Here at Dog’s Day Out we believe the beginning stages of a dog’s life are extremely important and if you’re lucky enough to be able to have your dog at a young age, we are excited to be able to help you start him off right!

Early socialization and learning is imperative for puppies. In fact, this needs to happen BEFORE your puppy is 16 weeks old (ideally before 14 weeks!). If you wait until your puppy has “finished his shots” you are too late.  Preventing potential problems is much easier that correcting problems later!

PLEASE READ the following links on the importance of early puppy socialization as well as the position statement from the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) on early socialization for puppies. Also, see What is Socialization and ways to safely do it.

Puppy 101- What To Do With My New Puppy!

We offer a variety of  puppy & adolescent training classes and programs designed specifically for young dogs:

1.  PUPPY PARENTING – A 1 hour, 40 minute recorded course covering 4 weeks of training for puppies aged 2-5 months. This course is included with Play & Train, Puppy Pounce, and Puppy Training Camp, or it can be purchased separately.

Puppy Parenting Virtual is our core class for new puppy parents, guiding you through essential puppy training before and after your pup arrives. It covers age-appropriate topics like house training, socialization, mouthing/nipping, and understanding normal vs. abnormal behavior. You’ll also learn basic cues such as focus, sit, down, come, loose leash walking, and stationing on a mat. Plus, we’ll discuss your puppy’s developmental milestones.
This class is a key part of all our puppy programs and is taught by Danette Johnston, CPDT-KA, CFFP, FDM.

Cost: $49.95 for recorded webinar. To purchase, email Info@dogsdayoutseattle.com for a payment link. After payment, you’ll receive access to the course within 48 hours.

2. PLAY & TRAIN – Burien Only (45-minute sessions for puppies 8-18 weeks old)
Looking for extra socialization for your pup? Join our rolling-start Play & Train group! These sessions allows your puppy to socialize in a safe, monitored environment while you receive important behavior and training tips about your new pup. Each week, a certified trainer will cover puppy management topics and teach new skills also allowing for periods of supervised play. Don’t let your pup miss out on essential socialization, play, and bite inhibition skills!
Important: Puppies must have had their first Distemper/Parvo vaccine at least 7 days before the session.  
*The Puppy Parenting Webinar is included with Play & Train for additional human education.

Important Play & Train Registration Information:

• Start Anytime: You can begin your sessions at any time, before or after the listed start date, if space is available. 
• Session Details: Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions and your start date for 6 consecutive sessions. Sessions are fixed; no skipping weeks unless we’re closed for a major holiday. If you’d like a different start date, please request it. Be sure to check your spam folder for the email..
• Refunds & Missed Sessions:
  • No refunds within 10 days of the start date.
  • No refunds for missed sessions. Make-up sessions are available based on space, but must be requested via email (Info@dogsdayoutseattle.com) at least 24 hours in advance. If there’s no response, no space is available.
• Age Limit: All sessions must be completed before your pup turns 18 weeks old (pups under 20 lbs can continue until 20 weeks).
• No Shows: If you miss a session, it counts as one of your 6 sessions and will still be charged.
• Participants: Limit of 2 people per dog (children included).

3. PUPPY POUNCE – Ballard Only
4-week course (consecutive weeks, not rolling start) for puppies aged 8-16 weeks. This 55-minute in-person class follows the Puppy Parenting Webinar curriculum (included) and includes play and safe socialization time.

The course covers age-specific topics such as:

• House training
• Socialization and desensitization to sights, sounds, and handling
• Mouthing and nipping
• Recognizing normal vs. abnormal behaviors

You’ll also work on basic cues such as focus/attention, stationing on a mat, sit, down, and loose leash walking. We’ll also cover key stages of canine development.

Don’t let your pup miss out on essential socialization, play, and bite inhibition skills!

Limit: 5 puppies, 2 people per dog.
Instructor: Danette Johnston, CPDT-KA, CFFP, CFDM.

4. DROP-OFF PUPPY TRAINING CAMP – BURIEN ONLY. 4 drop off sessions. Puppy Training Camp is comprehensive structured program with a set curriculum. This is a training program developed specifically for puppies in this critical and sensitive period of behavioral development. 

The Details:

• For puppies 8-18 weeks old
• Monday & Wednesday (Four sessions over 2 weeks)
• Drop off between 8:30am-9:00am
• Pick up between 12:00pm-12:15pm
• 2 days each week for 2 consecutive weeks (4 days): $399
• All sessions are limited to 6 puppies with two certified trainers present.
• Camp fee includes a 15 minute virtual private session with a camp trainer to speak to you about your specific pup – what we worked on and recommendations for further training. 

Topics and Skills Covered:

• PUPPY PARENTING WEBINAR included!
• Structured and monitored play with other puppies to facilitate learning critical bite inhibition and socialization skills
• Crate training (for house training, settling and separation training)
• Exposure and conditioning to a variety of sights, sounds and objects
• Reinforcing desired behaviors – not jumping, mouthing/nipping
• Handling exercises including touch/petting and grooming
• Introduction to clicker/marker training
• Basic Cues including: Focus, Sit, Down and Drop
• NO REFUNDS within 10 days of start date. Camp date exchanges may be made 72 hours in advance of the session pending availability and the pup still being under 18 weeks. If exchange is not available, no refunds or partial refunds are made.

5. DROP-OFF TEENS CAMP – BURIEN ONLY.  4 Drop off session for dog friendly/social dogs.
The Details:

• For adolescent dogs 4.5 months (18 weeks) – 2 years
• Tuesday & Thursday (Four sessions over 2 weeks)
• Drop off between 8:30am-9:00am
• Pick up between 12:00pm-12:15pm
• 2 days each week for 2 consecutive weeks (4 days): $399
• All sessions are limited to 6 dogs with two certified trainers present.
• At the end of the camp sessions you will receive a detailed report card on your dog’s behaviors, what we worked on and what would be the best next training steps for your dog. You will also have the option of asking specific questions for your instructors.
• All dogs over 1 year must be spayed/neutered, no dogs in heat. 
• NO REFUNDS within 10 days of start date. Camp date exchanges may be made 72 hours in advance of the session pending availability. If exchange is not available, no refunds or partial refunds are made.

In these sessions your dog will practice appropriate interaction skills in a managed session with certified trainers. We will be reinforcing appropriate social/play skills, attention, breaks and pauses and recall out of play.   If you do not know how your dog will behave in a group of dogs you must register for a Teens Play Group session (where you are present) prior,  to evaluate your dog for camp. 

6. TEENS PLAY GROUP – For dogs (and their humans!) 4.5 months – 2 yrs.  1-hour Teens Play Groups  for dog-friendly adolescent dogs. This is a structured play group with training and behavior discussion breaks throughout the session. Humans are included in these sessions and are encouraged to ask the trainer questions! Sessions are limited to 4 dogs.
All sessions are run by a certified trainer. Vaccination record and proof of spay must be emailed prior to session: Info@dogsdayoutseattle.com. ALL DOGS OVER 1 YEAR MUST BE SPAYED/NEUTERED

Separate ALL AGE Small Dog Groups for dogs under 25 pounds. Same structure as the play group above. Great for both adolescent dogs and small adult dogs who would like engagement with other dogs but may be intimidated by larger dogs and/or larger groups. Registration links for the Small Dog Play Groups are found on our Speciality Classes page

7. TEENS & TWEENS JUMPSTART
A 3-week course for dogs aged 4.5 to 24 months, focused on common adolescent challenges.
This course helps you understand your dog’s teenage brain, improve communication, and build lasting enthusiasm for learning. Each week focuses on specific behaviors and skills:

9. PRIVATE LESSONS. We offer in-person and virtual private sessions if you need specific, immediate help. 
Email: Danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com with any questions.

How do I sign up? Click the class you want on the right side of this page or, for more information, please contact us by phone 206-706-4875 or email at Info@dogsdayoutseattle.com.