pupDOGS Training, LLC

pupDOGS Training offers a variety of programs for puppies and adult dogs, delivered through group classes, private home visits, and online sessions. Group classes are held at the Wag’n Woofs Daycare in Eden Prairie, MN.

Puppy programs include “Puppy Introduction,” a prerequisite online class focusing on socialization, followed by “Beginner Puppy” for ages 8-18 weeks and “Tweener Puppy” for ages 19 weeks to 8 months. These classes cover play biting, house training, chewing, proper socialization, confidence building, and foundational skills like attention, leash walks, and recall.

Adult dog classes include “Real Life Manners” for dogs 8 months and older, focusing on foundational skills like polite greetings, loose-leash walking, and recall. “Canine Good Citizens” is for graduates of Real Life Manners, preparing dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. “Walk as a Team” is for graduates of any pupDOGS class, meeting at local parks to practice leash skills in real-life contexts.

Private training is tailored to individual needs for puppies and dogs of all ages, addressing common manners like jumping, pulling on leash, and barking, as well as serious behavior concerns such as anxiety, aggression, fear, and resource guarding. Initial Behavior Consultations are typically held online to ensure the dog’s comfort and focus, followed by customized training sessions.

Pricing Summary

For private training, an Initial Behavior Consultation (90 minutes) costs $200 for home visits and $150 for online. Subsequent 60-minute training sessions are $150 for home visits ($425 for a package of 3) and $110 for online ($315 for a package of 3). A Puppy Jumpstart package for puppies under 6 months is available for $350 (home visits) or $300 (online) for three one-hour sessions. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of scheduling private training, with the remainder due at the appointment.

Group classes are priced as follows: Puppy Introduction (1-hour online class) is $20. Beginner Puppy and Tweener Puppy classes (six consecutive one-hour classes) are $130 each. Adult dog classes like Real Life Manners and Canine Good Citizens (six consecutive one-hour classes) are $150 each. Walk as a Team (four consecutive one-hour classes) is $150. Full payment is required to reserve a space in group classes. Cash, checks, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Policies

For group classes, full payment is required to reserve a spot, and no refunds are given for cancellations within 14 days of the class start date. Class sizes are kept small, with a maximum of 8 dogs. There are no make-up classes for missed sessions, but homework is provided. Dogs showing aggression or being disruptive may be dismissed without a refund. All dogs must be current on vaccinations as recommended by their veterinarian; puppies under four months need their first set at least 72 hours prior to class, and dogs over four months need at least two distemper combinations, rabies, and bordetella vaccinations. Dogs must be free of communicable diseases to attend.

For private training, cancellations or rescheduling must be made no less than 48 hours in advance; otherwise, the client will be billed the normal appointment fee. In the event of bad weather, for both group and private sessions, clients will be contacted to reschedule, or an additional class session will be added.

pupDOGS Training, LLC is a dog training business founded in 2009 by Susan Ward, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA). Susan focuses on educating both dog owners and their dogs, believing that owners are key to their dogs’ training success. She combines her degree in education and post-college schooling in animal behavior to teach people how to bring out the best in their dogs.

The business specializes in helping owners with companion dogs, addressing issues from severe anxiety and aggression to foundational puppy training. They welcome every breed and mix, small or large, and dogs of all ages. Susan uses humane, gentle, fear-free, force-free, and reward-based techniques, including clicker training, to build relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

Susan has 25 years of experience as a professional dog trainer and continuously enhances her skills by attending conferences with top animal behavior experts and training other species. Her husband, Rob, assists in group classes. pupDOGS Training offers private training, home visits, online training, and group classes for puppies and adult dogs.

Accomplishments

Susan Ward is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA). She holds a degree in education and post-college schooling in animal behavior. With 25 years of experience as a professional dog trainer, Susan has worked with thousands of dogs. She continuously updates her knowledge by frequently attending conferences and learning opportunities with the world’s top animal behavior experts.

How to Get Started!

To begin group classes, clients can register online, with full payment required to reserve a space. For puppy classes, the “Puppy Introduction” online class is a prerequisite before starting “Beginner Puppy” or “Tweener Puppy” classes.

For private training, an Initial Behavior Consultation (90 minutes) is typically recommended. This consultation, usually held online, helps Susan understand the challenges, assess behavior, set goals, and begin foundational skills. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of scheduling. The “Puppy Jumpstart” package for puppies under 6 months does not require an initial consultation.