Pupstart Academy

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Established 2019, positive reinforcement, Christchurch

Puppy & adolescent dog training · Christchurch

Raising a confident, sociable, calm and happy dog starts here.

Pupstart Academy runs small-group puppy and adolescent classes on a safe enclosed field in Halswell. We teach with treats, patience and science — never punishment — and every course is led by a certified trainer.

Enrol your puppy →

Pupstart Academy

Puppy classes.

For puppies 8–16 weeks old. Small groups of six puppies maximum. Four weekly sessions on Saturday mornings.

  • Foundation Puppy

    $195 · 4 weeks

    • Supervised off-lead socialisation with matched playmates
    • Sit, down, touch, name response
    • Gentle lead introduction
    • House-training troubleshooting
    • Settling on a mat at cafés and homes
    • Handling for vet visits and grooming

  • Puppy Plus

    $220 · 4 weeks

    • Everything in Foundation plus:
    • Recall with distractions
    • Loose-lead walking in public
    • Leave it and drop
    • Polite greeting (no jumping)
    • Confidence obstacles (ramps, tunnels, surfaces)

New puppy owner

What about teenage dogs?

My dog is seven months old, and everything we learnt as a puppy seems to have been forgotten. Is there a class for that?

Pupstart Academy

Absolutely — meet Adolescent Reset.

Dogs between 5 and 18 months go through a second fear period and a surge of independence. It is completely normal and does not mean your training failed. Our six-week adolescent course rebuilds focus, impulse control and recall in a structured, supportive way.

Adolescent Reset

$320 · 6 weeks

  • Reliable recall under distraction
  • Impulse control (waiting at doors, food manners)
  • Lead reactivity management
  • Focus exercises in busy environments
  • Calming protocols for over-aroused dogs
  • One private 30-min session included

New puppy owner

How do I know which class is right?

My puppy is a border collie cross, about four months old and 12 kg already. Which course fits?

Pupstart Academy

Let us check for you.

Find your class

Choose a weight range and age to see your recommendation.

New puppy owner

What training method do you use?

Pupstart Academy

Positive reinforcement, always.

We reward the behaviour we want with food, play and praise — and we ignore or redirect the behaviour we don't. We never use prong collars, choke chains, e-collars, alpha rolls or any form of punishment. Every technique we teach is backed by peer-reviewed animal behaviour science.

  1. Enrol

    Choose your course and pay online. We send a welcome email with what to bring, vaccination requirements and field directions.

  2. Attend

    Four or six Saturday sessions (depending on course). Each class is 50 minutes. Arrive five minutes early. Bring treats, a flat collar or harness, and a 1.5 m lead.

  3. Practise

    We email a short homework sheet after each session — five minutes a day is enough. Real-world practice is where the learning sticks.

  4. Graduate

    Every dog gets a certificate. Foundation Puppy graduates receive a 10 % discount on any follow-up course within six months.

Pupstart Academy

Our trainers.

  • KT

    Kate Thornton

    Head trainer · CPDT-KA

    Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Knowledge Assessed). Ten years' experience. Previously ran puppy socialisation programmes for the SPCA Canterbury.

  • SR

    Sam Reeves

    Trainer · Dip. Animal Behaviour

    Specialist in adolescent and reactive dogs. Competes in dog agility and has three rescue dogs of varying opinions.

  • ML

    Mere Leota

    Trainer · Cert. Dog Training

    Joined 2023 after completing Delta Society certification. Gentle, patient, and particularly good with nervous puppies and first-time owners.

New puppy owner

Any other questions I should ask?

Pupstart Academy

Here are the ones we hear most.

Does my puppy need vaccinations?

Yes — at least one round of core vaccinations (C3 or C5) at least seven days before the first class. We check vaccination records at enrolment. Our field is fully enclosed and not a public dog park, so the risk is low, but we take it seriously.

What if my puppy is too old for Foundation?

Foundation Puppy suits 8–16 weeks. If your puppy is 4–6 months with no prior training, Puppy Plus is a better fit. Over six months, go straight to Adolescent Reset — it is designed for exactly that gap.

Can I bring my children?

Children over seven are welcome and encouraged — learning to handle the family dog is valuable. Under-sevens need a second adult to supervise them, as the trainer's attention is on the dogs.

What if we miss a class?

You can make up one missed session in the next intake at no charge. Two or more missed sessions — talk to Kate and we will find a solution.

Do you offer private sessions?

Yes — $120 per hour, at our field or your home (Christchurch metro only). Adolescent Reset includes one private session. Book via email.

Pupstart Academy

What other owners say.

  • We brought Mabel at nine weeks and she was terrified of other dogs. By week four she was play-bowing at the biggest puppy in the class. Kate is magic.
    — Anna & Josh, Spreydon, Foundation Puppy 2025
  • Our teenager Reuben was pulling like a freight train and ignoring recall completely. Six weeks of Adolescent Reset and he walks next to us off lead at the park.
    — Pete M., Halswell, Adolescent Reset 2026
  • The homework emails are genius. Five minutes a day with treats and our Cavoodle now settles on a mat at any café in Christchurch. Worth every cent.
    — Priya S., Merivale, Puppy Plus 2026

Pupstart Academy

Class schedule.

All classes at our enclosed field, 14 Sparks Road, Halswell. Parking on-site.

CourseDayTimeNext intake
Foundation PuppySaturday9:00 am3 Oct 2026
Puppy PlusSaturday10:15 am3 Oct 2026
Adolescent ResetSaturday11:30 am10 Oct 2026
Private sessionBy arrangementWeekdays—

Pupstart Academy

Enrol now.

Fill in the form and we will email a confirmation with payment details, vaccination checklist and what to bring to your first class.