RELATIONSHIP FOR LIFE puppy PROGRAM

Stage 1: Puppy Kindergarten (enrollment between 12 to 22 weeks)

  • begins with a one-on-one private lesson, followed by a series of 6 consecutive group classes.

  • participation in this stage is for puppies who have received their 2nd round of shots and up to 22 weeks of age when the first group class begins.

  • Participation in Stage 1: Puppy Kindergarten is required in order to particpate in the later stages of our Relationship For Life (RFL) Program.

This developmental stage is crucial in your puppy's development. At this age, puppies are like sponges, soaking up every experience around them while developing emotions such as happiness and fear. It’s an essential window for exposing them to a variety of novel experiences that boost confidence and foster positive emotions like joy and contentment.

The aim of our "Puppy Kindergarten" series of classes is to facilitate safe socialization, prevent behavioral issues, provide managed exposure, introduce basic manners, and strengthen the bond between you and your puppy. Socialization is key during this period and includes interactions with friendly people, other puppies, dogs, and animals, as well as visits to new places, experiencing different sights, sounds, and textures.

While socialization is paramount, beginning to teach basic manners is equally important. This foundational training helps your puppy understand your guidance and the relevance you hold in their life. At this step in our RFL program, your puppy will encounter various experiences in a secure environment, while you gain vital skills to enhance your bond of trust and cooperation. This connection will prove invaluable as your puppy transitions into the next critical phase: ADOLESCENCE!

NOTE: THE PRIVATE LESSON AND PUPPY CLASS ARE SCHEDULED SEPARATELY.

Important: Your private lesson MUST be scheduled and occur BEFORE the start of Puppy class.

RELATIONSHIP FOR LIFE PUPPY PROGRAM

Stage 2: Elementary School (enrollment between 24 to 31 Weeks)
Transitional Training: From Foundation to Fluency

As puppies enter adolescence (approximately 6 to 7 months of age), they begin a critical developmental phase marked by increased physical maturity, emerging hormonal influences, and rapidly evolving behavioral patterns. This period often presents new challenges for the human family, as puppies test boundaries, display heightened independence, and may temporarily appear to regress in responsiveness.

In the context of a year-long training program, it’s important to view Puppy Kindergarten as the foundational stage. During those early weeks, puppies are introduced to essential communication skills and basic behaviors in a controlled, low-distraction environment. These early lessons build trust, engagement, and the groundwork for future learning—but they are not designed to address the complexities of adolescent behavior.

As dogs mature, training goals must evolve accordingly. Adolescence introduces the need for greater structure, consistency, and patience, along with a progressive increase in training complexity. Behaviors introduced during the foundational stage must now be reinforced and expanded upon by systematically adding distance, duration, and distraction—three critical components that enhance reliability and fluency.

In our Relationship For Life program, we recognize that this developmental stage is not just about managing behavior, but about actively shaping it through well-timed guidance and support. Our Elementary School curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between early learning and long-term reliability. We help you navigate your dog’s changing needs, support the development of self-regulation, and maintain the trust and bond established in earlier stages.

Enrollment in this innovative and unique curriculum is dependent on completing Stage 1, Puppy Kindergarten.

RELATIONSHIP FOR LIFE puppy PROGRAM

STAGE 3: Middle School (enrollment between 35 to 45 Weeks)
Building Reliability and Resilience Through Continued Engagement

Following the transitional work of Elementary School, Stage 3—Middle School—continues your dog's journey toward maturity by reinforcing and expanding upon the skills introduced in earlier stages. At this point in development, adolescent puppies are not only growing physically but also testing boundaries more frequently and asserting their independence with greater intensity. This phase requires a thoughtful, proactive approach to maintain progress and prevent regression.

In Middle School, we build on the fluency developed in Stage 2 by further challenging your dog with increased levels of distance, duration, and distraction—essential components for real-world reliability. This stage focuses on helping you generalize previously learned behaviors across new contexts, environments, and situations.

As your puppy seeks to explore and “broaden their horizons,” you may find it necessary to adjust routines and environments to ensure safety and maintain consistency. Some freedoms may need to be temporarily dialed back in order to set your dog up for success. Far from being a step backward, this is a strategic part of helping adolescent dogs grow into thoughtful, responsive companions.

Middle School is not about managing your dog—it’s about refining their skills, deepening their focus, and reinforcing the bond of trust and cooperation you’ve been building since Puppy Kindergarten. Weekly classes introduce more complex training exercises and incorporate engaging games that are both fun and instructive. These activities are designed to develop cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and real-life responsiveness—all through positive, relationship-based methods.

This stage is a pivotal opportunity to turn solid foundational behaviors into dependable, lifelong habits. With continued support and practice, your adolescent dog will gain the confidence and resilience needed to thrive as a well-mannered, engaged partner in your life together.

Enrollment in this innovative and unique curriculum is dependent on completing Stage 1, Puppy Kindergarten, and Stage 2, Elementary School. You may speak with our Training Administrator, Joyce, 610-620-5751, or your class instructor for more information.

RELATIONSHIP FOR LIFE puppy PROGRAM

Stage 4: High School Puppy (Enrollment 47 Weeks and Beyond)
Expanding Skills, Strengthening Partnership

Your continued dedication to your dog’s education is truly paying off. By this stage, you’ve helped shape a dog who not only knows how to learn—but genuinely enjoys it. They’re motivated, curious, and excited to take on new challenges—especially when there's a reward and a little fun involved (and really, who doesn’t love that?).

Now the real adventure begins. With a solid foundation and consistent practice behind you, the road ahead is full of possibilities. Whether you’re interested in performance sports, therapy work, neighborhood adventures, or simply refining everyday skills, there’s something for every team at What A Good Dog.

Our High School program offers a range of specialty classes focused on advanced obedience, loose-leash walking, reliable recall, impulse control (including everyone’s favorite: the “off” switch), and introductions to activities like rally, agility, and trick training. You'll also have the chance to participate in themed game nights, community outings, and targeted workshops—all designed to build confidence, deepen focus, and keep learning enjoyable.

Ready to explore what’s next?
Contact Joyce, our Training Administrator, at 610-620-5751 or complete the form below to learn more about available classes.

Let’s keep the learning fun, the partnership strong, and the journey long-lasting—for many wonderful years to come.