Puppy Headstart (drop-in classes)
The most important time in your puppy's life is from the day she comes into your home until she is sixteen weeks old. This is when she needs to become familiar with new sights, smells, sounds, people, and other experiences. The more positive interactions your pup has with the world during this critical period, the more able she will be to cope with whatever the world throws at him as a dog. This class is an opportunity for new puppy "parents" to start their babies out on the right paw by introducing this important socialization in a safe environment.
An East Bay SPCA instructor will guide exercises in handling, family interactions, manners, new experiences, and more. Short, controlled play sessions with other puppies as well as occasional visits from carefully selected adult dogs will help your pup understand what being a dog is all about, without becoming overwhelmed. A Puppy Headstart punch card is good for five sessions.
No class on the following dates: 2/16, 3/22, 5/24, 7/5, 8/30, 11/19, 12/27/08.
Ages: 9-week to 16-week-old puppies only.
Prerequisites: None
Vaccinations: Your puppy must have received his or her first two DHPP vaccinations.
Fee: Regular Rate: $125 for 5-session punch card
Discounted Rate: $75 if you adopted from a shelter or rescue group
Puppy Kindergarten (5-week course)
Puppy Kindergarten is designed for older puppies who need to begin learning good manners. These classes cover puppy obedience, puppy socialization, and basic manners. A foundation is laid for successful learning, enhancing the owner-puppy bond as the puppy grows up and becomes a well-behaved adult.
The course is a five week course. The first class is a mandatory orientation, meeting without the dog. The following four classes meet with the dog.
Ages: 4 months old to 8 months old only
Prerequisites: None
Vaccinations: Your puppy must have received his or her first two DHPP vaccinations and Rabies.
Fee: Regular Rate: $125 for 5-week class
Discounted Rate: $75 if you adopted from a shelter or rescue group
Puppy Pre-School (4-week course)
Please read the class description for "Puppy Headstart." Puppy Pre-School offers the same experiences but is a four-week course curriculum. It is held once a week on Sundays (TV and Oakland) for four consecutive weeks.
An East Bay SPCA instructor will guide exercises in handling, family interactions, manners, new experiences, and more. Short, controlled play sessions with other puppies as well as occasional visits from carefully selected adult dogs will help your pup understand what being a dog is all about, without becoming overwhelmed.
Bonus for Puppy Pre-School Enrollees: Receive two free "Puppy Headstart" drop-in sessions, held on Saturdays, with each Puppy Pre-School enrollment.
Ages: 9-weeks-old to 16 weeks-old.
Prerequisites: None.
Vaccinations: Your puppy must have his first two DHPP vaccinations.
Fee: Regular Rate: $125 for 4-week class
Discounted Rate: $75 if you adopted from a shelter or rescue group
The course is a five week course. All five classes meet with dog.
Ages: 6 months and up
Prerequisites: Obedience One, Small Dog, Puppy Kindergarten or equivalent
Vaccinations: Your dog must be current on DHLPP and Rabies.
Fee: Regular Rate: $125 for 5-week class
Discounted Rate: $75 if you adopted from a shelter or rescue group
Private Classes/Evaluations
Does your dog do better without other dogs around? Do you prefer to have one-on-one attention or does your schedule not allow for one of our group classes? A private class one-hour class with one of our trainers may be the solution. The class is geared specifically to your needs.
If your dog or puppy is exhibiting behaviors that you don't understand or are not comfortable with, a half-hour evaluation may help. A trainer will observe your dog and make recommendations for training, as well as what classes are appropriate for your dog.
Behavioral Evaluations/Consultations or obedience + behavior:
1st session: $30 Must be done at the EBSPCA. No exceptions except disability.
Evaluator will determine whether comfortable taking on case, give estimate of time, amount of work needed, approximate number of sessions/public classes, any exercises needed to begin behavior modification work at next session if relevant. No actual behavior modification guidelines or procedures will be given at this time.
All follow up sessions:
At EBSPCA
60 minute -- $65
30 minute -- $35
Off site follow up sessions:$100
Off site sessions will only be done if trainer deems necessary for modification work, owner is disabled, other outstanding circumstances.
Private Sessions for Obedience Only:
No initial $30 session.
60 minutes -- $65
Off site sessions--$100
Off site sessions will only be done for trail manners, other location specific obedience work that can not be practiced at SPCA, disabled clients, other outstanding circumstances.
For more information email 
