First Puppy K is FREE!
You’ve never seen a puppy class like ours.
This one-of-a-kind, carefully designed, class and curriculum is guaranteed to improve your dog’s confidence, sociability, and trainability.
We believe so strongly in the importance of early socialization that your first class is FREE with the code 1STDAYOFSCHOOL
📍Clickstart Campus @ 22485 El Toro Road, Lake Forest CA 92630
Schedule your first free class
1STDAYOFSCHOOL
Educated • Ethical • Effective
At Clickstart, we’re passionate about helping dogs and their guardians thrive at every stage of life. Based in Orange County, we combine hands-on experience with science-backed, ethical training to create a fun, stress-free environment for you and your pup.
By grounding our curriculum in positive reinforcement, we’re able to strengthen the bond between you and your dog—because happy pups make happy homes!
Pre-Requisites
Puppy is 9 - 16 weeks old
Has at least one round of vaccinations
Has a clean bill of health from veterinarian
Not yet going on walks!
What We Cover:
Everything your puppy needs to earn their AKC STAR Puppy Title!
with other puppies (exploration and play time!
to fun novel objects (agility tunnels, ball pits, platforms, and more)
to everyday objects (vacuum, umbrellas, hats, glasses, and more)
to sounds (fireworks, thunder, dogs barking, kids yelling, etc.)
to handling and grooming equipment
Introduction to basic clicker training. Your puppy will learn:
Their name, recall cues, how to settle, sit & down, leash walking foundation skills and more.
Behavior Problem Prevention. You will learn ways to prevent:
Jumping, barking, pulling on leash, counter surfing, and resource guarding.
Trainer Q&As for at-home troubleshooting. Ask us about your plans for:
Potty training, independence or home-alone training, sleeping, preventing biting and more!
Why choose us?
Our Puppy Kindergarten curriculum was created by co-founders Cassie Pestana and Liv Healy, both multi-certified behavior consultants and dog trainers. The curriculum is based off a combination of highly regarded resources including:
Puppy Start Right program
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
Control Unleashed Puppy Program
Every trainer on the Clickstart team is a puppy raising expert with years of experience managing puppy play, troubleshooting puppy woes, and effectively teaching new skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our classes are designed for puppies under 16 weeks of age, per the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position statement on early puppy socialization.
To ensure the safety of all participants, we require that your puppy is home from the breeder with no signs of illness for at least 7 days. We also require proof of their first round of vaccinations administered by a veterinarian. We disinfect the training space and all props with a veterinary-grade parvocide before every class and we have all participants disinfect their shoes before entering the classroom.
Our class is vet-approved and even vet-attended with their own puppies! Please share this information with your vet to seek approval to attend. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of early socialization.
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You will have your own fenced area to play and train with your puppy. This is your puppy’s home base or safe space to return to at anytime. It also allows training to take place off leash.
Throughout class, your puppy will be invited into the large exploration area where they will be free to explore novel objects, interact with other puppies, play, and run.
Our class is not a free-for-all. Every moment of socializing is carefully observed and curated in order to guarantee that your puppy only grows in confidence.
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Our class is designed to give you all of the tools for a smoothest puppyhood possible using the latest positive reinforcement strategies. In addition to socialization and troubleshooting common puppy woes, this class covers:
Settling around distractions
Introduction to leash walking
Sit & Down
Name recognition & eye contact
Recall or come when called
Introduction to grooming and handling procedures
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Your puppy needs to complete 6 classes total to be eligible for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test! On your last day of class you will receive the test and upon passing, you will receive your ribbon and AKC paperwork.
Every puppy graduate receives their Clickstart certificate and ribbon, regardless of whether or not they take the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Test.
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Then your pup is the perfect age for our Puppy Elementary class! Now that your pup is fully vaccinated and exploring their world, it is no longer safe to have them in Kindergarten. Elementry School focuses on age-appropriate training and continued socialization.
What People Are Saying
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Communication was top-notch and the final outcome was even better than we imagined. A great experience all around.
— Former Customer
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Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.
— Former Customer
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Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome, and have already recommended them to others.
— Former Customer