(Day Train) DaySchool

Overview

DaySchool is our structured, curriculum-based day program. Dogs train in small, supervised groups and rotate through obedience, enrichment, and rest blocks. The focus: everyday manners, leash skills, impulse control, social confidence, and calm “off switch.” Dogs are grouped by temperament and level so they learn safely at the right pace.

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Topics

1. What is DaySchool?

2. Key Benefits & Features

3. Daily Schedule & Structure

4. Curriculum & Grade Levels 

5. DaySchool vs. DayCamp (Which is right for my dog?)

6. Tracking Progress (Pupdates, Assessments, Reports)

7. Membership Options 

8. Onboarding Process 

9. Common Questions & Answers 

10. Troubleshooting & Tips

11. Safety & Environment

12. Glossary
     

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What is DaySchool?

DaySchool is a full-day, curriculum-driven training program that blends small-group lessons, coached social time, targeted enrichment, and planned rest. Unlike casual daycare, every rotation has a training objective tied to your dog’s current grade level (Pre-School → Dogtorate). Progress is tracked through daily Pupdates (photos/videos + notes), trainer scoring, and periodic evaluations so you can see exactly how skills grow over time.

What DaySchool is designed to do

• Build everyday manners (loose-leash walking, polite greetings, calm “place”/settle).

• Strengthen impulse control and focus around real-world distractions.

• Improve social confidence with coached, structured dog-dog and dog-human interactions.

• Create a reliable home routine by pairing school skills with simple at-home practice.

Who thrives here

• Social, group-compatible dogs who benefit from learning around other dogs.

• Puppies/teens needing guided outlets and consistent structure.

• Family dogs polishing public manners and calm behavior in busy environments.

Placement is guided by our PD360 assessment. Dogs showing reactivity/anxiety may begin in DayCamp (one-on-one) and bridge into DaySchool as they’re ready.

What DaySchool is not

• Not an unstructured “free-for-all” daycare. Training goals anchor the day.

• Not a replacement for behavior therapy when significant reactivity/guarding is present (we’ll guide you to the right path).

How a typical day flows (rotations with purpose)

• Training Blocks (2+ per day): Leash skills, recalls, “place,” greeting etiquette, pattern work (circles/turns), neutrality around movement/sound.

• Enrichment: Scent games, puzzle/problem-solving, shaping sessions (touch pads, placement box) to build body awareness and confidence.

• Structured Social Time: Coach-supervised play or parallel work to practice turn-taking, disengagement (“Out”), and calm proximity.

• Rest & Reset: Planned downtime to prevent over-arousal and support memory consolidation.

• Pupdate Prep: Trainers log behaviors, capture photos/videos, and write your daily summary with home tips.

The curriculum engine (how learning advances)

• Each dog is assigned a grade level with clear criteria (e.g., place duration, recall distance, leash steps, public neutrality).

• Trainers score daily reps; when criteria are met consistently, we advance your dog and update goals.

• You’ll see the plan in your Pupdates plus deeper reviews at quarterly evaluations (~90 days).

Parent partnership (your role made simple)

• Expect daily Pupdates with 1–2 easy homework items (1–3 minutes each).

• Short, consistent home reps make school gains stick between visits.

• Optional parent classes help you practice handling skills and troubleshooting.

Where DaySchool fits with other programs

• DayCamp: One-on-one day training for dogs who need additional structure or decompression; often used before or alongside DaySchool.

• Boarding/Board & Train: Skills can continue during stays so momentum isn’t lost.

• Private Lessons/Group Classes: Reinforce skills with you present; great for fine-tuning.

“What a good day looks like”

Loose-leash entries, quick check-ins (“Watch”), tidy “place,” polite passes near other dogs, calm checkout—plus a Pupdate showing the wins and the plan for tomorrow.

Logistics & safety (at a glance)

• Environment: Indoor/outdoor yards with non-slip footing, shade, water features, and dedicated training spaces.

• Staffing: Low staff-to-dog ratios; professional trainers coach every rotation.

• Health requirements: Dogs must be at least 20 weeks old, with all necessary vaccines. See Vaccination Policy, here. 

The first 1–2 weeks (what to expect)

• Week 1: Relationship building, baseline skills, low-pressure exposures, predictable routines.

• Week 2: Clear gains in place duration, leash rhythm, and recovery after mild distractions—reflected in your Pupdates with simple at-home practice.

With DaySchool, you get a purpose-built day where every block supports learning, confidence, and calm—plus a transparent plan that connects school to home so progress feels steady and visible.

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Key Benefits & Features

• Daily Pupdates: Photos/videos + a summary of the day’s skills and wins.

• Small-group training: At least 2 guided training sessions per day targeting obedience & manners.

• Structured socialization: Positive, coached time around dogs/people for real-world composure.

• Full-day engagement: Training + enrichment + supervised play + planned rest to prevent over-arousal.

• Parent education: Classes and at-home tips help you maintain progress.

• Integrated pathway: Progress carries into Private Lessons, DayCamp, Boarding, or group classes as needed.

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Daily Schedule & Structure (Typical)

• Morning: Check-in, potty, warm-up focus games → Training Session #1 (leash skills, place, impulse control).

• Midday: Enrichment rotation (puzzles/scent/sensory) → supervised group play or parallel social time → rest.

• Afternoon: Training Session #2 (greetings, recalls, distraction work) → cool-down walk → rest.

• Checkout: Recap + Pupdate (photos/videos + notes on behaviors, goals, and home tips).

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Curriculum & Grade Levels

Note: Placement and advancement are guided by our PD360 assessment and ongoing trainer evaluations. Timelines below are typical with consistent attendance; every dog progresses at their own pace.

Pre-School (Foundations & Comfort)

Primary goals: Confidence, calm handling, simple routines.
Core skills: Name response, hand-target, “Watch,” sit, down, short place (10–20s), gentle leash starts, crate/kennel comfort, body handling, threshold manners, settling between activities.
Ready to advance when:

• Takes treats calmly; recovers quickly from minor surprises.

• Walks 5–10 loose-leash steps in a quiet area.

• Holds place 10–20s with mild movement nearby.
  Parent focus at home: 2–3 micro-sessions/day (30–60s), calm crate entries, 3–5s eye contact before cues.

Kindergarten (Routine & Reliability)

Primary goals: Build short chains, introduce light distraction.
Core skills: Sit/down with 5–10s hold, place 30–45s, leash follow in a hallway/yard, beginnings of recall on a light line, polite wait at doors/food, intro greeting etiquette (four on the floor).
Ready to advance when:

• Loose-leash 10–20 steps with one mild distraction.

• Recall 6–10 ft on line; checks in after reward.

• Calm entry/exit from crate/play yard.
  Parent focus: Pattern games (Stop→Auto-Sit, Watch→Heel 3–5 steps), door routines, short calm-downs.

Elementary (Control & Impulse)

Primary goals: Self-control around mild to moderate distractions.
Core skills: Place 1–2 min, leash walking with simple turns (Right/Left About 90°), Auto-Sit on stops, impulse games (food/toy neutrality), intro Out (disengage), greeting practice with handler coaching.
Ready to advance when:

• Loose-leash 30–40 steps with two mild distractions.

• Recall 10–15 ft on line, single cue.

• Maintains place 1–2 min while a trainer moves about.
  Parent focus: 2–3 short neighborhood reps (curbs, mailboxes), greeting rules (sit first), Out in easy contexts.

Middle School (Distraction-Proofing)

Primary goals: Hold criteria when the world is interesting.
Core skills: Heeling patterns with circles/turns, place 2–3 min with people/dogs at distance, improved recall amid moderate distraction, touch pads/placement box for clean starts/stops, polite passing on sidewalks, “Leave It” vs. Out clarity.
Ready to advance when:

• Loose-leash 50–60 steps with two moderate distractions.

• Recall 15–20 ft on long line, single cue, quick commitment.

• Calm, neutral pass-bys within 6–8 ft of another team.
  Parent focus: Structured walks (pattern resets every block), place while you prep a snack, long-line recalls in a quiet park.

High School (Public Manners)

Primary goals: Consistency in real environments.
Core skills: Store-entry etiquette, polite stationary time near carts/doors, heeling through mild crowding, place 3–5 min, durable stays with handler briefly out of sight (safe setups), car loading, cafe/bench settle.
Ready to advance when:

• Heels through a short aisle with two controlled stops.

• Recall 20–30 ft on long line with distractions present.

• Maintains place 3–5 min with routine foot traffic.
  Parent focus: Short “field trips” (pet-friendly storefronts), 5-minute cafe settle, car-to-doorway routines.

College (Real-World Fluency)

Primary goals: Apply skills under layered distractions.
Core skills: Variable-pace heel, clean halts, Out/re-engage amid moving stimuli, recalls around low-level dog/people activity (on long line), longer public settles (5–8 min), polite greeting opt-outs (choose neutrality).
Ready to advance when:

• Heels 2–3 minutes with mixed paces/turns, few prompts.

• Recall 30–40 ft on long line from moderate distractions.

• Calm settle 5–8 min in a real setting (shade/cafe edge).
  Parent focus: Weekly outing plan (15–20 min), long-line recall games, settle while you chat with a friend.

Masters (Duration, Distance, Difficulty)

Primary goals: Endurance and decision-making under pressure.
Core skills: Longer duration behaviors (stays/place 8–12 min), complex heel patterns in busier areas, moving past higher-value distractions, rock-solid door and food manners, consistent disengagement (Out) on first cue.
Ready to advance when:

• Completes a short multi-skill sequence in public (heel → sit → place → recall) with minimal coaching.

• Recall 40–60 ft on long line from meaningful distractions.

• Maintains place 8–12 min with periodic environmental changes.
  Parent focus: Two structured outings/week, sequence practice, random “proofs” at home (doorbell drills).

Dogtorate (Polish & Versatility)

Primary goals: Calm, versatile performance across novel places.
Core skills: Mixed-environment generalization; quick pattern resets; stable neutrality around sudden changes; handler focus without food in hand; balanced arousal (work→rest→work).
Readiness hallmark: Predictably rehearses skills anywhere we train together, with a happy, willing attitude and minimal scaffolding.
Parent focus: Maintenance plan (weekly refreshers), rotating environments, occasional class/drop-in for tune-ups.

Progression at a Glance (Typical Targets)

*Recall distances use a long line where appropriate and safe. Off-leash work is simulated unless specifically approved and lawful.

How Advancement Works

• We measure behaviors, not just time: Trainers score daily behaviors aligned to the current level.

• We share the “why” in Pupdates: What went well, what we’re building next, and one simple at-home task.

• Quarterly evaluations (≈90 days): Formal review + plan update to keep momentum.

If progress stalls, we may adjust frequency, add DayCamp 1:1 support, or change environments—always with clear next steps for you.

At-Home Partnering (by Level)

• Early levels: 2–3 micro-sessions/day (30–60s); name/Watch, short place, leash starts.

• Middle levels: Structured walks with pattern resets (circles/turns), 2–3 long-line recalls, 2-minute place during dinner prep.

• Upper levels: Weekly public mini-outing (10–20 min), one duration behavior (5–10 min), one fun skill (trick or scent) to keep morale high.

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DaySchool vs. DayCamp (Which is right for my dog?)

How we decide: A PD360 (4+ hr) assessment reviews temperament, goals, and history to place your dog. Note: If your dog shows reactivity/anxiety, we may recommend DayCamp first, then bridge into DaySchool when ready. 

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Tracking Progress (Pupdates, Assessments, Reports)

• Daily Pupdates: Photos/videos + narrative of skills practiced and how to reinforce at home.

• Behavior scoring: Trainers log behaviors tied to your dog’s current grade level.

• Quarterly evaluations (every ~90 days): Formal review and plan updates to keep momentum.

• Continuity: Notes follow your dog across DaySchool, DayCamp, Boarding, and lessons.

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Membership Options

✅ Legacy Memberships (active for current clients)

• Silver: 8 DaySchool days + 4 Pet Parent Classes

• Gold: 16 DaySchool days OR 4 Pet Parent Classes + 1 Private Lesson

• Platinum: 24 DaySchool days OR 4 Pet Parent Classes + 1 Private Lesson
  Billing options: monthly; quarterly (≈90-day expiry); annual (≈180-day expiry).

🆕 New Membership Tiers

• Prepaid pricing: $49 per DaySchool; $99 per DayCamp.

• You may remain on a legacy plan or switch to a new tier at renewal.

• Note: Pricing/availability can change. We’ll confirm your plan in writing at enrollment.

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Onboarding Process

1. Pre-Assessment: Complete the online behavior questionnaire in your Parent Portal.

2. PD360 Assessment (≈4+ hrs): Temperament + skills review, goal setting, recommended placement (DaySchool vs. DayCamp) and starting grade.

3. Program Start: Begin attending on your selected schedule/tier.

4. Quarterly Check-ins: Formal evaluation every ~90 days; plan adjusts as your dog advances.

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Common Questions & Answers 

What makes DaySchool different from regular daycare?
Training is built into the day. Dogs rotate through targeted lessons, enrichment, and coached social time, not just free play. You’ll get daily Pupdates with photos/videos and clear next steps for home.

How do I know if my dog should do DaySchool or DayCamp?
We start with PD360. Social, group-compatible dogs typically thrive in DaySchool. If your dog needs more individual work (e.g., reactivity or anxiety), we’ll recommend DayCamp first and bridge when ready.

How will I see progress?
Through daily Pupdates, behavior logs tied to grade levels, and quarterly evaluations. You’ll see photos/videos plus simple homework to keep skills growing at home.

Can my dog attend while boarding or if I’m traveling?
Yes—training can continue during Boarding so progress doesn’t stall. We’ll coordinate schedules and keep your Pupdates coming.

Which membership should I choose?
Pick based on frequency (days/month), whether your dog also needs DayCamp days, and your goals. Your trainer will recommend a tier after PD360.

What if my dog struggles in group settings?
We’ll adjust: smaller groups, more structure, or a DayCamp phase for one-on-one work. You’ll receive clear at-home strategies via your Pupdates.

How many behaviors will my dog learn?
Across levels, our curriculum covers 100+ behaviors. Dogs typically spend ~30 days per level, but pace varies by dog and attendance.

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Troubleshooting & Tips

• Over-tired at pickup? Full days are stimulating. Expect a nap at home; maintain a quiet evening routine.

• Regressions at home? Revisit your Pupdate homework; keep reps short (2–5 minutes) and consistent.

• Big feelings around dogs? Ask about a DayCamp bridge and distance-based social setups before returning to groups.

• Plateaus: Attendance consistency + focused home reps usually restart progress; your trainer will tweak goals at the next check-in.

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Safety & Environment

• Spaces: Indoor/outdoor yards, shaded rest areas, water play zones, dedicated training rooms with non-slip footing.

• Staffing: Low staff-to-dog ratios with professional trainers overseeing groups.

• Health: We follow current vaccine/health requirements. See the most up-to-date Vaccination Policy, here. 

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Glossary

• Pupdate: Your dog’s daily photo/video update with notes and at-home tips, written in the dogs point of view. 

• PD360: A structured, multi-hour temperament/behavior assessment that guides placement and goals.

• Grade Levels: A scaffolded curriculum from Pre-School → Dogtorate,  

• DayCamp: One-on-one day training—ideal for dogs needing individual focus or decompression before groups.

DaySchool blends small-group training, enrichment, and structured social time into a full, purposeful day—backed by daily Pupdates, a detailed curriculum ladder, and regular check-ins. With PD360-guided placement and flexible memberships, your dog gets the right challenge at the right pace—and you get a simple, consistent plan to keep progress going at home.