Puppy Kindergarten

First Puppy K is FREE!

Two women working with a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy in an indoor training area, with colorful dog-themed wall art and training equipment around.

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

This class is for puppies 9-16 weeks old and not yet going on walks!

📍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!

Schedule your free class

Pre-Requisites:

  • Puppy is 9 - 16 weeks old

  • Puppy has been home and healthy for at least one week

  • Has at least one round of vaccinations from a veterinarian

  • Has a clean bill of health (no lethargy, diarrhea, sneezing or vomiting)

  • Not yet going on walks!

    Please do not wait for your puppy to be fully vaccinated and going on walks or they will no longer be eligible for this early socialization class

What We Cover:

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.

Unlike other Puppy Kindergarten classes, this one is not a free-for-all. Introductions to other puppies are done slowly and thoughtfully to ensure no puppy gets overwhelmed. Your puppy will have their own safe enclosure to train in off-leash and will explore and play when they’re perfectly ready.

Schedule your free class

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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What Our Clients Say

  • "Cassie and Liv have created something truly special with Clickstart Training Academy. "

    — Tanvi A.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on Yelp

  • "I had tried two other puppy kindergarten programs over the years, but Clickstart was by far the best one. The difference was night and day."

    — Di W.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on Yelp

  • "We enrolled our puppy, Chai, with Clickstart starting at nine weeks old. They consistently go out of their way to meet our specific puppy's needs."

    — Raina J.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on Yelp

Have more questions before signing up?

Schedule a free 15min Discovery Call or submit your question below: