AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy · 5-week group series, 1 small-dog social included
Puppy Kindergarten 201
For puppies 5 months to 1 year. Perfect for continued training and socialization, building on your puppy's foundation with positive reinforcement methods.
Wednesday's track starts Oct 21. Saturday's starts Oct 17.
- 4.9 from 200+ Google reviews
- Certified trainers since 2004
- Fully insured
$300 for the 5-week program
Includes 1 small-dog social and the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification path.
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| 5-week courseAges 5 months to 1 year | $300per 5 weeks |
- Small class sizesMax 6-8 dogs for personalized attention
- 5-week program1 small-dog social included
- S.T.A.R. Puppy titleSmall-dog social required for certification
- 50-min sessionsTraining handouts and videos included
Pick your cohort and track
Week 1 is a no-puppies orientation held at your track's weekly day and time. Weeks 2 to 5 are hands-on classes with puppies present.
| Cohort | Saturdays at 11:00 am | Wednesdays at 7:00 pm |
|---|---|---|
| Octoberhumans-only kickoff Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 17 to Nov 14, 2026 | Oct 21 to Nov 18, 2026 |
A 5-week series. Week 1 is humans only, weeks 2 to 5 include puppies. Register for Saturday 11 am or Register for Wednesday 7 pm
For older puppies ready for the next level
Our puppy kindergarten classes are perfect for older puppies who have completed preschool or are ready for more advanced training and socialization.
Building on the foundation
Your puppy continues to develop:
- Advanced socialization skills
- Impulse control and patience
- Complex obedience cues
- Confidence in challenging situations
- Focus and attention in distracting environments
- Problem-solving abilities
- Real-world application of training
Benefits of kindergarten
- Deepen your understanding of your pup's needs
- Improve communication and strengthen your bond
- Learn to apply and reinforce skills in real-life scenarios
- Gain tools to teach new skills for lifelong learning
- Understand how your pup learns and responds
- Help your pup build confidence in various environments
Continue your pup's journey to becoming a well-mannered companion.
What's included and what you'll learn
Ages 5 months to 1 year. $300 for the 5-week series, including 1 small-dog social.
What's included
- Small class sizes (max 6-8 dogs)
- 5-week progressive curriculum
- Small-dog social required to receive the S.T.A.R. Puppy title
- Positive reinforcement methods
- Training handouts and videos
The S.T.A.R. curriculum
- SSocialization
- Positive experiences in new environments, with new people and animals
- TTraining
- Power of positive reinforcement and laying foundations
- AActivity
- Games and daily routines to keep pups active and content
- RResponsibility
- What it takes to be a responsible pet parent
Your take-home kit
- Bait bag
- Training clicker
- Weekly homework assignments
- Training handouts
- Bag of high-value treats
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate (upon completion)
The foundation of responsible dog ownership
A key component of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is a responsible owner. Responsibility should start the moment you decide to add a new dog or puppy to your family.
S.T.A.R. stands for socialization, training, activity, and responsibility: the four things every puppy needs to start life right.
The AKC CGC Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge
I will be responsible for my dog's health needs
- Routine veterinary care including check-ups and vaccines
- Adequate nutrition through proper diet; clean water at all times
- Daily exercise and regular bathing and grooming
I will be responsible for my dog's safety
- I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate, not letting my dog run loose, and using a leash in public
- I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification when appropriate (which may include collar tags, tattoos, or microchip ID)
- I will provide adequate supervision when my dog and children are together
I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others
- I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood
- I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by barking while in the yard, in a hotel room, etc.
- I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog's waste in all public areas such as on the grounds of hotels, on sidewalks, parks, etc.
- I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog's waste in wilderness areas, on hiking trails, campgrounds and in off-leash parks
I will be responsible for my dog's quality of life
- I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs
- I will give my dog attention and playtime
- I understand that owning a dog is a commitment in time and caring
20 steps to success: the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test
Owner behaviors (steps 1-6)
- Maintains puppy's health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
- Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge
- Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
- Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC approved CGC evaluator
- Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
- Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy (collar tag, etc.)
Puppy behaviors (steps 7-11)
- Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
- Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
- Tolerates collar or body harness of owner's choice
- Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
- Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy
Pre-Canine Good Citizen test (steps 12-20)
- Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
- Grooming: allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
- Walks on a leash: follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
- Walks by other people: walks on leash past other people 5 ft away
- Sits on cue: owner may use a food lure
- Down on cue: owner may use a food lure
- Comes to owner from 5 ft when name is called
- Reaction to distractions: distractions are presented 15 ft away
- Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)
Younger sibling at home? Try a social
For puppies under 18 weeks (small breeds) or 16 weeks (large breeds). Saturdays at 10:00 am, 50 minutes, $35 per session.
All classes and socials are located at 2121 Taraval St, San Francisco.
Common questions about Puppy Kindergarten 201
What age is Puppy Kindergarten 201 for?
How is Kindergarten 201 different from Preschool 101?
How many dogs are in each Kindergarten class?
Can my puppy earn a S.T.A.R. Puppy title?
What if my puppy hasn't taken Preschool 101?
Ready for what's next? Explore CGC classes after Kindergarten.
Build on the foundation
Kindergarten takes your puppy further: steadier manners, sharper focus, and skills that hold up around real-world distractions. Positive reinforcement, every session.
Ready to advance your puppy's training?
Join our Puppy Kindergarten 201 and continue building on your puppy's success.