What is the S.T.A.R Puppy program?
S ocialization T raining A ctivity R esponsibility
OWNER BEHAVIORS:
1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge
3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.
PUPPY BEHAVIORS:
7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice
10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy
PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:
12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returnsPuppyhood is just the beginning of the wonderful relationship with your dog. Young puppy is for dogs 8 weeks to 6 months.
It definitely can be challenging, just like having a newborn baby in the house. But there are several things that will help you out, patience, patience, and more patience!
Housetraining is one of the more complicated things for a puppy to understand. For 8 weeks of his or her life, she was able to go potty where she wanted to, now you are telling her to go outside. It takes time, persistence, and patience.
Guardian Angel's FPP offers to take your puppy, and start the housetraining process for you. It will make is an easy, positive experience for you and your dog. In the beginning of puppy classes we will go over everything from vaccines to nutrition. All of which will help you have a happy, healthy, energetic puppy.
We start the program with the basic commands of sit, down, come, stay, loose leash walking, and beginning of heel. Since puppies all have minds of a grasshopper when we talk about attention to you, the classes are shorter, they run approximately 45 min-1 hour. In this group class there are 6 weeks of classes, which goes over a new lecture every week from Nutrition, Aggression, Vaccines, Toys and more.
In the classes you will receive homework, handouts, samples, and whatever else you may need. We will go over what stages your puppies are in now and what they will be going through, so you do not get blindsided when your sweet puppy suddenly becomes "deaf" to what you say.