Puppy Classes
Puppy Kindergarten
Mondays & Thursdays, 7:00 pm at the Shrewsbury Community Center
$75 for 5 class training pass to be used within 8 weeks.
This class is typically offered throughout the year, with a break during Thanksgiving week and a 2 week break at the end of the year.
For puppies 8 to 14 weeks of age. This class provides socialization opportunities where puppies learn that new sights, sounds, people, and puppies are fun. We provide a safe and supervised environment where puppies can learn while playing. We cover common puppy raising issues such as chewing, nipping, and house-soiling, and lay a foundation for basic training. Puppy Kindergarten is the most important class your dog will ever attend. Click here to see what the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has to say about young puppy socialization classes. This class uses the Perfect Puppy in 7 Days book, available from our store.
Contact the office if the next available BAT 101 Seminar is full; it is so important to get young puppies into Puppy Kindergarten class that we will work to get your puppy in class as soon as possible.
Puppy Elementary
Mondays & Thursdays, 7:00 pm at the Shrewsbury Community Center
$75 for 5 class training pass to be used within 8 weeks.
This class is typcially offered throughout the year with a 4 week break during the summer and a 6 week break between Thanksgiving and the New Year.
For puppies 15 weeks to 8 months of age. Puppies continue their socialization to new dogs and people and begin the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Curriculum. Puppies learn to be comfortable with handling and grooming and with brief seperation from their owner. They learn to walk on a leash, sit and lie down when asked, and come when called. At the end of 5 class sessions, all puppies will have the opportunity to earn the S.T.A.R. Puppy Award provided by the AKC. This class uses the Perfect Puppy in 7 Days book, available from our store.
It all starts with our Behavior and Training 101 Seminar. This seminar will get you prepared for our puppy and family dog classes. The seminar covers state-of-the-art training methods, leadership, and training equipment. You learn the most effective way to train your dog, how you can manage common behavior problems at home, and how you can prepare for class. This two-hour presentation includes video examples and live demonstrations. Attending orientation provides you with a solid foundation for your first class. You attend this class without your dog so you are not distracted and you have the opportunity to ask questions.
Pre-registration is encouraged because this low-cost class is very popular. Walk-ins are welcome but may be put on a waiting list for class. Although attendance at this seminar is required for all new students there is no obligation to register for any other class. Some students find this seminar is all they need to start training their dog at home. If you have a puppy under 14 weeks, enroll in this seminar as soon as possible. See our puppy classes for more information about why it is so important to get your puppy into class as soon as possible.
Behavior and Training 101 Seminar
Behavior and Training 101 Seminar
Mondays & Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
$20 per household
Offered at Shrewsbury Community Center
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early and bring a pen and notebook for taking notes.
find out about early enrollment options.
Our Unique Training Pass Enrollment
Most of our classes use a unique training pass. This gives you a convenient way to pay for classes and allows you to come to class even when you have a busy schedule. All our entry level classes allow you to purchase a 5 session training pass for $75. With this pass, you get 8 weeks to attend 5 classes. If you need to miss a class, you can just come to the next class. You do not fall behind if you miss class and you can check the class calendar to see the skills covered each week. If a class is cancelled due to weather, holidays or training for our trainers, your training pass expiration date is extended.
Be sure to tell us if you miss 2 classes in a row! If you are not in class and we don't hear from you for 2 weeks, we may give your spot to another student.
Where Are The Start Dates?
There are no start dates for our entry level classes, including Puppy Kindergarten, Puppy Elementary and Foundation Manners. To get started simply attend the required Behavior and Training 101 seminar. Once you complete that class you will have the opportunity to choose the best entry level class for you and your dog. Openings occur in all entry level classes almost weekly because students graduate every week. Most of the time you can start in class within a week of attending the Behavior and Training 101 seminar.
Why do we offer continuous enrollment instead of traditional 6-8 week classes? Most people don't want to wait 5-6 weeks to get started training. Our classes allow us to get you started in class as soon as we have an opening.
Our entry level classes run almost continually throughout the year. There are a couple of scheduled breaks. See the specific class information below for information on when classes are on a break.
Vaccination Requirements
The following required and recommended vaccinations must be given by a veterinarian.
- Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus (aka "DHPP) given at least 10 days prior to class - required for dogs 8 weeks and older
- Rabies - required for dogs 15 weeks and older
- Bordatella (aka "kennel cough") given at least 4 days prior to class -
recommended for dogs 8 to 15 weeks
required for dogs over 15 weeks
Proof of vaccinations must be provided prior to starting your dog in class. You can provide proof of your vaccinations in one of these 3 ways:
- FAX a copy of your records to 314-647-5719
- Take a COPY to class and leave with the registrar. This copy WILL NOT be returned to you so be sure you keep your orginals.
Ensure your name and your dog's name are clearly identified on the records
If you do not follow a traditional vaccination schedule you can provide a letter from your veterinarian indicating that your dog is free of disease, and may attend class.
Refund Policy
Registration fees are not refundable to allow us to keep fees low. If you register for a class and are unable to attend, we will be happy to provide a credit for a future class.
Family Dog Classes
Foundation Manners
Mondays & Thursdays, 8:15 pm at the Shrewsbury Community Center
Saturdays, 3:00 pm at the Humane Society of Missouri
$75 for 5 class training pass to be used within 8 weeks.
This class is typcially offered throughout the year with a 4 week break during the summer and a 6 week break between Thanksgiving and the New Year.
For dogs 4 months of age and older. Whether your dog is just a beginner or your dog already has some basics but needs more advanced training, this class can help. Your dog will learn Foundation skills including attention and focus, being handled, leaving things when asked, and sitting politely to greet people, lying down, going to a mat, coming when called, staying in place and walking past distractions. See the class calendar for a list of skills taught each week. This class uses the Clicking With Your Dog book, available from our store.
