Picking Your Pup
The thought of raising a new young puppy by yourself might be stressful. You really want a pup that will fit in  nicely with your life-style. Your life in Kensington, California can be hectic, you’ve got a full-time schedule, a new family, you like to travel or may be you just retired. We provide a stress and anxiety free experience to add in that  incredible dog to your life.

The Experience Begins With a Consultation
We know it is important that you know who you will be partnering with. Establishing a relationship is very important to our company in Kensington, California. Our discussion starts with simple questions and leads into an thorough discussion, which will provide us a clearer idea of who you are and what your perfect dog might be. We would like to have a wonderful working partnership with you. It begins the journey to pick, teach and raise your puppy.

Finding The Best Breed For Your Family
Once you have determined you want to add that perfect dog to your life in Kensington, California. You may have your heart set on a specific breed or maybe you want one of our dogs that are currently in our puppy raising program. There are things to take into consideration such as where you live, your schedule, maybe you are raising a  little family, you you may love to travel or maybe you have recently retired. All this will not minimize your options, yet help clarify your way of life in Kensington, CA. We will help guide you in the decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can help you choose what you want and which puppy will best fit your life-style.

Finding The Best Breeder in Kensington, California
We collaborate with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and exceptional temperament of their puppies. The initial eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as significant as to what follows. A great breeder is aware of this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have established a rapport with many amazing breeders. We particularly pursue breeders who are aware of the early part they play in a puppies life. They understand when one of their pups goes through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a wonderful life.  It is extremely important to work carefully with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback as well as our years of expertise to pick out the puppy with the best temperament for a potential new family.

The Puppy‘s Training in Kensington, California
Training your new puppy is a mixture of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, nurturing healthy relationships, along with exposing your puppy successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments. For instance, we may have the pup sleep overnight with different people in different settings; which in turn develops a dog for you who is relaxed and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your lifestyle. As a result of this and exposures to other variables your dog easily connects with you and your family.

Imprinting Good Behavior ~Birth to 16 Weeks
Getting your puppy from the breeder

Training starts the moment a new puppy is in our care in Kensington, California. Once we choose the pup from the litter, the very first thing we wish to accomplish is building confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We start our relationship having fun even though we’re always teaching. Under our close guidance, we begin exposing the puppy to its new world. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, go up and down stairs, walk over branches, and also get relatively near to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your dog to the world while building up our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet remarkably aware in those moments it is imperative to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new puppy discovers this new world without having the presence of its litter mates or mom.

Crucial time for learning
During the first few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no limitation as to what we may integrate into our methods. Typically we use particular areas or objects to create an experience for the puppy. At times a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Kensington, California. Our options and vision are unlimited. Every exposure and experience builds upon the prior one. Through all of this, we closely observe the puppy. We do not restrict ourselves to rigid rules. We try to be more creative, think outside the box, and make use of events that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes down to teaching the puppy.

Every interaction with the new pup is a teaching moment. We often consider it as an early investment in the life of this pup. This is the first time away from their littermates and living with us in Kensington, California. Puppies have a small window of time during brain development when they are most impressionable. This is called the imprinting also known as the critical learning period. Puppies learn more during this time than they can learn in a lifetime. The quality and quantity of what they encounter will have a huge influence on their future personalities and decide many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the course of the imprinting period, every experience is crucial. It is essential to build their self-confidence. The phrase ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are taking in every experience like a sponge, we must stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new pup.

A Well-Mannered Dog
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained pup is much more than just obedient. Knowing how to sit, stay or walk nicely on a loose leash are necessary things to learn. Good manners, great social skills and a healthy relationship with his or her family are vital. Additionally, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, along with being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Kensington, CA is equally important.

Our focus is to raise a dog with remarkable manners and social skills. We begin by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which carries on as we fine-tune the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a strong foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, keeping it a standard request in our everyday routine in addition to within each new situation we expose your puppy to. We move from shaping to formalizing commands and testing them with distractions, duration and distance. Communication is at the center of our philosophy. Being very clear and consistent is key. We restrict our words when giving commands. We want your dog to understand what we mean when we give them the command. When we say ‘come’ or ‘here’ we expect 100% response immediately.

Proofing Behavior in a Social World in Kensington, CA
6 months to young adult

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the typical age when many dogs are re-homed or given up to animal shelters. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup turning into a monster. That nice puppy can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever imagine. Many owners hope their canine will grow out of undesirable behaviors. Their dog is testing what is permitted and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue rehearsing naughty acts makes changing unwanted behavior more challenging.

Working in the Real World in Kensington, California 
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction places. For example, we practice recalls when your dog is extremely distracted perhaps chasing something like a squirrel. We test and proof obedience in high traffic places, around barking dogs, around playgrounds and within public places.

As the puppy moves through the adolescent stage we continue to challenge the dog by putting it in various scenarios. We think of each situation as a picture. How does that look like to the dog? How does that picture shift from day to day or location to location. We are aiming to teach a dog how to cope in every new and different environment or scenario. We are raising a dog that isn’t reliant on constant commands that control what he or she should and should not do. Instead, we prefer a dog that can make good decisions. Our top priority is to have a well-balanced dog, who will fit into your home.

We continue to reinforce and fine-tune good manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. During this time, the dog has been staying with the trainer in his or her individual home. Throughout this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another family member or close friend. Giving this opportunity, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in new settings. This makes sure those habits and good manners will stay when he moves in to your house in Kensington, CA.