"Thank you for your interest in THE RIGHT STEPS Senior Puppy Training Classes!"

These classes have been designed to help you obtain the best possible puppy! The early months of life are crucial to your puppy’s development, both physically and mentally. These classes focus on teaching puppy owners positive methods of getting the behavior they want.  Classes are for all size and breeds of puppies (both mixed and pure bred and from toy, small, medium, large, to giant sized breeds).

Junior Puppy Class - Junior Puppy Classes are for puppies between the ages of 16 weeks and 32 weeks at the start of the first class. These classes run for 6 weeks.  See Additional Class Information below, for further details, of what you will learn in these classes. 

These classes include an optional 'complimentary' 20-25 minute off leash puppy playtime.  These play sessions are encouraged.  

Dates, Times, Applications, Liability Release, & Further Details:  Please see below for further details.

Upcoming Schedules Available:

Additional Class Information & Details:

Owner education is provided on positive solutions to problem puppy behavior (examples: play biting, jumping, house training, leadership, learn what motivates puppies, and much more).  Attention, eye contact and name recognition form the base for teaching behaviors such as sit, come, stand, down (from a sit and from a stand), stay (both sit and down stay), walk on a loose leash, and heel. In class we use a "Reward Mark" (a word) in place of using a "Clicker".  However, Clicker information will be provided to get students who are interested in Clicker Training started.  Karen Pryor's New i-Click Clickers are available for sale at our Training Facility.  Owners are educated on the importance of balancing a proper exercise program along with teaching their puppy how to chill (2 important pieces to a creating a puppy you, your family, and others can enjoy).

Training begins by using hand signals first, once puppy fully understands the hand signal and owners are standing in a normal upright position, verbal cues are then added.  This enables owners to give their verbal cues once, versus repeat cues that the puppy would learn to ignore.  We teach owners to be able to get and maintain their puppy's attention with distractions.  Owners are taught how to use rewards (treats, toys, play, and praise) properly to motivate their puppy.  The 20-25 minute off leash play time is encouraged to give puppies a chance to learn how to play appropriately, learn bite inhibition while playing, and help owners begin to see appropriate and not appropriate play.  

Please Note:  The "complimentary" Group Play Session is for nice playing puppies.  These play sessions are meant to promote nice and appropriate play for the bulk of the puppies in class.  "It is all about the positive experience!"  Puppies who play too rough &/or become aggressive will be pulled from the complimentary play sessions ~ Trainer decision is final (reminder Clients are paying for the Group Class time, not the playtime.  No refunds).

No people or dog aggressive puppies are allowed in puppy group classes.  Puppies found to have aggression issues (either dog or people) will be pulled from the Sr. Puppy Class and additional training options will be referred.

Children Ages 10 Years & Older: Well-behaved children age 10 years and older are encouraged to take part in training with the family and their dog with parental supervision at all times.  See Facility Rules for further details in full. 

For families with young children age 9 years and younger and/or childcare issues we do offer Private Lessons by appointment for both puppies and dogs and their families.   Standard Private Lesson Fee applies.

Location: The Right Steps Training Facility 6247 Main Ave in Orangevale. The facility is located just north of Greenback on the west side of Main Ave, next to Moule's Lakeview Glass. Click for Directions

We will require the name of your Veterinarian to be able to call and confirm vaccine status.  Written proof (copies I may keep of Veterinarian Receipts) to verify puppies vaccines are required prior to the puppy coming to class.  Sr. Puppies must be current on all vaccines.  Puppies 5 months and older must provide proof of Rabies Certificate. Bordetella is "highly" recommended every 6 months, to avoid the contact and/or spread of the Kennel Cough Virus. 

Puppy "must" have had been seen by your Vet. Office (an exam) prior to puppy coming to class (even if have proof of vaccines given by Breeder &/or the Breeder's Vet.) ~ this is to insure healthy pups entering the facility for safety of all.

Facility Rules

Fees: Senior Puppy Class - the cost for a six-week session is $125.00 Cash or Check or PayPal.

Please note we welcome and encourage potential Clients to call and speak with the Trainer prior to signing up for a class, come and visit a class in session, &/or sign up for one of our "Free Seminars" on Positive Solutions to Problem Puppy Behavior.  By taking advantage of any one or all of these offers, clients are able to make an educated decision well in advance if The Right Steps Puppy Classes are right for them and their puppy.

Due to the small class size (maximum 7 puppies per class) to allow for individualized help, sign-ups are in advance and payment is required to hold your place. Cash or checks only please. "There are no refunds. Classes are not transferable". 

Please choose your Class Date and Time carefully as there are "no" free make up group class sessions offered.  For students who miss a week, the homework is sent out via e-mail, so the said student may keep up with the class.

The Right Steps reserves the right to refuse service.

For additional questions regarding the classes, please contact Cindy C Smith of ‘THE RIGHT STEPS’ AT (916) 966-6883 therightsteps@comcast.net .

Visit us at http://www.therightsteps.com

Applications may be mailed to: 

The Right Steps, P.O. Box 1717, Fair Oaks, CA, 95628