Puppies are special.  They are cute, cuddly, a ton of fun and a ton of work! They need a careful balance of exercise, training and guidance to develop into confident, well behaved adults.  Our unique puppy preschool program, designed for puppies between 10 weeks and 7 months of age, provides a combination of exercise, socialization and training.  Pups in preschool will spend their day participating  in small, well supervised playgroups with other puppies,  and learning basic cues and skills all under the guidance of one of our certified trainers.  Puppy parents will also get a ton of support and information so they can learn how to continue the socialization and training at home; including daily report cards with instructional videos, monthly indepth progres reports and access to our private Youtube channel filled with training vidoes.  Puppy preschool is open M-Th from 6:30 am-6:30 pm and is a service that puppies attend WITHOUT their puppy parent. Scroll down to enroll your puppy in preschool. If you are interested in attending a puppy class WITH  your puppy please click here for more information on puppy classes.

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Puppies are considered adults at 7 months and will be eligible to transfer into our regular daycare providing they have been spayed or neutered AND that there is space in their appropriate sized play group.   Please note that at this time our adult large and medium playgroups are close to full, if your puppy will be over 25 pounds full grown we may not be able to transfer them to adult daycare.  Don't let this discourage you from attending preschool, our goal is for your puppy to have a carefully supervised early socialization experience and learn amazing play skills so they can go out into the world and succeed in any social situation.  With the right start transfer to another daycare, dog walker or play group  should be easy!  

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The puppy preschool is very busy these days so we have a few rules and procedures that we follow to ensure we help train and socialize as many puppies as possible!

 

1.  Preschool spaces are limited to 2 days per week per puppy, we are happy to recommend local dog walkers who can give mid day potty breaks if you need an extra hand on non preschool days.  We will try hard to accommodate the days that work best for your schedule but you may receive faster service if you are willing to be flexible with scheduling.  

 

2. Puppies must be at least  10 weeks to begin preschool.  At this time our wait list can be long, due to this PUPPIES MUST BE 5 MONTHS OR YOUNGER TO REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL AND JOIN THE WAITLIST.

 

3.  Incoming puppies will be placed on a wait list while we wait for vaccine records and for a space to open up.  You do not need to complete your puppy series before joining the wait list but you do need to have at least 1 distemper/parvo, bordatella and a negative fecal to actually begin preschool.  You may also join the wait list if you are waiting to pick up your puppy from a breeder or rescue but you will not be able to join preschool until vaccines are completed.  

 

4.  Wait listed puppies will be called in order as soon as a preschool vacancy occurs, we want to get puppies started as early as possible so we will make every effort to get you started in a reasonable amount of time but it is impossible to predict waiting periods at any given time.  If you are called and have already made other arrangements for your pup we will move on to the next wait listed puppy, you are under no obligation to use the preschool if you are on the wait list.  

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5. Please be aware that puppies have immature immune systems and much like a child going to kindergarten for the first time they will be exposed to novel germs and can easily catch things like canine cough or intestinal parasites when exposed to other dogs.  These common puppy ailments are not dangerous or life threatening but they will require vet visits, possible medication and breaks from preschool to resolve.  Canine cough (doggie cold) has been especially prevalent throughout puppy daycare and classes across the country this year. It is our firm belief that the benefits of socialization and training provided by preschool far outweigh the risks of a cold but it is important to us that you have all the information when deciding what is best for your puppy.

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CURRICULUM 

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The puppy preschool curriculum has been designed by our team of certified trainers and represents the goals we have found most important to owners and to raising a confident, polite family member through our years of observing dog behavior and teaching puppy classes.

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SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING GOALS

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Build great play and dog/dog communication skills through short trainer monitored play sessions with other puppies.

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Build confidence and alone time skills through crate training, while focusing on building positive associations with the crate and gradually increasing alone time.

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Build confidence and positive associations to a wide variety of surfaces, objects and situations.  

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Build confidence and positive associations to different types of body handling and grooming procedures including collar handling, nail trimming and breed appropriate grooming tools.

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Build confidence and positive associations towards sharing resources through food bowl exercises, object exchanges and a drop cue.

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Properly modifying puppy mouthing in a manner designed to teach a soft mouth through puppy play, appropriate feedback from humans and learning a controlled tug game with rules.

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LIFE SKILLS/CUE BASED LEARNING GOALS

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Assist with proper chew training by providing appropriate chew toys and games.

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Work towards eliminating jumping up by teaching

 appropriate greeting manners like a strong hand target 

(say hi) and default sit.

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Work on leash manners and a heel cue

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Teach a strong sit cue

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Teach a strong down cue

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Teach owner relevance through attention games and a great recall cue

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Work on impulse control by teaching leave it and wait

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OWNER PARTNERSHIP GOALS

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Puppy training is a constant process (if your pup is awake they are learning).  Our preschool aims to set owners up with great information and opportunities so that puppies get all the practice they need to develop into stable, well mannered adults.  Pups in the preschool will receive daily report cards and homework.  In addition owners will get unlimited email/phone support for answers to all puppy related questions.  

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PUPPY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

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Part of puppy success comes from providing the right toys, chews and tools.  All puppies who enroll in preschool will be required to bring the following supplies.  For ease we ask that you plan to leave your pups supplies here rather than bringing them every day. 

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1. A properly fitted front clip harness such as a Ruff Wear Front Range harness  or Easy Walk harness (need help with fitting, just ask!)  We sell Ruff Wear harnesses here please see below for info on our harness exchange program.

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2.  A puppy safe chew bone such as a bully stick or antler

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3.  A package of high value treats (not sure what to get, just ask!)

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3.  A daily lunch or snack for re-fueling after hard play and learning.  PLEASE BRING A LARGE ZIPLOCK BAG FULL OF KIBBLE THAT WE CAN USE FOR LUNCHES.

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HARNESS EXCHANGE PROGRAM:  Puppies grow quickly and investing in multiple harnesses is expensive!  Our harness exchange program allows you to pay for your harness once and then upgrade to larger sizes as your puppy grows.  You will begin with a used harness from our store collection and chooose a brand new harness in your preferred color when your puppy graduates and is close to their adult size.  Harnesses are $35 and you can request a harness fitting when your puppy begins preschool or anytime during preschool.

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RATES

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A typical day of adult daycare costs anywhere between $40 to $50 per day depending on the facility.  Typical puppy training costs $175 for a 6 week class up to $1000 for private instruction.  Puppy preschool combines both services into one convenient value and gives your puppy the advantage of regular one on one work with an experienced certified trainer. 

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Rates are based on a pass plan. Daily rates include all play and training. Passes are valid for the duration of puppy preschool. Any leftover passes when your puppy graduates from preschool at 7 months will be converted into credit towards adult daycare, training or product.

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1 day pass:​ $75.00 

5 day pass:​ $355.00 ($71.00 per day)

10 day pass: $670.00 ($67.00 per day)

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For owners enrolling 2 puppies the first puppy will follow the rates above and the second puppy will be $45 per day.  For owners who already have an adult dog enrolled in regular daycare your puppy will pay the rates above but your adult will pay the additional dog charge of $25 per day.

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Boarding: $15 per night in addition to one preschool pass.  Puppy preschool is not meant to be a board and train program but rather a collaboration between The Dog Spot and owners to raise a confident and polite puppy. However, we are happy to care for and continue your pups training while you go on vacation.  There is no official  preschool on the weekend but your puppy is still welcome to board and will either go home with a staff member or be paired with appropriate adult dogs on a case by case basis depending on the age/skills of your pup.

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RULES

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First off, we are PAWsitively excited for your puppies very first day of preschool! Our number 1 goal is to make the preschool experience fun and rewarding for your puppy and in order to accomplish that, we have several rules/guidelines for you to follow on their first day: 

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1. When you get here with your puppy, if you notice there is a dog in the gated front area, please wait in your car with your puppy until the area is clear.

2. Once the area is clear feel free to come in with your puppy and we ask that you carry them in or lead them with treats when coming in from your car. Some puppies can be apprehensive when they first walk in to a new environment and carrying them/encouraging them with treats can help relieve some of that stress/anxiety. As soon as you walk in remove your pups harness, leash and collar and  the front desk staff member will meet you at the glass door and encourage your puppy to come in.

3. Please make sure to bring a lunch for you puppy (if they are getting one at home), a chew for them to have while they nap (Bullystick, Kong, antler, etc), and some training treats for us to use during our training sessions. You may also bring a bed and/or blanket if you’d like, but again it’s not necessary as we have plenty.

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We are dedicated to helping every puppy and owner in our program navigate puppyhood happily and successfully by providing you with the best and most effective tools you need! We are always here to answer any questions and concerns you might have and look forward to working with you and your puppy!

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AGE:  Puppies between the ages of 10 weeks and 7 months are eligible for preschool.

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END OF PUPPY HOOD:  Puppies are considered adults at 7 months and will be eligible to transfer into our regular daycare providing they have been spayed or neutered AND that there is space in their appropriate sized play group.   Please note that at this time our adult large and medium playgroups are full, if your puppy will be over 25 pounds full grown we probably will not be able to transfer them to adult daycare.  Don't let this discourage you from attending preschool, our goal is for your puppy to have a carefully supervised early socialization experience and learn amazing play skills so they can go out into the world and succeed in any social situation.  With the right start transfer to another daycare, dog walker or play group  should be easy!  We are happy to put your puppy on a wait list to join the adult daycare when a space opens up.

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RESERVATIONS: The Dog Spot staff believes that the best situation is a small number of puppies receiving the greatest amount of care and attention. In order to ensure our numbers do not exceed 10 puppies per day all puppies must have a reservation or regular schedule to be in preschool. Cancellations with less than 24 hour notice will be charged full fees.  

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VACCINATIONS:  The Dog Spot Preschool is a specialized program designed for puppies 10 weeks to 7 months old. The benefits of early socialization and a strong training foundation are widely supported by trainers and veterinarians. The core vaccine DDAP is done in three sets separated by 2-4 weeks in order to best cover young puppies from these diseases. The Dog Spot requires this series to be started before entering preschool. Bordetella vaccine and a negative fecal exam are also required prior to entry. The American Veterinary Association has put out a position statement on the benefits of proper socialization out weighing the risk of exposure. Visit www.AVSABonline.org then click Position Statements for further information to make an informed decision prior to bringing your puppy to preschool.  Please note that canine cough (doggie cold) has been more prevalent in puppy daycares and classes across the country this year.  Canine cough is not life threatening but it does require a vet visit, possible antibiotics and a 2 week break from preschool to resolve.  The Dog Spot is not responsible for veterinary bills for vaccines, or the illness they are intended to protect against.

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HEALTH: All puppies must be in good health. Owners will certify their puppies are in good health and have not been ill with a communicable condition in the last 30 days. Upon admission all puppies must be free from any condition that could potentially jeopardize themselves or other guests. Puppies that have been ill with a communicable condition in the last 30 days will require veterinarian certification of health to be admitted or re-admitted.  Puppies who become ill while in daycare will be isolated until their owners can come to pick them up.

 

BEHAVIOR: Almost all puppy behaviors can be modified with proper training and socialization.  Shy, overly assertive or food/toy protective puppies will be worked with to help overcome these issues.  In the rare case of a puppy with behaviors where daycare may be detrimental such as extreme shyness or toy protectiveness we will work with you to come up with an in-home behavior modification program until your pup is ready to return to daycare.