S.OCIALIZATION
T.RAINING
A.CTIVITY
R.ESPONSIBILITY

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an excellent first in-person training class for puppies. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy provides a good lead-in to earning the Canine Good Citizen title.
The Benefits of Training
Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program.
How It Works
Attend an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class for at least 6 weeks. Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the program including purebreds and mixed breeds.
Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (for display or memento purposes; not suitable as a collar tag). You and your puppy will be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can continue learning, you’ll receive our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that includes:
A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC
Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC. This includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes.
Pre-class for C.G.C. (Canine Good Citizen) Test:
The skills on the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program are “pre-CGC” skills. However, dogs do not have to take the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test in order to take the CGC test. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program was developed as the result of ongoing requests from owners and evaluators to have a program before CGC that was designed for puppies. CGC is considered the test of good manners for dogs. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is all about encouraging
owners to take their puppies to a beginning class. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is the very beginning in training. While attending puppy class is an excellent first step for owners, it should be understood that completing one puppy class will not provide a sufficient level of training for therapy work and other special applications that are typically seen with the CGC Program.
What Your Puppy Will Learn In This Class:
Free of aggression toward people
Free of aggression toward other puppies
Tolerates collar, harness (owner choice)
Owner can hug or hold puppy
Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy
Allows petting by someone other than the owner
Grooming (owner handles ears, feet)
Walks on a leash—follows owner in straight line
Walks by other people
Sits on cue (owner can use food)
Down on cue (owner can use food)
Comes to owner from 5 ft.
Reaction to distractions
Stay on leash with another person
The Lifetime Benefits of Puppy Training:
Training is an essential part of owning a dog and can be started at any age. Training builds confidence, provides mental stimulation and strengthens the human-animal bond. Dogs are always learning. It is never too late to start training, but the benefits of starting training a dog as a puppy are tremendous, as it is always easy to train the correct behaviors than retrain or eliminate unwanted behaviors later in life!

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