Puppy Head-Start Program
Puppy Training begins the moment you encounter your pup and continues over the life of your dog. Your dog is never too young to begin training and the earlier you start, the better.
I may look at puppy training different from other trainers and organizations. I can teach a 12-year-old dog obedience but I may not be able to fix very problematic behavior issues in the same dog.
My main focus with puppies is teaching them to live in our homes and avoiding common mistakes before unwanted behaviors begin. Housebreaking is my #1 priority followed closely by social behavior, confidence building, building a tolerance to touch and handling and eliminating puppy biting and destructive behavior.
Each of my puppy programs ensures that not only your dog is best prepared for their lives in the home, but you as owners are best prepared, too.
Insights
Obedience commands & training such as Sit, Down, Here and Heel are relatively minor in importance to building a puppy that is confident, social, pleasant, quiet, relaxed and fun instead of vocal, destructive, nipping & biting, fearful, anti-social or one who pees on your carpet and tile or poops in every corner of your house, on your bed or even in your shoes (yes this happens!!).
There are plenty of dogs in the world who know only a couple of commands but are amazing dogs because they are polite, respectfully and know the house rules. In an older pup (over 20 weeks) obedience can help you control your dog, lead your dog, show your pup what you are looking for because their brain is at a more mature point of development.
In young puppies, we have to shape behaviors and create good habits which allow us to avoid problems entirely instead of trying over the life of your dog to fix a problem that really began in puppyhood. I have seen many dogs with behavior problems that actually have good obedience behaviors because obedience was the focus in the beginning. Obedience is important but it can be trained at any point over a dog's life. I generally begin formal obedience in dogs over 20 weeks old.
I do introduce puppies to the basic command but I do not hold them accountable to them the way I may hold an adult or adolescent dog to the same command. I shape the behavior, repeat it often and keep it fun so your pup doesn't even realize he is "working". I build good habits which can then be refined and polished as the pup matures.
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I have seen many dogs with behavioral problems that actually have good obedience behaviors because obedience was the focus in the beginning.
Puppy Consultation
In this Private (in your home) lesson, I work with you before your pup arrives, when you come home together or after your pup is in the house.
I will teach you and your family how to interact with your pup and avoid mistakes to prevent major problems later in life and make your new puppy everything you want it to be.
The session lasts about three hours and covers a spectrum of different subjects.
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Housebreaking / Crate Training
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Control of Resources
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Food / Feeding
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Handling Drills / Building a tolerance to touch
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Preparing your dog for the Vet
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Grooming (including nail trimming)
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Leash management
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Socialization
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Toys & Games
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Schedules
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Reducing barking, whining and crying
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Avoiding major and minor mistakes
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Getting the family involved
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Preventing / Stopping puppy biting
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Fear / Nervousness / Imprinting
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Timelines for Training
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Types and Methods of Training
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Advantages / Disadvantages of each method
Puppy Steps Class
Obedience
Sit, Down, Here, Heel, and Place
Socialization
Interacting with puppies and adult dogs at the end of each session.
Games
Frisbee, Tug, Retrieving,
and Agility
Tactical Experiences
building confidence on a variety of item surfaces & shapes including agility and confidence building equipment
Puppy Boot Camp
This program is only for very difficult cases. If your pup is between 8 and 18 weeks old and you have serious problems housebreaking your puppy, severe puppy biting with no inhibition, problems with leash walking, extreme whining, barking and or crying we can do much of the hard work for you and build a schedule that fits your lifestyle and needs of your dog.
We introduce your little one to your expectations including all the items included in the Puppy Consultation and Puppy Steps Program such as obedience commands, patience, handling, leash walking, crating, socialization and housetraining and then help you reintegrate your pup back into your home.
This program is not for everyone. Only about 5% of puppies ever need this and I do my best to ensure you do not but in the case that your pup is one of the tough ones, I can and will help you with this option.
