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Always a great experience. Staff are dedicated to the dogs and are extremely helpful.
PUPPY PROGRAMS
Puppy Training in Scottsdale and Cave Creek
Start your puppy off right. Socialization, manners, and confidence from the team that has raised more than 70,000 dogs since 1997.
What Is the Best Way to Train a Puppy?
The best time to start is now. Early socialization and manners are far easier to build than bad habits are to undo. Partners Dogs offers puppy classes, private lessons, daily DaySchool, and an immersive Foundation Camp, so you can pick the level of help that fits your family and set your puppy up for a calm, confident life.
Family-owned since 1997. 70,000+ dogs trained. 4.8 stars across 2,000+ reviews. Puppies start at 20 weeks, fully vaccinated, at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek campuses.
Take the 2-minute puppy quiz See pricing Talk to a trainer, free
THE FIRST MONTHS MATTER MOST
The Window That Shapes Your Dog for Life
The habits your puppy builds before they turn one are the habits you live with for the next decade. Between 8 and 16 weeks, a puppy is neurologically primed to accept new dogs, people, sounds, and places, and the right experiences now dramatically lower the odds of fear, anxiety, and reactivity later.
The good news: you do not have to figure it out alone. Small classes, certified puppy specialists, and a clear plan take the guesswork out of those first months, so you raise the calm, confident dog you pictured when you brought them home.
EVERY STAGE NEEDS A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Where Is Your Puppy Right Now?
8 to 16 weeks: the socialization window. Guided exposure to dogs, people, surfaces, and sounds now prevents fear and reactivity later. Classes start at 20 weeks fully vaccinated. Best fit: Pre-School Puppy. See Pre-School Puppy Classes
4 to 8 months: the adolescent phase. Boundaries get tested and habits like counter-surfing take hold. Structure matters most. Best fit: Foundation Camp or early Group Classes. Explore Foundation Camp See Group Classes
8 to 12 months: building the foundation. Full size, full energy. Proof skills in the real world: leash walking, recall, calm around guests. Best fit: DaySchool plus Private Lessons. See DaySchool See Private Lessons
Built Around Your Puppy's Stage
Every path starts with where your puppy actually is, then builds the habits that stick for life.
FOUR WAYS TO START
Four Paths to the Same Confident Dog
- Pre-School Puppy Classes, $65 a session. Our most popular entry point. Small groups (max 6 puppies) for socialization, basic commands, bite inhibition, and handling. From 20 weeks (about five months). View the schedule
- Private Puppy Lessons, from $129. One-on-one coaching for shy puppies or work at home. In-school $179, in-home $279, online $129. Explore private puppy lessons
- Foundation Camp, from $3,509. A 14-night board-and-train: reliable Heel, Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Place, and Watch, plus transition lessons and classes. For adolescents 5 to 12 months. Explore camp
- DaySchool, memberships from $199 a month. Daily training and socialization through our 8 grade levels. See DaySchool
WHY START WITH US
Puppy Training Run by Specialists, Not Sitters
We have trained more than 70,000 dogs since 1997, and we have helped thousands of families through exactly the stage you are in now. Our trainers are certified puppy specialists who know how to build confidence at your puppy pace, never flooding a nervous puppy or rushing a bold one.
Class sizes stay small, the methods are positive and structured, and everything your puppy learns is tracked so progress is real and repeatable. Whether you want to be hands-on in class or hand off to an immersive camp, there is a path that fits your puppy, your schedule, and your budget.
GETTING STARTED IS EASY
Three Simple Steps to Begin
- 1. Take the 2-minute quiz. Your puppy age, breed, and goals in, a personalized program recommendation out. No account needed. Start the quiz
- 2. Talk to a real trainer. Not a salesperson. Consultations are free, with zero pressure to enroll. Schedule a call
- 3. Start training. Pre-School Puppy class, private lesson, or Foundation Camp. Most families see changes within the first week.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Vaccinations and What to Expect
When to start. Puppies join classes at 20 weeks (about five months) old, once they have been fully vaccinated for at least a week. Before then, the most valuable work happens at home: gentle handling, name response, and calm exposure to everyday sights and sounds. An online private lesson can set your at-home plan early.
Vaccinations. Every on-site program requires full vaccination, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus), Bordetella, and Rabies, completed at least one week before your puppy's first visit. We review your records at enrollment.
For Foundation Camp and DaySchool. The same 20-week, fully-vaccinated rule applies. Many families start camp closer to 6 months after a few weeks of classes, and that sequence works beautifully.
WHAT PUPPY PARENTS SAY
Real Families, Real Puppies
Verified reviews from families who started their puppies with us at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek campuses.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED
Puppy Training FAQs
When should I start training my puppy?
From 20 weeks (about five months), once your puppy has been fully vaccinated for at least a week. Before then, the work happens at home: name response, gentle handling, and calm exposure to new sights and sounds. An online private lesson can set your at-home plan early, and Pre-School Puppy classes are ready the week your puppy qualifies. See Pre-School Puppy Classes
Is my puppy too young?
If your puppy is at least 20 weeks old and has been fully vaccinated for at least a week, they are ready for Pre-School Puppy. Under 20 weeks, start with at-home foundations and an online private lesson, and reserve your class spot for the week your puppy qualifies. For board-and-train like Foundation Camp, many families wait until about 6 months. Explore Foundation Camp
What is the difference between Pre-School Puppy and Foundation Camp?
Pre-School Puppy is a weekly group class where you and your puppy learn together, ideal from 20 weeks (about five months). Foundation Camp is a 14-night immersive board-and-train for adolescent puppies who need intensive structure, or families who want accelerated results. Many families do both, in sequence.
How do I house train my puppy?
It comes down to management, consistency, and timing. Crate training is the foundation, since puppies avoid soiling their sleeping area. Take your puppy out after waking, eating, drinking, and playing, reward outside successes, and never punish accidents. Our trainers cover house training in both classes and private lessons. See Group Classes See Private Lessons
What if my puppy is scared or shy?
Shy puppies need socialization most, but it has to be done carefully. We build confidence gradually with positive exposure at your puppy's pace. Private lessons are often the best start for very shy puppies, followed by small group classes once they are ready. See Private Lessons
Do you offer puppy socialization?
Yes, it is at the core of everything we do with puppies. Pre-School Puppy classes and DaySchool both provide guided, supervised socialization that teaches your puppy to be calm and confident, not just to play. See Pre-School Puppy Classes See DaySchool
Explore in 360
See Where Your Puppy Will Learn
Clean floors, safe play spaces, and calm classrooms. Walk both campuses in 360 and see the rooms your puppy will grow up in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Puppy Program at Partners Dogs?
The Puppy Program is Partners Dogs' suite of training options for puppies 20 weeks (about five months) to 12 months old. It is not a single program but a set of age-matched paths because puppies need different things at different stages:
- 8-16 weeks: The Socialization Window, Pre-School Puppy Classes
- 4-8 months: The Adolescent Phase, Foundation Camp or Kindergarten Group Classes
- 8-12 months: Building the Foundation, DaySchool, Private Lessons, or Elementary Group Classes
Partners Dogs has trained over 5,000 puppies in 28+ years. The right starting point depends on your puppy's age, the critical socialization window, and your household's schedule and goals.
When should I start training my puppy?
From 20 weeks (about five months) old, once your puppy has been fully vaccinated for at least a week. Before then, the most valuable work happens at home: name response, gentle handling, and calm exposure to everyday sights and sounds. An online private lesson can set your at-home plan early.
Waiting until problems appear is the most common mistake. By then, you are not preventing problems. You are fixing them. Dogs trained before 6 months are 3x less likely to develop behavior issues later in life, and our Pre-School Puppy classes are ready the week your puppy qualifies.
What puppy training programs does Partners Dogs offer?
Partners Dogs offers four paths for puppies, each suited to different ages and goals:
- Pre-School Puppy Classes ($65/session, 60 min). Small group (max 6 puppies) socialization and basic commands. Best entry point for puppies from 20 weeks (about five months).
- Private Puppy Lessons (online $129, at school $179, at home $279). One-on-one for shy or reactive puppies, or families wanting accelerated results. Paid in full at booking.
- Foundation Camp ($3,509, 14 nights). Immersive board-and-train. Ideal for adolescents (4 to 12 months) who need intensive structure.
- DaySchool (memberships from $199/mo). Daily training and socialization 2 to 5 days/week. Best long-term solution for puppies who need consistent socialization.
Many families do multiple paths in sequence: Pre-School Puppy first, then Foundation Camp at adolescence, then DaySchool for maintenance.
What vaccinations does my puppy need before classes?
Every on-site program requires full vaccination, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus), Bordetella, and Rabies, completed at least one week before your puppy's first visit. That is why puppies join us at 20 weeks (about five months) old.
For board-and-train programs like Foundation Camp, many families wait until about 6 months so their puppy has a few weeks of classes first. We'll review your records at enrollment.
My puppy is under 20 weeks. What should we do right now?
If your puppy is 20 weeks (about five months) or older and fully vaccinated for at least a week, they can start right away with Pre-School Puppy group classes, DaySchool, or Foundation Camp. Younger than that, call 480-595-6700 and our team will map out the right plan for socialization and handling at home until your puppy is ready to join us.
What is the difference between Pre-School Puppy and Foundation Camp?
Pre-School Puppy is a weekly group class where you and your puppy learn together, best from 20 weeks (about five months) old. Foundation Camp is our 14-night board-and-train for adolescents who need intensive structure or families who want accelerated results. Many families do both, starting with Pre-School Puppy classes and moving into Foundation Camp as their puppy grows.
Do you offer puppy socialization?
Yes, socialization is at the core of what we do. Pre-School Puppy classes and DaySchool provide guided, supervised socialization that teaches your puppy to be calm and confident around other dogs and people, not just to play.