May 30th class now booking!
Puppy Academy
A Six-Week Foundation Class for Puppies & Their People
Puppies don't come with a manual. This class is pretty close.
Puppy Academy is a structured, six-week group class for puppies 10 weeks to 5 months old. We work in a closed cohort — the same puppies and people move through the curriculum together, week by week, so skills build on each other and your puppy isn't constantly adjusting to a new environment or new dogs. That consistency matters more than most people realize. It's what makes learning stick.
Every session is grounded in positive reinforcement. No punishment, no aversive tools, no intimidation. Just clear communication, high-value rewards, and a training approach that's been refined over 17 years of working with puppies, guide dogs, diabetic alert dogs, and everything in between.
Cohort Dates
Cohort 1: May 30 – July 18
No class July 4 or July 11
Cohort 2: August 1 – September 12
No class Labor Day weekend
WHAT YOU AND YOUR PUPPY WILL LEARN
We cover the skills that matter in real life, not just in a training facility. Over six weeks, you'll work on sit, down, stay, leave it, watch me, touch, and place, as well as recall, loose leash walking, and waiting politely at doors and thresholds. We also spend real time on the things most puppy owners are quietly struggling with: bite inhibition, impulse control, house training, and building the kind of daily routines that make everything else easier.
Confidence building runs through every session. Puppy Academy isn't about producing a perfectly obedient dog at six months. It's about producing a dog who can think, recover, and make good choices, and a person who knows how to guide them. Socialization with people and other puppies is included throughout, always at a pace that supports each puppy's individual comfort level.
NEXT CLASS BEGINS MAY 30TH
Orientation (Humans Only)
May 30th
• 1-hour orientation
• No dogs
Weekly Classes
Saturdays at 8:30 AM
-
May 30th (orientation)
-
June 6
-
June 13
-
June 20
-
June 27
-
NO CLASS JULY 4
-
July 11 Graduation
Total Duration: 6 weeks
Class Length: 1 hour per week
Class Size: Limited to maintain quality and safety
WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR
Puppy Academy is a great fit for:
-
Puppies 10 weeks to 5 months old at the start of class
-
Families looking for clear structure and realistic guidance
-
Puppy parents who want to build skills, confidence, and calm behavior from the beginning
LOCATION
The Family Dog
4048 S 2700 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
HOW CLASS IS STRUCTURED
The first session is a mandatory orientation for humans only. No puppies at orientation, please. This is where you learn the training philosophy, get your questions answered, and set yourself up to get the most out of the five working sessions that follow. It sounds like a small thing. It makes a real difference.
After orientation, classes meet Saturday mornings at 8:30 AM for five weeks. One hour per week. Same group, same structure, progressive skills.
Class size is limited to 12 puppies.
INVESTMENT
$325 for the full six-week program.
Payment is due before your spot is confirmed.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Puppies must be current on age-appropriate vaccinations before attending. This includes DHLPP vaccinations appropriate for your puppy's age and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). Rabies is not required for puppies too young to receive it. If your puppy is following a vet-recommended schedule and hasn't completed all rounds yet due to age, that's completely normal. Reach out before registering if you have questions.
FAQs
What age is Puppy Academy for?
Puppies 10 weeks to 5 months old at the start of class.
Do puppies come to the first session?
No. The first session is a mandatory orientation for humans only. Puppies join starting week two.
How many puppies are in each class?
Class size is limited to 12 puppies.
What if my puppy hasn't finished all their vaccinations?
That's normal. Puppies just need to be current on the vaccines recommended for their age. Reach out before registering if you have any questions about vaccination timing.
Is this drop-in or rolling enrollment?
Neither. Puppy Academy is a closed cohort. The same group moves through all six weeks together. This creates a calmer, more consistent learning environment and lets skills build progressively.
What training methods are used?
Positive reinforcement only. No punishment, no prong collars, no e-collars, no intimidation of any kind.
What if I miss a class?
Make-ups aren't guaranteed, but you'll get guidance on what to practice at home so you can stay on track with the group.
Is this class right for shy or sensitive puppies?
Absolutely. Puppies are never forced to interact and are always supported at their individual comfort level. Building confidence and resilience is a core part of what we do.
What should I bring?
You'll receive a welcome email after registering with everything you need to know, including treat recommendations and leash and collar guidance.
What is the refund policy?
Because spots are limited and fill quickly, refunds are not available once the program begins. Please reach out before registering if you have concerns.