Deciding on Your Young puppy
The idea of raising a new young puppy on your own may be frustrating. You really want a doggy that can fit in  nicely with your life style. Your life in Lafayette, California is stressful, you may have a full time profession, a new family, you may like to travel or may be you just retired. We provide a worry free experience to add that  incredible dog to your life.

The Program Starts With a Consultation
We know it’s important that you know who you will be dealing with. Developing a relationship is very important to our team in Lafayette, California. Our talk begins with basic questions and leads into an detailed conversation, which will give us a better idea of who you are and what your perfect dog would be. We like to have a fantastic working relationship with you. It begins the journey to decide on, teach and raise your puppy.

Finding The Perfect Breed For Your Household
Once you have determined you are ready to include that amazing dog to your life in Lafayette, California. You have your heart set on a particular breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our pups that are currently in our puppy raising program. Certainly there are things to take into consideration for example, the type of house you live in, maybe you work full time, maybe you are raising a  little family, you you may love to go on vacation or you’ve recently retired. This information will not limit your choices, but instead help clarify your everyday life in Lafayette, CA. We will help guide you in this decision making process. As we learn more about you, we can aid you decide what you want and which breed will best suit your life-style.

Finding The Right Breeder in Lafayette, California
We work with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and exceptional temperament of their pups. The initial eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as critical as to what happens after. A good breeder is aware of this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a rapport with many fine breeders. We particularly pursue breeders who recognize the early role they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their puppies grows through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a wonderful life.  It is quite important to work closely with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback and also our years of knowledge to pick out the puppy with the best temperament for a potential new family.

The Puppy‘s Training in Lafayette, California
Training your pup is a combination of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, nurturing healthy relationships, along with exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments.Such as, we have the pup sleep overnight with different people in various settings; which develops a dog for you who is comfortable and easy to live with because he or she can easily adapt|adjusts} to your lifestyle. Because of this and exposures to other factors your dog readily connects with you and your family.

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

Training starts the minute a new puppy is in our care in Lafayette, California. Once we pick the pup from the litter, the first thing we would like to accomplish is developing confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We start our relationship having fun while always teaching. Under our close guidance, we start exposing the puppy to its new world. For example, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over branches, and even get somewhat close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your dog to the world while at the same time strengthening our bond. We are huge dog lovers, but still incredibly aware in those moments it is essential to focus more on being a leader and guide as the new puppy discovers this new world without having the companionship of its litter mates or mom.

Crucial time for learning
During the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no limit as to what we may integrate into our strategies. Frequently we use particular places or objects to create an experience for the pup. Occasionally a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Lafayette, California. Our options and imagination are unlimited. Every exposure and experience builds on the last one. Through all of this, we closely observe the puppy. We never restrict ourselves to rigid rules. We try to be more creative, think outside the box, and benefit from events that manifest before us. Those opportunities are priceless when it comes to teaching the pup.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We often think of it as an early investment in the life of this dog. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and living with us in Lafayette, 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 any other period of time in their lives. The quality and quantity of what they experience will have a massive influence on their future personalities and decide a number 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 a good time with our new puppy.

A Well-Mannered Dog
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained pup is so much more than just obedient. Knowing how to sit, stay or walk nicely on a loose leash are important things to learn. Good manners, great social skills and a healthy relationship with his or her family are extremely important. In addition, desensitization, exposure to many different distractions and situations, in addition to having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Lafayette, CA is equally important.

Our focus is to create a puppy with remarkable manners and social skills. We begin by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which continues 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, making it a standard request in our regular routine as well as within each new situation we expose your puppy to. We move from shaping to defining commands and proofing them with distractions, duration and distance. Communication is at the core of our philosophy. Being very clear and consistent is key. We limit our words when giving commands. We want your dog to understand what we want when we give them the command. When we say ‘come’ or ‘here’ we expect 100% response immediately.

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

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

Testing in the Real World in Lafayette, California 
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction locations. For example, we practice recalls when your dog is very distracted maybe chasing something as common as a squirrel. We practice and proof obedience in high traffic locations, around barking dogs, near playgrounds and within public places.

As the puppy moves through the adolescent stage we continue to challenge the dog by putting him or her in various scenarios. We consider each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the dog? How does that picture differ from day to day or location to location. We are working to teach a dog how to cope in each new and different setting or situation. We are raising a puppy that isn’t dependent on continual commands that dictate what he or she should and should not do. In fact, we want a dog that can make good decisions. Our main goal is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will fit into your home.

We continue to reinforce and fine-tune manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the puppy has been residing with the dog trainer in their individual home. Throughout this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights staying with another family member or close friend. Offering this opportunity, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in new settings. This ensures those habits and good manners will remain when he or she moves in to your house in Lafayette, CA.