Puppies are ready to start learning at any age. The younger they are the easier it is to avoid unwanted habits from developing and to begin to lay the foundation. That being said, due to the risks associated with viruses that can affect young puppies, we do require that all pups entering any of our programs be at least 10 weeks of age and have at least 2 rounds of parvo/distember immunizations.

We consider ourselves balanced trainers with a very strong emphasis on positive reinforcement for the younger pups. While we are not opposed to establishing clear boundaries for the puppies, we find that looking for and rewarding the behaviors that we want at this age creates a stronger foundation and deeper bond.

We use both treats and corrections. Majority of the work with the puppies is based on treats and redirection but we will use corrections in the form of leash guidance or words if needed.

Regardless of which program your puppy is participating in, they are put on a clear schedule from day one. Pups are encouraged to get adequate sleep and dedicated naps and when they are awake we are keeping them engaged and actively working on trainings, socialization and activities. Each day your puppy will get 2 one on one training sessions to work on commands and manners. They have group trainings 1-2 times a day and training also happens throughout the day as we implement guidance and structure into their interactions and behaviors. Additionally your pup has an outing and/or new experience daily and a daily body handling/grooming practice.

We typically work with 3-5 pups at a time. There are times that this number is higher or lower depending on the season. Regardless of how many pups we have they all still live in our home with our family and have dedicated one on one time and their own space. During times when we have more pups in the home we have trusted trainers and helpers who come in daily to ensure that every puppy is getting the same level of training and engagement.

Pups must be between 10 weeks and 16 weeks to begin this program. Younger pups do not qualify based on safety reasons with the prevalence of parvo and other viruses. Older pups we recommend different training options as they have typically developed some unwanted habits and behaviors which require a different level of training. If you have a puppy older than 16 weeks and are interested in training you can reach out to find out if we have availability for more advanced work. These spots are limited as we typically don’t take them unless we have a very low number of young puppies.

The length of the program you choose depends on what your goals are for your puppy and your family. Some families are looking for a quick start and then want to take over at home where others want to step in and have a pup already more polished. If you are unsure which is right please contact us so we can discuss what may be best for your family.

Because the majority of the puppies in our program are not fully vaccinated we prefer to limit the amount of visitors in our home to reduce the chances of external pathogens being brought in. If a family would like to visit their puppy during training we limit this to one visit and have strict protocols that are discussed with the family prior to the visit.

The majority of the puppies that we work with are goldendoodles and other doodle breeds but we love working with all breeds of puppies!