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Your Dog's Friend

A NONPROFIT IN ROCKVILLE, MD WITH FORCE-FREE, POSITIVE DOG TRAINING, FREE WEBINARS & ADVICE

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Puppy Kindergarten

We are currently enrolling for live, online Puppy Kindergarten classes. Join us from anywhere! You’ll be surprised by how much better your puppy can focus on you when not distracted in a classroom. Local friends, supplement online Puppy Kindergarten with in-person Puppy Party, Puppy Social, and Agility Special!

“I couldn’t be happier! Our trainer was very experienced, patient, and open to any questions we had. During our six-week class, my puppy learned basic obedience skills (sit, stay, touch, leave it, etc.) as well as leash training. I also liked how the dogs had ample time to socialize and play throughout each lesson. These short play sessions gave Otto a welcome break and allowed him to spend time with other dogs his age. I’d highly recommend Your Dog’s Friend!”

 – C.R., Potomac, MD

About this Class:

Puppies should be 8 weeks – 6 months old when they begin Puppy Kindergarten. We encourage you to start your puppy in class early (as young as 8 weeks). You do not have to wait until your puppy’s vaccinations are complete. For more about this, please read the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position statement on puppy socialization.

Our Puppy Kindergarten classes have rolling registration.* That means that your family and puppy can join the class you choose as soon as space opens. There is a list of the first dates available for each of our classes farther down on this page. You are registering for six weeks in a row, not including class cancellations. However, if you tell your instructor ahead of time about a date you have to miss, you can tack on one extra week at the end. *Please note: The classes beginning Tues Feb 2 and Mar 23 at 6:00 pm are not rolling enrollment, but distinct, six-week classes, thus makeup dates are not available for those two sections.

In Puppy Kindergarten, you will: start training your puppy in basic good manners (like sit, come, loose-leash walking, wait, leave it, attention, settle); learn how to deal with typical puppy challenges (including mouthing, house training, jumping); and practice training exercises, like “drop it” and handling, to help prevent future fear and aggression issues.

We will be using Zoom for our online Puppy Kindergarten classes.  Pre-recorded video, discussion, and demos will be used and each participant will also be coached via video working with their own puppy during the class.

Before your first class, your instructor will send you information on how you will want to prepare and how to log on to the class.  You will need a internet access and a smart phone or a computer to join.

We use only positive methods – no choke, prong, or electronic collars. Training is fun for both you and your dog!

Instructors:

    • Sarah Stoycos (Laughing Dog Academy) – Monday, Wednesday morning, Sunday evening
    • Lisa Arant (Small and Tall Dog Training) – Saturday morning
    • Marnie Montgomery (Joyful Dog) – Sunday morning & midday
    • Susan Sanderson (Joyful Dog) – Tuesday (not rolling enrollment) & Wednesday evening

Fee: $165

Available Starting Dates

The classes below — with the exception of the Tues at 6pm classes beginning Feb 2 and Mar 23 — are rolling enrollment. These dates are when we can start another puppy in class.

    • Monday 10:15am – Mar 15
    • Monday 6:00pm – Mar 29
    • Monday 7:15pm – Mar 29
    • Tuesday 6:00pm – Feb 2 – Mar 9 This section is full.
      Please note: The Tues 6pm class beginning Feb 2 is not rolling enrollment, but six weeks only, so there aren’t makeup dates available.
    • Tuesday 6:00pm – Mar 23 – Apr 27
      Please note: The Tues 6pm class beginning Mar 23 is not rolling enrollment, but six weeks only, so there aren’t makeup dates available.
    • Wednesday 10:15am – Mar 24
    • Wednesday 6:00pm – Mar 31
    • Saturday 8:30am – Mar 27
    • Saturday 10:00am – Apr 24
    • Sunday 10:45am – Apr 18
    • Sunday 12:15pm – Apr 25
    • Sunday 5:30pm – Apr 18
    • Sunday 7:00pm – Apr 11

Support the free programs and services provided by Your Dog’s Friend, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and supporting dog parents.

register

 

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yourdogsfriendtraining

Nonprofit to support dog parents in DC & worldwide
R+ dog training classes (online & in person), free webinars, advice, referrals
Nicole (she/her) 👋

Your Dog's Friend
We have a few Puppy Party openings for puppies >20 We have a few Puppy Party openings for puppies >20 lbs this coming week! 🐶 🎉 
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Link in bio!
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#puppyplay #puppyparty #happypuppy #puppytraining #puppytips #puppiesofmaryland #puppiesofdc #dcpuppy #rockvillemd #positivereinforcementdogtraining
😍🍦 @rooneyinmoco @metropolitandogllc . P 😍🍦 
@rooneyinmoco 
@metropolitandogllc 
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Posted @withregram • @rooneyinmoco I did a good job in class today at @yourdogsfriendtraining so mom took me to @sarahshandmadeicecream for a Pup Cup after class! 🍦❤️
👏 🎉 @mrperrydoodle !! . Posted @withregram 👏 🎉 @mrperrydoodle !!
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Posted @withregram • @mrperrydoodle My Official AKC Trick dog Certificates came in Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog right here 😎so is that Mr. Paddington Perry- CGC, TKN,  TKI now 🤓
#akctrickdog #akcnovicetrickdog #akcintermediatetrickdog #akccaninegoodcitizen
Teddy exploring at Puppy Social this week! 🛹 @m Teddy exploring at Puppy Social this week! 🛹 @metropolitandogllc 

Posted @withregram • @president_teddy_tot Conquering all obstacles
Our next online Calling All Dogs! class all about Our next online Calling All Dogs! class all about coming when called starts Mon Mar 22 with @joyful_dog ! 
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Does your dog think twice when you call? Are distractions getting in the way of a rock-solid recall? Spend four game-packed sessions learning how to change that response and help your dog understand that coming to you is the best thing in the world.
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Link in Bio! Or go to YourDogsFriend.org/Schedule.
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#recalltraining #comingwhencalled #dogrecall #dogrecalltraining #dogtraining #dogtrainer #onlineclass #onlinedogtraining #virtualdogtraining #weloveonlineclasses #happydogs #longline #callingalldogs #yourdogsfriend
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