Puppy owners have a chance to start their pet out on the right paw with a new behavioral training class offered through the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. 

The puppy training class is modeled after the Karen Pryor Puppy Start Right program. The classes will be led by certified trainer Dana Emerson, BS, VT, KPA-CTP, who has more than 30 years of experience working as a veterinary technician and has been involved with training dogs since the 1980s. She is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and a Puppy Start Right Certified Instructor. 

Designed for puppies ages 7-13 weeks, the five-week course covers a range of training topics and includes a visit to the Lewis Small Animal Hospital to help puppies become more comfortable with veterinary care visits. DVM students will provide one-on-one support to participants during class time. 

Classes are held in person at the Nutrena Conference Center at the Leatherdale Equine Center on the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus. 

The next class cohort will begin at 6 p.m. on March 15, 2022. The class cost is $125 and is limited to eight puppies. Class participants must upload current vaccination records when registering for class. Participant registration includes a training manual, clicker, and class handouts.

For more information and to register for the class, visit the Puppy Start Right webpage.