What to Expect at Puppy Class (Hint: It’s Not About Perfect Obedience)

Valerie Naegele
May 20
2 min read

If you’ve just signed up for a puppy class, congratulations! You’re taking a huge step in setting your puppy up for a confident and connected life. But let’s clear something up right away — puppy class probably won’t look the way you think it will.

Many people come in expecting their puppy to walk away with rock-solid obedience: sitting on command, walking politely on leash, coming when called... and doing it all in a room full of other puppies. But here’s the truth:

That’s not really the goal of puppy class.

So what is the goal?

In a word: socialization.

Puppy class is one of the safest, most intentional ways to introduce your puppy to:

New people
Other puppies
New environments
Unfamiliar sounds, smells, and textures
Handling by someone who isn’t you

It’s a place where your puppy can explore, observe, and learn — not just obedience cues, but how to be a dog in the world.

And that kind of learning? It’s just as important (if not more) than sit, down, or stay.

Why isn’t puppy class all about obedience?

Let’s be real — asking a young puppy to perform obedience in a room full of other wiggly, barking, excited puppies is like asking a kindergartener to do math homework at a birthday party. It’s not fair, and it’s not the point.

Instead, think of class as training for you — the human.

You’ll learn:

How to start teaching important cues like sit, down, come, and leash manners
How to observe and respond to your puppy’s body language
How to introduce your pup to new things in a positive and healthy way
How to build trust, confidence, and calmness as your foundation

Then, you bring those skills home — where your puppy can learn in a calmer environment, one step at a time.

Puppy class lays the foundation — not the finish line

What your puppy gains at class is exposure, confidence, and early learning. What you gain is understanding, skills, and a clearer path forward.

So if your puppy isn’t nailing every cue during class, don’t worry.

If they’re distracted, excited, or even a little overwhelmed — that’s normal.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress.

Let your puppy learn that the world is safe, that people and dogs are okay, and that new experiences don’t have to be scary. That’s what truly sets them up for a lifetime of learning and connection.

In summary…

Don’t stress if your puppy doesn’t walk away from class doing perfect sits and downs. Instead, celebrate that they were brave enough to explore a new space, say hi to a few new faces, and learn something new — even if it’s just how to settle near another dog without barking.

And celebrate yourself, too — because showing up, learning, and practicing at home is how real transformation happens.

See you in class!

Learn more about your trainer Val here

Learn more about the courses we offer online here

To get started with private training book a free consultation here