Puppy School: Is It Worth It? (Everything You Need to Know)
The short answer: Yes, puppy school is absolutely worth it — for most puppies and owners. The right puppy class offers much more than basic commands. It's an essential socialization opportunity during your puppy's most critical developmental window.
What Is Puppy School?
Puppy school (also called puppy class or puppy kindergarten) is a group training program for young dogs, typically for puppies between 8 and 16 weeks old. Classes usually run for 6-8 weeks with weekly sessions of 45-60 minutes.
What puppies learn in puppy school:
- Basic commands (sit, stay, down, come)
- Leash walking basics
- Socialization with other puppies and people
- How to handle common situations calmly
- Bite inhibition reinforcement
The Key Benefit: Socialization
The period between 3 and 16 weeks is your puppy's prime socialization window. Experiences — good and bad — during this phase shape your dog's personality for life.
Puppy school provides:
- Safe, supervised interaction with other dogs
- Positive encounters with strangers
- Exposure to new sounds, surfaces, and situations
- A structured environment for learning social rules
A puppy that misses the socialization window is much harder to train later. Puppy school during this period is invaluable.
What to Look for in a Good Puppy School
1. Positive reinforcement only
The trainer should use reward-based methods exclusively. No punishment, no choke chains, no fear-based training. If you see these, leave immediately.
2. Small group sizes
Ideal class size: 6-8 puppies maximum. Larger groups mean less individual attention and more chaos.
3. Vaccinations required
A good puppy school requires proof of vaccinations before puppies can attend. This protects all dogs in the class.
4. Structured but fun
The best classes balance learning with play. Overly rigid classes aren't appropriate for young puppies.
How Much Does Puppy School Cost?
Group classes typically cost €80-200 for a complete course (6-8 sessions). Individual lessons run €50-150 per hour.
Online puppy school programs are an alternative, often at lower cost (€20-100 for a complete course). The Hundeo app offers structured puppy training at home for a fraction of the cost.
Is Puppy School Necessary?
It's not legally required, but it's highly recommended. If you can't attend a physical puppy school:
- Arrange regular playdates with vaccinated puppies
- Take your puppy to puppy-friendly events and places
- Use structured at-home training programs
The goal is socialization and learning — puppy school is just one excellent way to achieve it.
