Behavioral Development
Enrollment
Step 1:
Puppies up to 7 months
Program Structure:
- Sessions are 7 weeks total
- Week 1: Orientation 2.5 hours (no dogs)
- Weeks 2–7: One hour with dogs
- Class size: 4–8 puppies
- Class supply list
- New sessions begin every 8 weeks
What This Phase Is For
Behavioral Development is a developmental phase designed to shape how a puppy experiences the world—before resistance, fear, or conflict become default behavior. This is the earliest point at which behavior can be intentionally designed instead of repaired.
At this age, puppies are learning:
Behavioral Development focuses on how puppies process experience, not just how they respond to cues.
That distinction determines everything that comes later.
Why This Phase Exists
- handling becomes normal instead of stressful
- novelty becomes information instead of threat
- cooperation becomes default instead of negotiated
- Exploration becomes the norm instead of feared
- neurologically flexible
- forming default emotional responses
- building tolerance thresholds
- learning whether resistance works
Miss this window, and later training must undo patterns instead of refining them.
WHAT WE WORK ON
—> full-body handling
—> restraint tolerance
—> grooming preparation
—> live nail trims practiced in class This determines whether care becomes routine—or adversarial—later in life.
—> age appropriate agility equipment the last 15 min of class
—> sensory equipment: motion, surface, obstacles
—> sounds
—> puppy costumes, socks, and diapers
—> small critter exposure
—> unusual human accessories so silhouettes aren't scary
—> recover after excitement
—> disengage without frustration
This creates dogs who can pause, not just react.
—> age and personality appropriate. scaring a puppy in this phase of life is more likely to cause life-long fear.
—> owner focus during novelty
—> show puppies what they care caple of, building confidence
—> force-free socialization interactions. Force = fear.
—> recalls
—> sits, downs, stays
—> engagement
—> leash skills
—> small critter exposure
Obedience supports behavior—it does not create it.
Confidence is 99% obedience.
Nail trims in class!
S.T.A.R. Puppy
20 Steps to Success
Behavioral Development meets and exceeds the requirements for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy.
Puppies who are ready may earn:
—> AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certificate
—> AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal
These are acknowledgments—not the focus of the program.
The purpose of Behavioral Development is to build handling tolerance, regulation, and cooperation that make real-life training possible.
Credentials are contextual, never central.
Owner Behaviors:
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:
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:
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)