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AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Training Program
Foundational Training Designed Just for Puppies Under 6 Months
At K9s Place, we believe early training and socialization are essential for raising confident, well-mannered dogs. Our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, taught by certified AKC CGC evaluators, gives young puppies the structure and skills they need during their most important developmental stages. Upon completion, puppies are eligible to earn the official AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy title, which is added to their AKC record.
This program is offered exclusively as a complete package for $499 that includes 6 Play and Learn sessions followed by 6 S.T.A.R. Puppy group classes.
It is available only to puppies under 6 months old.
EXCELLENT
Based on 319 reviews
Posted on GoogleKailey CisnerosTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I truly cannot say enough good things about K9s Place and everything they’ve done for Charley and our family! Charley completed their Board and Train program, and the progress we’ve seen has been incredible. Before training, he was extremely reactive on walks, and taking him out was often stressful and overwhelming. I honestly never thought we’d get to a point where we could comfortably walk alongside other dogs, let alone participate in pack walks. Since completing his training, we’ve been able to attend multiple pack walks, something I genuinely never thought would be possible for us. I actually got emotional after our very first one because I knew just how far we’d come. Being able to walk alongside other dogs and enjoy that experience with Charley was such a huge milestone. Now, going on walks and taking him places is so much more peaceful and enjoyable. It’s hard to put into words how much that means to us. We also bring Charley to K9s Place for grooming, and they’ve been nothing but kind, patient, and understanding with him. I know Charley can be difficult at times, and that makes me appreciate their patience even more. They’ve always treated him with kindness and understanding, and it means so much to know he’s surrounded by people who genuinely care about him. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at K9s Place for not only helping Charley but also giving us the tools and confidence to continue working with him. We know he’s still a work in progress, but the difference they’ve made in our everyday lives is something I’ll always be thankful for. I couldn’t recommend K9s Place enough! Thank you for being so patient with Charley, believing in him, and helping us experience things together that I once thought would never be possible!Posted on GoogleMichele MarlinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
First time ever having a dog boarded, I was so pleasantly surprised. This place was exceptional!! I highly recommend them and promise you will not regret your choice.Posted on GoogleDenise CacchioTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Jagger loves coming to his daycare and is happy when I picked up. Their prices are great and so is their staff.Posted on GoogleCody AllenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We absolutely love K9s Place! We’ve been bringing Arya here for both her grooming and her training, and the entire team has been amazing with her. Arya is a Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd, so she definitely has plenty of energy and personality, but everyone here knows exactly how to work with her. Her training has been incredible. The trainers are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely care about the dogs they work with. We’ve seen a huge difference in Arya’s obedience, confidence, focus, and overall behavior since starting her training here. She absolutely loves coming in and gets excited as soon as she realizes where we’re going. We also recently had her groomed here, and they did an awesome job. She came out looking great, and you can tell they took their time with her. I couldn’t recommend K9s Place enough for anyone looking for grooming or professional dog training. It’s nice having a place we trust with Arya where the people genuinely care about her and know her. Definitely a 5-star experiencePosted on GooglePeter WeirTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
K9s place does an awesome job with our 5 month old puppy, Lainey Lu! Lainey is always excited to go in and happy and healthy when leaving af the end of her daycare. Great job! Super friendly and knowledgeable staff!Posted on GoogleEmiliana GersonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
K9's Place offers a unique doggy daycare culture that you won't find in many other places! They are all great place for dogs that many other daycares might turn away. I have an intact male XL bully named Horus who LOVES getting to play in daycare group here! It means a lot to have a place I can take him that allows him to actually play in group, as most other places would either restrict him because of his breed or because he is intact. K9's Place giving my dog the ability to play in group is something I deeply value. In other kennels, Horus has had a history of terrible kennel anxiety he needed meds to manage, even breaking a door out of frame once. Ive noticed at K9's Place he seems MUCH more cool, calm, and happy.Posted on GoogleKristina PowellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Best investment into our rescued pup! Our boy came to us at 3.5 yrs old, history unknown, and a murmur of distrust in men. We saw through his weeks kenneled up, the pulling, his size, and anything else set against him. We knew there was potential in this sweet boy. Having been raised with dogs and rasing dogs all my life, training this adoption was going to be harder with a busy schedule and active life. Most important was having confidence we could walk and socialize him keeping our child's safety as paramount. The 2-week board and train is worth every penny! K9s Place took such great care of him for his training. He came home with an array of new skills and even more eagerness to please! I can walk our big boy without being dragged down the street, leave the front door open without him running away, venture into any store with amazing control, and just enjoy having our dog everywhere we want to be. We loved the care and training from K9s so much, we send our pup to doggie daycare for safe and controlled socialization which he LOVES. The pack walks offer unique benefits with more chances to reinforce training and bonds. And, we will begin our Canine Good Citizen training soon. Most importantly, every staff member at K9s love our dog as if he was their own. I tell everyone about the caliber of service we receive and recommend them with no reservation. Don't stall any longer. Join the masses who have experienced K9s passion and live with confidence that your fur baby can be just like the dogs you see out and about!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Why Early Puppy Training Matters
The first year of a dog’s life shapes everything—from behavior and confidence to how easily they learn new skills. Puppies between 12 weeks and one year old are in their most critical period of growth. Starting training early helps:
- Prevent unwanted behaviors before they become habits
- Build confidence around people, other dogs, and new environments
- Strengthen communication and trust between owner and puppy
- Prepare for future obedience and advanced training
- Support healthy mental and emotional development
- A strong start sets the tone for a well-mannered, balanced adult dog
Program Structure
Step 1: Puppy Play and Learn (PAL)
Puppies may begin PAL as early as 8 weeks of age.
PAL is a training-focused socialization program tailored for young puppies. It provides controlled exposure, guided play, and positive reinforcement to build strong early habits. Each session supports healthy development and prepares puppies for future training success. PAL sessions include:
- Supervised socialization with other puppies
- Exposure to new environments, textures, sounds, and objects
- Confidence building exercises
- Crate training practice and routine building
- Reinforcement of manners and early obedience skills
By completing all six PAL sessions, puppies enter group training more confident, focused, and ready to learn.
Step 2: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Group Classes
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Come when called
- Loose leash walking
- Name recognition
- Calm behavior around distractions
- Appropriate interactions with other dogs and people
S.T.A.R. Puppy Program at K9s Place
Give your pup the best start-
6 Puppy Play & Learn Sessions
-
6 AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Group Classes
Why Enroll Your Puppy at K9s Place
Early puppy training builds the foundation for a well-mannered, confident, and social adult dog. Combining socialization with structured training helps puppies learn more quickly, adapt more easily, and develop good habits that last a lifetime.
K9s Place provides a safe, positive, and professional environment where every puppy receives hands-on guidance tailored to their developmental needs. Our structured approach ensures consistency, clarity, and the repetition puppies need to succeed.
Give your puppy the strongest possible start with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program at K9s Place. Spaces are limited to ensure high-quality instruction and individual support.
Contact us today to reserve your spot and begin your puppy’s training journey.
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