Puppy Kindergarten

Probably the single most important thing you can do to help your puppy grow up to be a friendly, confident, reliable and happy family member is to socialize your puppy now.

- Patricia McConnell, PhD

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine offers puppy socialization classes for puppies age 8-16 weeks and their owners. This age is a very critical developmental stage for puppies. The lessons they learn during this "critical socialization period" will affect them for life. Thus, it is important to teach puppies to accept and be comfortable with a variety of people, places, sights and sounds.

Puppy kindergarten serves to socialize new puppies so that they may learn to handle stress and new situations well as an adult. Additionally, the class will provide owner education in all aspects of canine development and behavior problem prevention and resolution. Owners can utilize this early experience to create a confident, comfortable and loving member of their household and community.

When and Where

Puppy kindergarten includes six, one hour classes, held in room 0021 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Classes are held at 6:30pm unless otherwise noted.

Six week session start dates:

• Thursday, January 8, 2009
• Tuesday, January 27, 2009
• Thursday, February 19, 2009
• Tuesday, April 7, 2009
• Thursday, April 30, 2009
• Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The first class is for owners only - do not bring your puppy to class the first day. Full payment is required by noon on the Tuesday before the start date of class to reserve a spot - space is limited, sign up early!

Who Can Attend

All breeds of puppies between 8 and 16 weeks of age are encouraged to join puppy kindergarten. Owners may bring family members, including children above age 3 (with a supervising adult) to class. To insure that all puppies are healthy and protected from infectious disease, each puppy must be properly vaccinated and examined by a veterinarian at least 7 days before the start of class. A veterinary health form for proof of exam and vaccination, to be filled out by a veterinarian, can be obtained by phone request or by downloading the form online. Bring this form with you to the first day of class.

Registration and Fees

The cost for the entire 6 week course is $100. A $10 discount is offered to all OSU employees and students. Please bring ID to class. Full payment is required to reserve a place in class. Payments can be made in the form of check or money order to: The Ohio State University. Mail or drop-off payments with accompanying registration form to Puppy Kindergarten, C/O Traci Shreyer, The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 601 Vernon L. Tharp St., Columbus, Ohio 43210-1089. You will be contacted by phone or e-mail to confirm registration.

Payments are non-refundable. Space is limited – owners are encouraged to sign up early!

Questions?

Please e-mail Debby Miller with questions concerning the class or registration.

Remember
Send payment with the registration form to reserve a space in class. Have your veterinarian complete the veterinary health form and bring it to the first day of class. Day one of class is for owners only - No puppies please!