Somebody’s calendar needs obedience training.

Suzanne Parker’s Doggie School is advertising Puppy Obedience Level 1 near the Vista–San Marcos border.

The class promises basic commands, walking skills, recall and puppy socialization.

It also comes with one question families should ask before handing over $225:

What, exactly, does the advertised AKC option include?

First, the Puppy Part

The course is scheduled for four consecutive Wednesdays: Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2026.

Classes run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each is followed by a 20-minute “Yappy Hour,” advertised as an opportunity for puppies to socialize with people, children and their classmates.

The first week covers sit, stand, down, spin, focus and “off,” intended to discourage jumping.

Week two moves into safety skills, including stay, emergency recall and recall using a 30-foot line.

Week three focuses on walking.

The final advertised session covers place, settling and impulse control, followed by testing and graduation.

Parker’s website says the puppy course uses positive reinforcement.

So far, the curriculum is easy enough to follow.

The numbers are not.

Four, Five or Six?

The September announcement describes four weeks of instruction.

Parker’s website describes Puppy School Level 1 as a five-week course based on the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy curriculum.

AKC requires participants to attend at least six weeks and six classes taught by an AKC-approved Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Four. Five. Six.

That is a lot of calendar math for a class teaching “stay.”

The September announcement says S.T.A.R. certification is available, but it does not explain whether additional sessions are included.

Parker’s website identifies her as a Certified Dog Trainer and AKC-approved evaluator. It says she has more than 26 years of experience and previously operated dog trail-running businesses in the Pacific Northwest.

The website does not identify the organization that issued her CDT credential.

Socialization Needs Fine Print, Too

Early puppy socialization has support from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

The organization says puppies may begin socialization classes before completing every vaccination when appropriate health precautions are followed. It recommends initial vaccination, deworming and continued vaccines during the course.

The class announcement does not publish its vaccination requirements, eligible ages, class size or illness policy.

It also describes the location only as Vista near the San Marcos border. No venue name or street address appears publicly.

Those details may be provided privately after registration. They are not available for families comparing options beforehand.

Ask Before You Pay

The class could offer useful practice in manners, recall, walking and puppy-owner communication.

But families should confirm whether the $225 covers additional sessions, AKC testing and processing fees.

That determines whether they are purchasing a four-week obedience course, a path toward AKC S.T.A.R. or both.

Puppies may chase their tails.

Their owners should not have to chase the terms.

Questions About Puppy Class 

When is the puppy class?

It is advertised for Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., plus a 20-minute Yappy Hour.

How much does it cost?

The advertised price is $225.

Can four classes earn an AKC S.T.A.R. credential?

AKC requires at least six weeks and six classes. The announcement does not explain whether additional sessions are included.

Where will it be held?

The announcement says Vista near the San Marcos border but does not publish the venue.

Can mixed-breed puppies participate?

Yes. AKC allows both purebred and mixed-breed dogs.