where they are safe and either the you or a pet sitter can take them out regularly and
have some productive human contact with them. After all, if you work full time, getting a
young puppy is probably not the best choice for you or the puppy!
Prior to being ready for our basic obedience course, we recommend P.U.P.S. Puppy Package
below:
P.U.P.S PUPPY PACKAGE!
Due to popular demand, P.U.P.S is now offering a 4 session Puppy Package for puppies
between the ages of 9 weeks – 18 weeks (at which time they are ready for P.U.P.S’ basic
obedience course). This 4 session package is designed to get you moving in the right
direction and to get you started on imprinting with obedience, establishing good manners,
channeling your pup productively, and warding off bad habits. We teach your entire family
how to set your puppy up to succeed within your home and how to avoid problems later in
life. We go over how to set your house up to accommodate your pups’ needs,
housebreaking, crate training, when to have the puppy out with you, when to crate your pup
so you don’t set him/her up to fail. We also give you guidance and direction on how to
effectively and productively socialize your pup with people and other dogs as well as teach
you how to productive play with your pup, how to introduce him/her to the vet, and other
general do’s and don’ts. We encourage the 4 session puppy program to begin around 9
weeks if possible when your pup is very pliable and you are the center of their universe.
Ideally, we would like to meet with your family and your puppy every other week starting at 9
weeks, then at 11, 13 and 15 or 16 weeks of age. The cost for the 4 lessons is $100.00,
however, you will receive a $25.00 credit towards the Basic Obedience group course when
your pup is over 18 weeks of age. If you don't feel you need 4 sessions, we are happy to meet
whenever you'd like for a consult to help you with your puppy. The price per individual
session instead of the puppy package is $40.00 for the first one and $30.00 for any
additional. While your pup may drive you a bit crazy during this interim period prior to
starting the Basic Obedience Course (which helps everything in and around the home in
addition to providing excellent, reliable obedience), P.U.P.S Puppy Package will minimize
problems and maximize success within your family not only for the puppy stage, but, for the
life of the dog!
Puppy Kindergartens
At P.U.P.S we have one constant underlying goal and philosophy that is the cornerstone of all
our programs, that being “always set the dog up for success.” Well, that holds true for our
philosophy on puppies 9-18 weeks old, puppy kindergartens and puppy daycares.
P.U.P.S does not believe in ANY sort of group puppy kindergarten or puppy daycare or dog
parks for a battery of reasons:
1. We want the puppies to have all their immunizations and have a mature enough immune
system to be around other puppies.
2. We do not believe in allowing puppies to be turned loose to play in an adrenaline filled,
unbridled manner with more than one other puppy at a time. When there are more than 2
puppies, chances are very high that the submissive pups are being over dominated by one or
more dominant puppies and there is a great possibility of the submissive pup becoming fear
aggressive later in life towards other dogs (we get them all the time because aggression and
fear aggression is an area of expertise for us) and the overly dominant pups are not benefiting
by being overly dominant either. We believe in socialization, of course, but in a controlled
manner whereby each pup is having a positive experience. We firmly believe that one on one
socialization is the best scenario for any pup where they are playing with ONE other pup of
similar size and similar energy level and each pup is having a positive experience which would
mean that both pups are comfortable in alternating dominant and submissive play stances
with each other.
3. Many times in the kindergarten classes, when there are more than 2 pups and one gets
overly dominant, the trainers will spray the dominant pup with a spray bottle of water, but,
sadly, since the dominant pup is standing over the submissive pup that is on his/her back, the
submissive pup is getting the spray too which exacerbates the puppy’s already bad
experience and may even effect his/her perception of people. In essence they are getting
corrected for nothing which causes additional stress!
4. We don't feel that more than two pups running around slamming into each other does ANY
good at all to the emerging and somewhat fragile orthopedic structure of the puppies. To
have puppies running into each other from all different angles or to big puppies jumping on
small puppies, or to have more than one puppy jumping on a puppy can result in injury and/or
cause permanent problems with the development of the hips, knees or elbows.
5. We also believe your pup should be able to be attentive to you while doing the puppy
classes. With other pups and people, it can be too stimulating and distracting and not
conducive to learning to interact with you or the lesson at hand.
6. The day care environment can also greatly hinder the puppy’s housebreaking progress at
home. Again, from the puppy’s perspective, if stopping in the middle of play and peeing or
pooping is okay all day inside a facility, then why not do the same at home?
7. Lastly, regarding daycares. Running around all day with other puppies can wreak havoc on
the puppy’s understanding of what is expected of him/her when at home with humans. It
can make it harder for the puppy to calm down around humans and learn how to be channeled
into the home environment. After all, from a puppy’s perspective, if running and biting and
jumping is okay all day long, then why not when they get home? If by chance they are not
running around, but, rather lying around bored, then, we’d prefer they be lying around bored
in a crate where they are safe and either the you or a pet sitter can take them out regularly and
have some productive human contact with them. After all, if you work full time, getting a
young puppy is probably not the best choice for you or the puppy!
Prior to being ready for our basic obedience course, we recommend P.U.P.S. Puppy Package
below:
P.U.P.S PUPPY PACKAGE!
Due to popular demand, P.U.P.S is now offering a 4 session Puppy Package for puppies
between the ages of 9 weeks – 18 weeks (at which time they are ready for P.U.P.S’ basic
obedience course). This 4 session package is designed to get you moving in the right
direction and to get you started on imprinting with obedience, establishing good manners,
channeling your pup productively, and warding off bad habits. We teach your entire family
how to set your puppy up to succeed within your home and how to avoid problems later in
life. We go over how to set your house up to accommodate your pups’ needs,
housebreaking, crate training, when to have the puppy out with you, when to crate your pup
so you don’t set him/her up to fail. We also give you guidance and direction on how to
effectively and productively socialize your pup with people and other dogs as well as teach
you how to productive play with your pup, how to introduce him/her to the vet, and other
general do’s and don’ts. We encourage the 4 session puppy program to begin around 9
weeks if possible when your pup is very pliable and you are the center of their universe.
Ideally, we would like to meet with your family and your puppy every other week starting at 9
weeks, then at 11, 13 and 15 or 16 weeks of age. The cost for the 4 lessons is $100.00,
however, you will receive a $25.00 credit towards the Basic Obedience group course when
your pup is over 18 weeks of age. If you don't feel you need 4 sessions, we are happy to meet
whenever you'd like for a consult to help you with your puppy. The price per individual
session instead of the puppy package is $40.00 for the first one and $30.00 for any
additional. While your pup may drive you a bit crazy during this interim period prior to
starting the Basic Obedience Course (which helps everything in and around the home in
addition to providing excellent, reliable obedience), P.U.P.S Puppy Package will minimize
problems and maximize success within your family not only for the puppy stage, but, for the
life of the dog!
