Wunderdog's Premier Puppy Classes, serving the Madison area
We believe dogs should learn through positive experiences and FUN…
That’s why we have created our Wunderdog Academy, offering group puppy classes for all ages and stages!
Our Wunderdog Academy is a system of education for young puppies and dogs that seeks to identify and develop positive behaviors while mitigating negative behaviors. We achieve this through redirection and gentle guidance. Wunderdog offers an enriching experience for both owner and puppy that focuses on understanding natural dog behaviors, the importance of pack leadership, and most importantly, the JOY of the canine-human relationship.
From young puppies to older dog basics (and some other awesome classes in between), WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! Wunderdog offers a variety of group puppy classes designed to take you and your puppy/dog through a series of courses (age and ability/knowledge specific) drafted for “continuing education”. Our puppy classes are primarily held at Zen Dogs Center in Waunakee, but some of our more advanced classes are held at other (public) locations as well!
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DURATION: 5 WEEKS (MEETS ONCE WEEKLY FOR 1.25 HOURS)
WHEN: EVENINGS starting between 6:00 and 7:30 (Class dependent)
Payment due on or before the first class. Payments can be made online using a credit card, cash, or a check TO WUNDERDOG, LLC.
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EQUIPMENT NEEDED: A 4-6 ft regular leash, any training equipment you are currently using (harness, collar, etc.), treats/meal kibble, treat pouch, poop bags.
PLEASE DON’T BRING: Flexi-leashes, more than 2 handlers/pup or dog (no children under 12, please, unless approved by your instructor.)
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REQUIREMENTS: Puppy/dog must be up-to-date with current vaccination schedule and must have had a clear fecal exam within the last 6 months. (Puppy should look and act of good health overall, and have ALL vaccinations for/by age as recommended by veterinarian - INCLUDING BORDETELLA.)
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First Class: You will “check in” at our front reception desk. Here you will drop off your registration form, payment & vaccinations copies (if you have not already done so). Also, the first puppy class generally takes a wee-bit longer than the subsequent ones, so expect to be with us for an hour + (subsequent classes will be one hour in length).
Your puppy will be offered water throughout the workshop(s). If you do not want your puppy to drink from the community bowls, bring a personal one (no one will be offended)!
After the puppy class, your pup will be tired. This is normal - there will be a lot going on, mental and physical work, so expect your pup to sleep the rest of the afternoon, and he/she may even be a bit tired the next day. This is normal, but it is best not to make plans afterwards where your pup would need to socialize with a lot of chaos, etc.
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The easiest way to enroll is through the links below! If you have questions regarding your puppy class, contact your listed instructor, or email us at training@thewunderdog.com.
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Cancellation Policy
If the cancellation occurs by the 2nd class we will process a full refund less a $50 Cancellation Fee; thereafter no refunds will be issued.Weather Policy
If the Waunakee School District closes for weather, all services will be temporarily cancelled to prioritize the safety of our team, customers, and pets.
Wunderpup Preschool - $150
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For: Puppies ages 10 to 20 weeks
Time: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Wunderpup is the perfect starting puppy class for you and your pup! Discover the secrets to understanding your pup's needs and behaviors. Learn leash manners for a pleasant walk. Introduce key cues like SIT, NO BITES, and establish Marker Words for effective communication. We'll cover essential aspects like crating, potty training, and ensure safe social play for a well-rounded, happy pup. Join us for a journey of bonding and positive training!
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Understanding your puppy’s behaviors and requirements for optimal mental and physical health.
Gaining and maintaining your puppy’s focus while training and in every day life.
Learning how to take your puppy on a walk without the balk or pulling!
Introduction to the following cues: SIT, NO BITES, LOOK AT ME, LEAVE IT, OFF, WAIT, COME, DOWN, and establishment of “Marker Words” (for easier communication with your puppy/then dog).
Introduction and maintenance of proper crating and potty training.
Safe social play interaction with other puppies of similar age, size, play styles.
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Classes meet weekly.
At graduation, our last puppy class, we will celebrate your accomplishments, with a “show” where you will demonstrate your new skills, finishing up with a certificate of achievement!
Wunderdog Middle School - $150
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For: Pups ages 6 months and up
Time: Mondays at 6:30 pm
Do you have a newly adolescent dog who ready for the next class after puppy preschool or kindergarten? In this puppy class we will cover: SIT, WAIT, COME, OFF, LOOK AT ME, PAWS UP/OFF, HEEL (AND LOOSE-LEASH HEEL). Whether you taken puppy classes, or have trained your dog yourself - join us for this fun, informative class!
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Learn how your newly adolescent dog thinks and how hormones and developmental periods affect your pup!
Gain and maintain your pup’s focus while training and in every day life.
Perfect cues SIT, WAIT, COME, HEEL, LEAVE IT, OFF, & LOOK AT ME.
Learn important techniques for recall reliability.
Learn how to “exposure train” your pup for safe interactions/associations with new people and things, and to lessen (or eliminate) possible reactivity and fearfulness.
Introduction to Wunderdog’s “Auto-Holds” (where the pup holds a position without a WAIT or STAY.)
Safe social interaction with other pups of similar age, size, play styles.
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Puppy classes meet weekly and may meet at a number of different locations (please inquire from the instructor)!
At graduation, our last puppy class, we will celebrate your accomplishments, with a “show” where you will demonstrate your new skills, finishing up with a certificate of achievement!
Wunderdog High School - $150
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For: Pups ages 8 months and up
Time: Wednesdays at 6:30 pm (Winter) or 6:00 pm (Summer)
You can never learn enough! This insightful puppy class Is designed to take you to the next level in your dog training. We look to help you acquire new skills and more knowledge in dog behavior, and continue bridging the gap in your communication with your dog. We’ll review the previous classes, and new and practical instruction will be provided.
Prerequisites:
Preferably dogs who have completed Preschool and Middle School classes - but this is not a requirement!
Dogs who know: SIT, DOWN , WAIT (or STAY), HEEL, COME, LEAVE IT
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Continue learning about hormonal/developmental stages at certain ages, with added instruction on signals or cues your dog gives you to alert you of wanting to learn more, or to having enough training for the time being (shutting down & stress signals).
Continue work on gaining and maintaining your dog’s focus while training and in every day life; perfecting the “AUTO HOLD” (dog maintains position without WAIT or STAY).
Learn appropriate public exposure training; you will teach your dog how to “Say Hi” (with your dog’s trust that you will keep them safe).
Learn how to teach your dog self-control and restraint when taking treats, meeting unfamiliar people & dogs; learn composure techniques aided by the cues “GENTLE” & “ENOUGH.”
Focus on Safety Skills with added work on: OFF, LEAVE IT, COME, WAIT, & HEEL!
Perfect loose-leash walking and HEEL; finding the JOY in walking or exercising your dog.
Perfect “PLACE” and release command “BREAK” (where you point to a spot where your dog will go and lay down automatically and hold that “place” until you give the release command “break”.
Enjoy Safe social interaction with other dogs of similar age, size, play styles
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Puppy classes meet weekly and meets at 5 different local places (weather permitting) to combine your curriculum with EXPOSURE training!
At graduation, our last puppy class, we will celebrate your accomplishments, with a “show” where you will demonstrate your new skills, finishing up with a certificate of achievement!
Wunderdog Genius - $165
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For: Pups ages 6 months and up
Time: Saturdays at 11:00 am
Are you ready to turn your furry friend into a Wunderdog Genius? We're excited to introduce our brand-new course, Wunderdog Genius I, designed to challenge and stimulate both you and your canine companion!
This 5-week course will teach your dog to:
Read two cues
Identify two colors
Recognize three objects
Perform various environmental cues
You’ll also learn to engage your dog with brain-stimulating activities that are perfect for those days when the weather isn't suitable for outdoor exercise.
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In Wunderdog Genius you and your pup will learn:
How and why to use clickers
Multiple games such as "You Pick" and "Sniff it Out"
Color Recognition for Blue and Yellow
Reading Cues "Sit" and "Down"
Verbal cues for "Spin", "Tap it", and "Find it"
Environmental Cues for "Sit", "Wait at the Door", and "Settle"
Object recognition for three items
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Puppy classes meet weekly.
At graduation, our last puppy class, we will celebrate your accomplishments, with a “show” where you will demonstrate your new skills, finishing up with a certificate of achievement!
Back to Basics - $150
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For: pups ages 6 months and up
Time: Saturdays at 12:45 pm
This puppy class is for you and your dog! Perfecting basic obedience cues, helpful exposure training, successful focus with distractions, basic overview of reactivity in dogs (how to help), beginning whistle recall training, and one full session on behavioral problem solving!
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Have you recently adopted a dog and want to start training the basics or see what they may know? Any dog of ANY age can learn!
Has your dog previously completed training, but it’s been awhile and you need a refresher?
Do you need to get motivated to revisit training and practice more with your dog?
Have you been looking for something constructive to do with your dog that will increase bonding, offer a new way to teach, or learn basic dog behavior to better communicate with your dog?
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1st Puppy Class: We will first take you back to the original cues that you have (or haven’t) learned: SIT, DOWN, OFF, WAIT, HEEL. We will work on ‘building trust’ techniques.
2nd Puppy Class: We’ll review the basics, discuss canine reactivity (what is it? What causes it? What can we do to help set our dogs up for success?), and add LEAVE IT.
3rd Puppy Class: We will cover the art of working with your dog amongst distractions; we will work in the gym with some objects that your dog likely has never seen before, and we will (weather permitting) take it up a notch by training our pups in our parking lot and the adjoining sidewalks. We will address jumping.
4th Puppy Class: During this class, we will focus on COME, and we will cover “whistle recall”.
5th Puppy Class (THIS CLASS IS 1.5 HOURS!): This class is reserved for session of Q & A’s with Lynn Wunderli (Canine Behavioral Specialist) on dog behaviors from each team, and solutions for these. This ‘open forum’ is designed to give explanations and practical help through demonstrations and instruction.