Puppy Training: where to start
The above videos illustrate a technique referred to as shaping. We started with “shaping” this puppy to touch objects and then moved specifically to the bells.
Day three of a board and train with a 16 week old Golden. Working on movement, handling, sequencing, basic behaviors. The earlier you can get your puppy started, the better.
We like to incorporate a lot of cooperative care, exposure to the world, movement, and handling; as well as core foundational skills we believe are critical for every puppy or dog. Some things we like to address during puppy sessions are:
How does my puppy learn (arousal vs. drive, extracting talent and assessing talent)
Understanding the types of rewards we can use and how to use them and when (verbal praise, toys, petting, food)
Understanding open and closed sources, how to handle, hold and distribute food to manipulate positioning
Hierarchy of rewards and when they are necessary or recommended (upgrading and downgrading)
Housebreaking
Crate training (driving in, settling, and release cue)
Addressing separation anxiety, attachment and independence/confidence (incremental crating while present)
Socialization, exposure to sounds, surfaces, experiences and build positive associations (starting at a young age to also generalize skills)
Touch sensitivity & collar grabs and overall body handling and manipulation
Marking behaviors/clicker training/use of tools/props
Learning name, focus, engagement (including toy play)
Addressing jumping and how to avoid it from happening in the first place
Addressing play biting/mouthing and how to avoid and redirect it
Understanding elements of distance, distraction, and duration and when they come into play when building your training
Nutritional needs, chews
Recall and building value with the handler/owner
Stimulus control and channeling energy and drive
Resource guarding/training objects/give/out
Sits and downs and stands (achieving specific positions like a close sit front)
Release cues
Hand touching and touching objects or wrapping around/send outs
Heeling and walking (left, right, and center + contact heeling)
Stay and holding duration
Shaping: sending to a mat or bed
Addressing demand barking and how to avoid it/teaching vocals on cue
Basic body handling/petting
Staying on leash with another person
Adequate exercise plan
Proper health and vaccinations
IN-YOUR-HOME PUPPY TRAINING PACKAGES
INITIAL CONSULT/FIRST SESSION = $165.00 (1.5-2HRS)
SINGLE SESSION = $120.00 (MIN. 60 MINUTES)
BRONZE TRAINING PACKAGE = $480.00 (INCLUDES 4 SESSIONS)
SILVER TRAINING PACKAGE = $684.00 (INCLUDES 6 SESSIONS, 1X-2X/WK + 5% SAVINGS)
GOLD TRAINING PACKAGE = $1,080.00 (INCLUDES 10 SESSIONS, 1-2X/WK + 10% SAVINGS)
ALL STAR PACKAGE = $2,040 (INCLUDES 20 SESSIONS, 15% SAVINGS)
PLEASE NOTE, SINGLE SESSIONS ARE BOOKED AS AVAILABLE. PACKAGES HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.
*we recommend scheduling a lesson at least once per week for at least the first 6-8 weeks for puppies or dogs under one year of age.
SINGLE/CONSULT SESSION:
Your first session will include Q&A to address your current challenges, concerns, questions, and goals. In addition, we will work your puppy to get him or her started with some core foundations we believe every puppy should have.
- household dynamics
- current setup and schedule
- challenges/concerns/goals
- how your puppy learns
- understand reward hierarchy
- housebreaking
- crate training and overall management
- proper socialization
- body handling/touch sensitivity
- addressing jumping/play biting/chewing
- value building/focus/engagement
- impulse control
- shaping your puppy
- marking behaviors we like and ignoring what we don’t
If you are dedicated to working with your puppy in between sessions, both you and your puppy with progress a lot fasters. Reliable core foundations are critical as your puppy gets older. Setting good standards and clear expectations is important from the get go!
- responding to their name
- sit
- down
- leash walking
- recall
- release cues
- sending to a placemat
- touching objects
- heel position
- resource guarding
- stay
As you further your training and develop strong and reliable behaviors…the fun is just beginning! We will start proofing those behaviors and adding in additional elements of distance, distraction, & duration to ensure we are setting your puppy up for success!
- meeting new people & dogs
- being in new environments
- upholding skills from previous sessions and building upon them
- sit-stay
- down-stay
- stay in the presence of distractions
- recall with distractions
When you are getting reliable behaviors, your puppy becomes a lot more pleasant to be around. You shape him or her to be a respectful member of the household.
- engagement and enrichment drills
- shaping and teaching new behaviors
- thinking about future goals