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Our New Drop-in Puppy Socialization & Training Program
JOIN THE GUEST LIST! Attend your first PAC for PUPS class for free. Open to puppies aged 8 - 23 weeks, and some adolescent and adult dogs upon approval. Please bring a completed PAC enrollment form and copy of vaccine proofs thus far to your first lesson, even for your complimentary visit. You can download the PAC Enrollment Form at the bottom of this page. Contact Bette for further details: (617) 966-4240.
A NOTE ABOUT VACCINES: Picture Perfect Pets follows the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Position Statement on Puppy Socialization: "In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class."
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SCHEDULE
The March/April 2009 PAC FOR PUPS Pilot Program Schedule is:
Sunday, 3/1 at 9:00 am led by Karen Martin
Sunday, 3/8 at 4:30 pm led by Bette Yip
Sunday, 3/15 at 4:30 pm led by Bette Yip
NO CLASSES ON 3/29 (Clicker Expo)
Sunday, 4/5 at 4:30 pm led by Bette Yip
NO CLASSES ON 4/12 (Easter)
Sunday, 4/19 at 4:30 pm led by Bette Yip
Sunday, 4/26 at 4:30 pm led by Bette Yip
If the Sunday 4:30 pm timeslot proves to be a popular one, we'll make that the regular PAC for PUPS slot, barring any holiday weekend or winter storm postponements, which will be announced on this site. When in doubt, please check for schedule updates online, or call Bette at (617) 966-4240.
Students enrolled in the PAC for PUPS program are also eligible to attend PAC for ALL DOGS. The current PAC for ALL DOGS schedule is as follows:
Mondays at 6:00 pm led by Bette Yip (this is a time change from the old 6:30 pm to the new 6:00 pm)
Fridays at 1:00 pm on 3/6, 3/13 & 3/27 led by Bette Yip (NO CLASS on Friday, 3/20)
(We will no longer have classes at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays)
In case of stormy weather, please visit the "WINTER WEATHER Schedule Updates" tab of this website, or call (617) 966-4240 to find out if class is still on.
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What is PAC for PUPS?
Our New Drop-in Puppy Socialization & Training Program
Many of you are already familiar with our PAC Drop In Classes for dogs of all ages. While puppies between the ages of 8 and 23 weeks are still welcome in regular PAC Classes, we now also offer PAC for PUPS drop in classes with a format designed specifically for the needs of puppies during their critical socialization and early learning period.
PAC for PUPS will serve as a practice ground of controlled distractions in which students can practice what they've learned in regular Puppy Perfect Level 1 classes while providing puppies plently of socialization opportunities and exercises involving other dogs and humans. PAC for PUPS lessons will include a strong emphasis on learning to read canine body language, and understanding when to intervene in play between dogs, when to let it continue and how to help our puppies hone their social skills in general.
We will also practice arousal level control, teaching puppies to have fun, but calm down and listen when asked. In addition, we'll be including exercises here and there for helping puppies learn to enjoy being groomed and handled by various humans, and we'll focus a great deal on using play as rewards. PAC for PUPS will be an excellent chance for you to deepen your own relationship with your pup, as well.
Although PAC for PUPS will be an important part of a puppy's schooling, it is only one piece of the puzzle. It is also important to take advantage of this stage in your puppy's life to lay the foundation for basics safety cues and manners that will help your dog live safely in a human world.
The ideal plan for a young pup's education is to join Puppy Perfect Level 1 for a solid introduction to the basics of dog training, to participate in PAC for PUPS for additional socialization and practice opportunities geared specifically towards the needs of puppies and to use private lessons here and there as needed to work on any goals that need more individualized attention along the way.
RATES
Session by session: $15 per visit, cash or check (payable to Picture Perfect Pets) at the door. Please submit your PAC Enrollment Form and a copy of vaccines done thus far either prior to or at the start of your first visit.
10-visit punch cards (good towards PAC for PUPS and PAC for ALL DOGS) are now on sale for $100, and may be paid for in class by cash or check (payable to Picture Perfect Pets), or purchased online using a charge card.
JOIN THE GUEST LIST! Attend your first PAC for PUPS class for free. Open to puppies aged 8 - 23 weeks, and by approval. Contact Bette for details: (617) 966-4240.
A NOTE ABOUT VACCINES: Picture Perfect Pets follows the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Position Statement on Puppy Socialization: "In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class."
TO ENROLL IN GROUP CLASSES 1. Click on the relevant link in the navigation bar (at the top left of this page) for private dog training lessons, group dog training courses in either our Arlington, MA or Boston,MA venues, the PAC Drop In Class dog training program at our Arlington, MA location or our Dogs & Storks in-home consultation and then click on the specific option you'd like to sign up for. You may pay your tuition online with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. If you prefer to pay by check, please click "other" as your payment method in the payment form and make a note in "comments" that you will be mailing your check; also let us know your dog's name and which program you'll be joining. Please note: tuition must be paid prior to the start of your course; tuition fees are non-refundable. 2. Submit your enrollment form and a copy of vaccine proofs before the start date of your dog training program.
Mailing address:
Picture Perfect Pets
11A Medford Street
Arlington, MA 02474
Fax: (781) 316-2589
Download an enrollment form here: enrollment_form.doc
Download a PAC Class (drop in dog training program) enrollment form here: PAC_membership_enrollment_form.doc
About Vaccines: ADULT DOGS: rabies and the distemper comb vaccines are requirements. Make sure your veterinarian knows your dog will be entering a group class environment, and follow their advice regarding the bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine. The bordetella vaccine is not a requirement for enrollment, but your veterinarian may recommend that your dog have this vaccine. PUPPIES: Picture Perfect Pets follows the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Position Statement on Puppy Socialization: "In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class." "...The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard for care of puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated." Please click here to read the full AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization including references to other resources along with additional advice on how to socialize a puppy. TO SIGN UP FOR PRIVATE DOG TRAINING Please contact Bette Yip regarding scheduling availability prior to paying for your private dog training online. Doggy Private School lessons are available at the Picture Perfect Pets dog training studio at 11A Medford Street in Arlington, MA and at Pawstonian, the dog daycare at 515 E. 2nd St. in Boston, MA. Private in home and on location lessons are available at the following locations and surrounding communities: Boston, MA | Cambridge, MA | Somerville, MA | Watertown, MA | Belmont, MA | Arlington, MA | Medford, MA | Winchester, MA | Lexington, MA.