Puppy University
Enrollment
- Ages: 5-9 months.
- Tuition: $319.
- Class supply list.
- Week 1 is Mandatory Orientation 6p-9pm (NO dogs).
- Weeks 2-7 meet at 7:15-8:15pm.
- **Registration opens 2 weeks before starting**
- Join the waitlist (via Schedule button) to be notified first!
Class Bonuses!
Swag
Certificate & digitally framed graduation photo!
Practice Guide
Detailed, achievable goals!
Photo Album
Download free class photos of your journey!
Priority Access
your next class is saved—with a discount!
Online Library
Full-length books & information pages!
Newsletter
In-depth exploration of class topics & more.
Training for your dog's life-stage.
Owner Education
100%
Confidence
80%
Behavior
80%
Health & Husbandry
95%
Socialization
50%
Course outline
- Reliable recall from the start!
- Nail trims done in class!
- Stay calm for vet visits, emergencies, and handling!
- Tune out barking triggers before they become habits!
- Calm behavior around kids, dogs, cats, and chaos!
- Relax on cue with proven calmness conditioning!
- Build confidence through obstacle desensitization!
- Avoid issues such as separation anxiety, reactivity, and resource guarding!
- Confident responses to scary sounds such as thunder and fireworks!
- Courage in new environments!
- Crate training with fun, proven crate games!
- Prevention strategies for anxiety, reactivity, and aggression!
- And more!
Class Photos
AKC's S.T.A.R. Puppy
This class includes the S.T.A.R. Puppy program in this course.
Owner Behaviors:
- 1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy).
- 2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge.
- 3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan.
- 4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.
- 5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy.
- 6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.
Puppy Behaviors:- 7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class.
- 8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class.
- 9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice.
- 10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size).
- 11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy.
Pre-Canine Good Citizen® Test Behaviors:- 12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner.
- 13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet).
- 14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps).
- 15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away.
- 16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure.
- 17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure.
- 18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called.
- 19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away.
- 20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns).
Reviews!
Jean Marie
Amazing wealth of knowledge! After 53 years on earth with plenty of pet dogs in my lifetime, I can still be taught new tricks.
Marti Camp Lauer
You know that saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Well Barb at The Thinking K9 has proved over and over again that it’s not true!
Haley Jonesberry
She is also extremely informative and never made me feel stupid if I had questions or if my dog(s) were struggling to grasp something. … She is fantastic and is always willing to go the extra mile.
Peggy Kures
I never realized the importance of socializing a puppy like this class provided. We are scheduled for the next level puppy class and looking forward to it !
Emily Nobles
Luke was extremely shy and timid. We decided to take a class with him to try to boost his confidence. He is now midway through his second program, and we have noticed a huge change already! No matter your dog’s personality/needs, I think TTK9 has something great to offer.
Savannah Shortess
Barbara provides an environment where it is safe for you and your puppy to make mistakes (it will happen)!! Barbara provides an excellent opportunity for both you and your puppy to learn and grow together as a team.
Lisa & Terry
I cannot say enough about the experience my pup Myka and I have had here. It’s like trying to describe the Grand Canyon…. You have to experience it to appreciate it.
Amanda Jo
I feel much more connected to my dog and his behavior is drastically improved! Thanks so much for a great experience!
Margo Marilyn
Despite reading all the training books and trying on my own for 2 years, I was never able to get my dog to truly settle down and listen. A few weeks with Barb and that all changed! He’s still energetic, but she helped me understand why he was struggling and gave me all the tools...
Matt Jones & Vinnie
I have owned and trained German Shepherds for over 25 years. Barbara at The Thinking K9 is without a doubt the best trainer I have ever come across in those 25 years.
Cindy Mason Busch
Over the years I have trained multiple dogs with a variety of a trainers, the Thinking K9 is by far the best. There is a difference between working with a volunteer instructor and someone who is trained and certified as a trainer. If you are looking for a certified Trainer who teaches in a positive...
Angela Sievers
I appreciate the consistency and positive reinforcement approach to training. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and they make learning fun! … I was immediately put at ease. My confidence grew right along with my puppy’s.
Charles & Mr. P Conley
I recommend Barbara and her training classes to anyone and everyone that is looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and non judgmental trainer and a very clean training facility!
Erin K
Barbara is the most well versed trainer in town. She has an extensive education and continues to pursue dog training knowledge to ensure her clients are getting the most cutting edge (& humane) techniques. She comes the the table with multiple solutions to problems and ensures the training plan fits the dog and the owner...
Priscilla Peterson
The best thing about the class is the incredible bonding experience it was for my dog and I! Theo (my dog) would get an immediate calm going there. He made so much eye contact with me.
Heather Moore
We have done the virtual Starlet class and while I wasn’t sure how much help a virtual class would be I knew it would be better than I could do on my own. I am happy to say I can’t believe how much we’ve learned and that I have already signed up for the next...
Jeff Sorensen
Barbara is genuine, honest, intelligent, and makes you feel like you and your dog are important and valued.
Deborah Theisen
Rarely in life do you cross paths with someone that both loves and lives what they do! And it’s evident here at The Thinking K9. Barb is a phenomenal dog trainer that keeps up with current techniques, works with you and your dog through all challenges and gives back to the community in many ways....
DeAnna Wallace
I have never learned so much in a short period of time. … Her place of business is so clean and she has so much to offer the dogs.
Roxanne Hemmerling
She made me feel good about what I have done with my dog regarding his training so far, and that I am not a failure.
Rhoda Cattau
In all honesty, I gained more than Eliza did! Learning how to work together, having fun ways to interact with each other, have enriched our relationship.
Chad Flanders
The knowledge that they have and pass along is phenomenal. Their positive and upbeat demeanor is so helpful during the classes. My dog adores all of them. Kudos to them.
Kim Bauer
Instructors were friendly and very helpful. Very open to questions and helping with any behavior issues you may be dealing with.
Jennifer Carew
This school was highly recommended by our Vet, and we are so glad we listened to them! Our Golden Retriever just graduated Elite Puppy and she is absolutely thriving.
K H
My husband and I have learned so much about dog psychology, positive reinforcement, and techniques to help our dog with her training. Our dog knew the way to The Thinking K9. She would get so excited as we drove nearer and pulled in the parking lot. Once out of the car, our dog couldn’t wait...
Tammy Cullen
Barb is an excellent communicator with humans as well as canines. She will welcome your questions and concerns with informative answers.
MC Countess of Falkenstein
We have been to other trainers over the years. Comparing our experiences between them- like day and night! Teaching K9 behavioral processes and health, how to keep them happy and get the best out of them, something other places miss out on.
John Jones
There have been a few session where due to scheduling I have taken my dogs to other facilities and I sincerely mean it when I say they just don’t compare. Barb truly loves what she does, she quickly learns not just your dogs personality but yours as well. … Furthermore Barbs personality fosters an environment...
Chris Brandt
I have had 30 years of Viszlas and lots of training so I knew what to expect. However Barbara’s classes were more detailed, more informative, and very professional. … She is amazing with dogs!!
Matthew Jones
Barbara’s classes are interactive, organized, very personable, and just plain fun. She invests a significant amount of time, effort, and money into all the things necessary to make her classes great (like an unbelievable amount of equipment!).
Myka & Terry
Dedicated, professional, knowledgeable, sincere, caring, fun and respectful. My concept of training with a dog has completely changed. I have grown as a person and as a dog companion.
Terry Zahn
I have not been able to find a question or concern that these folks have not answered. Knowledge is king, or in this case Queen, and the expertise and proficiency they offer is unmatched in my experience.
Lisa M. Zahn
I am nowhere near as frustrated as I have been with past puppies. I have learned a new, better way to train with a puppy. This “Old-Dog” is still learning!