Glossary

Puppy kindergarten

An early group class where young puppies learn basic manners and meet other puppies and people in a supervised setting.

Also called: puppy class, puppy preschool, puppy socialization class, puppy school

Puppy kindergarten is a class designed for puppies, usually starting from about 8 to 12 weeks and running until about 5 or 6 months. Good classes combine supervised play, gentle handling practice and the first steps of training such as sit, come and walking on a leash.

Its main value is socialization during the sensitive early weeks, when puppies take in new experiences most easily. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior supports starting classes as early as 7 to 8 weeks, before a puppy has finished all its vaccines, provided each puppy has had its first vaccines and the class is clean and sets health requirements. Ask your veterinarian first.

It is not a place for free-for-all play. A good instructor matches puppies by size and temperament, interrupts bullying and rewards calm behavior. It leads on to basic obedience classes for older puppies.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Socialization Exposing a young dog to a wide range of people, animals, places and sounds in a positive way so that new things do not frighten it. Critical socialization period The early weeks of a puppy's life, roughly 3 to 12 weeks, when it learns most easily to accept new people, animals and places. Basic obedience The core manners most pet dogs are taught, usually sit, down, stay, come, walking nicely on a leash and leave it. Bite inhibition A dog's learned ability to control the force of its mouth, which puppies normally acquire through play with littermates and people.