WHAT is Day School?
This is not your typical dog daycare!  SF Puppy Prep is an all day training and socialization experience exclusively for young puppies at the most critical time in their development. We equip your pup with everything they need to be a confident, relaxed, well-mannered dog who you will be proud to take anywhere.   ​

 How we SOCIALIZE puppies
Safe socialization has been our number one priority since our inception in 2004. We place puppies in small playgroups with other puppies of similar size, temperament, and play style.

In each group, a puppy counselor closely supervises and interacts with the puppies for the duration of the playgroup.

We gently train appropriate play with positive reinforcement, using toys, food, praise and touch. Puppies in our care take naps in their crates while counselors take their breaks, sanitize, and prepare for the next playgroup.
 
Each day we have an additional socialization theme, and a primary training objective.

​Socialization themes involve novel sights, sounds, and textures. For example, a skateboard, vacuum, umbrella, tarp, noisemaking toys, etc.

Training objectives (in addition to play skills training), involve basic manners such as coming when called, hand targeting, sit, down, stay, drop it, etc.

Appropriate play:  consensual and includes frequent play breaks, role-reversals and activity shifting; puppy body language is primarily loose, wiggly, and bouncy.

Why You’ll LOVE it
Dayschool is the perfect solution if you’re short on time or feeling frustrated with an over energetic puppy. Let us take on the tough stuff so you and your puppy can share quality time that’s frustration-free and loads of fun! Your pup will learn in leaps and bounds. 

We get them hooked on training by mixing it with play and making it fun. They will fly over the the hardest hurdles of puppyhood: biting and mouthing, crate-training, and learn how to self entertain and relax when left alone.  

Significantly reduce the likelihood of common behavioral pitfalls. Separation anxiety, resource guarding , under-socialization, fear, and aggression are just some of the potential problems that can be avoided by investing in your pup’s early education. 

Puppies build confidence through our socialization program that helps them accept new experiences in a positive way.  And, we support you as well as your puppy with coaching on dealing with all of the challenges of puppyhood: nipping, house-training, crate training, barking, and more.

How it WORKS
Our day in school is structured so that your pup has the right combination of training, play-time and chill-out time. 
Each school term lasts a minimum of 4 weeks with the option of a 5 ($2300) or 3 ($1505) day a week schedule.  
You drop off your pup between 7:30-9:00 and pick up between 2:30-3:00pm. (We realize that this window is not ideal for some clients, so please let us know if you’d like a referral to a pet taxi service!)

You will receive an INCLUDED initial puppy consultation—a 60 minute session to help you puppy proof and put together a solid management schedule. We’ll help you troubleshoot and give you a toolkit of techniques and training exercises to get you off to a great start. 

Please note: We limit our intake to guarantee that each pup gets the individual attention they need during this sensitive learning stage, so enroll today and save your spot!

​Because there is such a short socialization window it is vital to begin training your pup as early as possible, even before they are fully vaccinated.  ​

Sign up here!

Before we can admit your puppy you must have:

• Brought your puppy home 1 week prior to starting
• Completed a wellness check with a local veterinarian and have confirmed puppy is in full health
• Confirmed your puppy is under the age of 20 weeks on their start date
• Emailed proof of the following vaccinations, each administered at least 3 days prior to starting school to [email protected] : 
  • One round minimum DHPP/DAPP/DHLPP ((Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, ParaInfluenza). This is standard at most veterinarian practices.)
  • Bordetella vaccine (Commonly known as kennel cough. It may or may not be standard practice at your vet clinic. Please speak with your vet about appropriate timing, letting them know your puppy school requires it. Some vets will wait to administer this later if they do not know the puppy plans to attend dayschool!
  • One round minimum Canine Influenza - Recommended (must be Bivalent - covering H3N2 & H3N8 strains.  This vaccine is NOT standard issue. Please be certain to discuss it’s requirement with your veterinarian for puppy school.)​