AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

Transform Your Puppy’s First Months with A Canine Understanding's AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program!

At A Canine Understanding, we believe that your puppy's early experiences set the foundation for a lifetime of good behavior and strong bonds. That's why we’ve taken the American Kennel Club’s AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and tailored it to meet the real-life needs of both puppies and their owners.

While traditional puppy classes are helpful, we’ve noticed that many puppies and owners excel in a classroom setting but struggle once they’re out in the real world. The distractions of daily life can be overwhelming for a young puppy. To combat this, we’ve made a change. Our unique approach takes training outside into real-world environments, where your puppy can practice and succeed among distractions.

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Why outdoor classes?
Puppies need to learn how to stay focused, calm, and confident in a variety of environments. Our classes, held in local parks throughout the Vancouver area, allow puppies to engage in a natural setting—building a stronger foundation for the future. It’s the perfect way to ensure your puppy can handle distractions and become a well-rounded companion.

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What to Expect in Our 6-Week Puppy Kindergarten:

This hands-on course will cover everything you and your puppy need to set both of you up for success, including:

• Sit

• Down

• Loose Leash Walking

• Beginning Recall

• Socialization with people and other dogs

• Politely Greeting Strangers

• Exposure to new environments, sounds, and experiences

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But that’s not all—we’ll also dive into essential topics like:

• Crate training

• Housebreaking tips

• Car safety

• Teaching impulse control

• Setting your puppy up for long-term success

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By the end of the program, you'll have the tools to guide your puppy through their critical developmental stages, ensuring they grow into a confident and well-behaved dog.

Class Details:

• Open to puppies of any breed or mix (AKC registration not required)

• Ideal for puppies ages 8 weeks to 6 months

• Puppies 7-12 months may benefit more from Beginning Obedience

• Limited to 6 puppies per class to ensure personal attention

• $220 for the 6-week course

• Requirements: Puppies must have age-appropriate vaccinations

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                                              Ready to start your puppy’s journey with confidence?
Class sessions are currently closed for the season, but we’d love to add you to our waitlist for Spring 2025 classes. Sign up now, and give your puppy the best start possible!