“Your puppy is learning at lightning speed. What about you? Are you keeping up with your puppy?” A new dog is a new opportunity. The first few months will shape the rest of his life. At Van Stal, you make sure to put them to good use.
Here, fetch your information
- Coursedays: Saturdays
- Choose from 3 packages (Light, Academy, and Deluxe)
- Groupsize: Max 5 dogs
- 4 weeks of training
- Certified trainers
- Indoor Training (Theory and Practice)
- Welcome package, including a discount voucher
- Full vaccination not required
- Klik voor de ENGLISH EDITION
PUPPYCOURSE AMSTERDAM & AMSTELVEEN
Choose your package
New: Choose between the Light, Academy, or Deluxe puppy package
Puppy Light 
A great foundation for you and your puppy
- ✓ 4 groupsessions
- ✓ Theorysession (1 hour)
- ✓ Puppy & horse socialisation
- ✓ Maximum of 5 pups per group
- ✓ Certified trainers
- ✓ Indoor venue in case of bad weather
- ✓ Welcom package incl. discount voucher
- ✓ Harness Fit/Borrow Service
- ✓ Dog Insurance Discount (Pet Secur)
- ✓ Discount on the Separation Anxiety Program
Puppy Academy 
More guidance and in-depth learning
- ✓ Everything from Puppy Light
- ✓ Phone Consultation (15 min.)
- ✓ Online Puppy Learning Environment (24/7)
- ✓ Instructional Videos & Theory (5+ hours)
- ✓ Community & Q&A
- ✓ Videofeedback behaviorist
- ✓ Bonus Module: Child & Dog
- ✓ Bonus module: Fireworks
Puppy Deluxe 
Maximum personalized support
- ✓ Everything from Puppy Academy
- ✓ 1 private lesson at home or on-site
- ✓ WhatsApp guidance
- ✓ Personal Training Plan
- ✓ Free social walk
Inschrijven
First, select the start date, then choose your package
OUR PROMISE
Puppies learn very quickly. Can you keep up with your puppy?
The first few weeks with a puppy are incredibly wonderful. And sometimes just overwhelming.
You’re so happy with your new puppy, and your heart melts every time you see that sweet little face, but at the same time, you’re not getting enough sleep, your puppy is chewing on everything, and you’re wondering if you’re doing everything right.
This is exactly the right time to get started. Because what happens now lays the foundation for the rest of your lives. Your sweet little puppy will be a teenager in just a few weeks, and a teenager with a solid foundation is a whole different story—a much happier one, in fact. At Van Stal, you’ll learn exactly what your puppy needs, so you can be confident that you’re doing it right.
Our goal? For you to no longer need us
That might sound strange for a dog training school. But we’re only truly successful when you understand so well what your dog is communicating and what it needs that you can handle it on your own. No dependence on us, but a solid foundation for a lifetime of working together.
THE RESULT
“Barney turned out to be an eager-to-learn but anxious puppy. At Van Stal, I immediately learned how to help her—she’s much less afraid now and recovers quickly when things do get a little scary. I feel more confident, and so does Barney. I highly recommend it to anyone with a puppy!”
WHAT DO WE COVER?
We'll take care of it. You just enjoy your puppy.
The puppy stage is special, but also demanding. We know exactly what challenges you’ll face and will make sure you’re ready for them. Become the best companion for your dog, so you can both get the most out of life together.
- Understanding and recognizing a dog's needs
- Reading and correctly interpreting body language
- Dealing with undesirable behavior (e.g., biting, jumping, pulling)
- Play, interaction, and building connections
- Potty training and daily routine
- Socialization with people, children, and animals (We train with horses during the lessons)
- Early identification of insecurity or anxiety, to build self-confidence and prevent problem behavior later in life.
An exceptional puppy training course with an indoor training area
We work exclusively in small groups with certified behaviorists. No cookie-cutter approach, no amateur therapists. We focus on your dog and guide you both together.
Your knowledge grows along with your puppy
A puppy learns everything very quickly in the first few weeks. An owner who doesn’t understand the behavior misses the crucial moment, which can lead to problems. We’ll make sure you recognize the signs in time.
Reading body language: the key to peace of mind
A tense puppy, an overstimulated dog, fear masquerading as aggression—it’s all in the body language. If you learn to read it, you can prevent problems before they escalate.
Recognizing early signs of anxiety
Does your puppy tend to be insecure, easily upset, or withdrawn? We recognize these signs and will work with you to guide your puppy in the right direction, long before the behavior becomes ingrained. An insecure puppy will often act out later in life (barking, snapping, showing aggression toward things that make him anxious).
Puppy & horse: life skills for real life
During puppy-horse training, you’ll learn that proper socialization is much more than just exposing your dog to different situations and hoping for the best. You’ll learn how to socialize: what does
Your dog in this situation—what do you see in his body language? When do you step in, and when do you give him space?
We do this in a controlled environment so that we can prevent negative associations and help your puppy build confidence step by step. The result: a dog that will remain calm around horses later on. This is something that goes wrong more often than you might think in the woods or in the countryside.
But it goes further than that. Once you understand how socialization works, you can apply that knowledge to every stimulus: heavy traffic, children, other dogs, unfamiliar sounds. Your dog will develop real-life skills that will last a lifetime.
Early detection of anxiety
Does your puppy tend to be insecure, easily upset, or withdrawn? We recognize these signs and will work with you to guide your puppy in the right direction, long before the behavior becomes ingrained.
Classes are always held
A spacious indoor venue is available, so Amsterdam’s dreary fall weather won’t stop your training. Consistency is the key to good parenting.
Certified Behavioral experts
Our behavior specialists are certified and trained according to the latest insights in animal behavior. At Van Stal, we look beyond the behavior itself: we seek to understand the emotion behind it, so that you can truly understand your dog. That way, you’ll know exactly how to turn undesirable behavior into desirable behavior.
Online Puppy Learning Environment, even after the last lesson
24/7 access to instructional videos, training materials, checklists, and an active community. Because real life happens at home, not just during class.
OVERVIEW
Package Comparison
| What's included? | Puppy Light |
Puppy Academy |
Puppy Deluxe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price, including VAT | €99,- | €185,- (worth €300,-) |
€299,- (worth €505,-) |
| Group Classes | 4 classes | 4 classes | 4 classes + private lesson |
| Theory Class (1 hour) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Puppy & horse socialisation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Max. 5 puppies per group | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Certified trainers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indoor venue in case of bad weather | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Welcome package, including a discount voucher | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Harness Fit / Borrow Service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discount on Dog Insurance (Pet Secur) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discount on the Separation Anxiety Program | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Phone consultation (15 min.) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Puppy Learning Environment (24/7) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instructional Videos & Theory (5+ hours) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Community & Q&A | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video Feedback from a Behavioral Specialist | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bonus module Child & Dog | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bonus module Firework | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discount on Toddler & Elementary Course | ✕ | 5% | 5% |
| 1 private lesson at home or on-site | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| WhatsApp guidance | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Personal trainings plan | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Free social walk | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Our online learning environment: your source of knowledge between classes
Do you want the very best for your puppy and to become the best guide for your dog? With Van Stal’s Puppy Academy and Deluxe programs, you’ll get access to our online learning environment: a wealth of knowledge that will help you truly understand your dog.
Did you know that a dog’s needs and learning experiences are often different from what people think? And that body language is the key to building a strong bond with your dog? Without speaking that language, communication becomes difficult. It’s a bit like trying to understand Chinese without ever having learned it. Most people are familiar with the basic signals, but it’s precisely the deeper understanding of dog language and the ability to interpret it in terms of behavior that are essential for properly guiding your puppy and preventing problem behaviors before they arise.
At your own pace and whenever it’s convenient for you: more than 5 hours of video content, quizzes, guided exercises, theory, training plans, checklists, and articles. Are you feeling unsure, or is your dog exhibiting behavior you don’t quite know how to handle? Ask your question online, or upload a video of your home situation for personalized feedback—that way, you’re never on your own between in-person lessons.
And then there’s the community: it’s fun to make connections, plan a playdate with fellow Van Stal students, or resell items your puppy has outgrown—that toy he doesn’t play with anyway, the puzzle that’s become too easy, or the harness that’s too tight.
In short: with the online learning environment, you’ll learn more about your dog every day, so you won’t have to feel unsure about your approach.
Private Lessons: In-depth instruction exactly where you need it
Sometimes you just want to take a closer look at your situation and lay all your personal concerns out on the table. Because having a puppy isn’t just fun—it also brings questions and uncertainties. Maybe you had imagined things a little differently at first. We love nothing more than helping you with those concerns and guiding you through this wonderful journey with your dog.
A puppy changes in the blink of an eye and learns quickly—things you’d love to see, but also things you’d rather not. If you’re not yet sure exactly how to guide your puppy, this can sometimes be challenging. A private lesson gives you the in-depth guidance you need during this vulnerable early stage of your puppy’s life, tailored entirely to your situation.
Here's what you'll get out of it
Those first few weeks with your puppy will shape the rest of your time together. With a private lesson, you invest your time and energy specifically in the issues you’re facing, so you can lay the foundation now and reap the benefits later. You’ll build confidence as a trainer, get answers to both your minor and major concerns, and prevent behavior from getting worse. That way, you’ll be able to look forward positively, instead of thinking later, “If only I had…”
Starting now, private lessons are also included as standard in the Deluxe package. This means that, in addition to the hands-on lessons and the online learning environment, you’ll also get that personalized, in-depth guidance exactly when you need it.
THE DIFFERENCE
This is how we make a difference
We believe that behavior starts with understanding your dog’s perspective.
Take the first step today toward becoming the best companion for your dog.
| Common Issues | Van Stal Puppy Training Course |
|---|---|
| Large groups (8–12 dogs) | Up to 5 puppies, plenty of one-on-one attention |
| In-person only | Classes + full online learning environment (24/7) |
| No support outside of class hours | Community, Q&A, video feedback, and phone consultations |
| Outdoor training, even in bad weather | Classes are always held; spacious, inviting indoor facility |
| Teaching Commands Without Context | Understanding Behavior and Preventing Problems |