Deciding on Your New Puppy
The idea of raising a new pup by yourself can be overwhelming. You really want a dog that is going to match  wonderfully with your life-style. Your life in Moraga, California possible is stressful, you’ve got a full time job, a young family, you like to travel or may be you just retired. We provide a stress and anxiety free experience to add in that  remarkable dog to your life.

The Program Begins With a Assessment
We know it’s important that you know who you will be teaming up with. Building a relationship is incredibly important to us in Moraga, California. Our chat starts with straightforward questions and leads into an in depth discussion, which will provide us a much better idea of who you are and what your perfect dog would be. We would like to have a excellent working relationship with you. It starts the journey to decide on, teach and raise your pup.

Picking The Perfect Breed For Your Household
Once you have determined you want to add that perfect dog to your life in Moraga, California. You may have your heart set on a particular breed or maybe you want one of our dogs that are currently in our puppy raising program. There are things to take into consideration including the type of house you live in, your schedule, are raising a  little family, you love to go on vacation or you’ve recently retired. This information will not restrict your options, but instead help clarify your life-style in Moraga, CA. We will help guide you in the decision making process. As we learn more about you, we can aid you choose what you want and which puppy will best fit your life-style.

Selecting The Best Breeder in Moraga, California
We work with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and excellent temperament of their pups. The initial eight weeks of a new pups life are as significant as to what happens after. A great breeder understands this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a rapport with many exquisite breeders. We particularly seek breeders who are aware of the early part they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their pups goes through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a excellent life.  It’s really important to work carefully with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback and also our years of experience to pick out the puppy with the best temperament for the potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Moraga, California
Training your dog is a combination of teaching new skill-sets including manners, setting boundaries, fostering healthy relationships, and also exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all various environments. For instance, we have the puppy sleep overnight with different people in various settings; which in turn creates a dog for you who is relaxed 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 members.

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

Training starts the instant a new puppy is in our hands in Moraga, California. Once we pick the puppy from the litter, the first thing we want to accomplish is developing confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We begin our relationship having fun while always teaching. Under our close guidance, we start exposing the pup to its new world. For instance, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over branches, and maybe even get somewhat near to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your puppy to the world while at the same time building up our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet extremely aware in those moments it is imperative to focus more on being a leader and guide as the new pup learns about this new world without having the presence of its litter mates or mom.

Most important 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 will incorporate into our techniques. Frequently we use particular spots or objects to create an experience for the puppy. In some cases a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Moraga, California. Our decisions and creativity are unlimited. Every exposure and experience builds on the prior one. Through all of this, we thoroughly supervise the puppy. We do not restrict ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to get more creative, think outside the box, and make the most of occasions that unfold before us. Those opportunities are priceless when it comes to teaching the pup.

Every interaction with the new pup is a teaching moment. We often think of it as an early investment in the life of this puppy. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and staying with us in Moraga, 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 period than any other period of time in their lives. The quality and quantity of what they encounter will have a significant influence on their future personalities and determine many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the imprinting stage, every experience is vital. It is important to build their self-confidence. The expression ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are soaking up every experience like a sponge, we must stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new puppy.

A Well-Mannered Pal
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained puppy is far 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 paramount. In addition, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, in addition to being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Moraga, CA is equally important.

Our focus is to raise a dog with impeccable manners and social skills. We begin by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which carries on as we refine the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a stable foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, keeping it a normal request in our daily routine as well as within each new situation we expose your dog to. We go from shaping to formalizing commands and proofing them with distractions, duration and distance. Communication is at the core of our philosophy. Being clear and consistent is key. We restrict our words when providing 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 Moraga, 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 rescues. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup developing into a monster. That nice puppy can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever envision. Many owners hope their canine will outgrow unfavorable behaviors. Their dog is testing what is allowed and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue rehearsing naughty acts makes changing undesirable behavior more challenging.

Testing in the Real World in Moraga, California 
We work to stop any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction locations. Such as, we practice recalls when your dog is extremely distracted maybe chasing something like a squirrel. We practice and proof obedience in high traffic locations, around barking dogs, around playgrounds and within public places.

As the dog goes through the adolescent stage we continue to challenge the dog by putting it in various scenarios. We consider each situation as a picture. How does that look like to the puppy? How does that picture change from day to day or location to location. We are striving to teach a dog how to adapt in every new and different environment or situation. We are raising a dog that isn’t depending on continuous commands that determine what he or she should and should not do. Instead, we prefer a dog that can make great choices. Our main priority is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will be comfortable your home.

We continue to strengthen and fine-tune manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. During this time, the dog has been living with the trainer in his/her own home. During this time, your dog will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another loved one or friend. Offering this chance, encourages your puppy to continue to be confident and comfortable in different settings. This ensures those habits and good manners will remain when he or she goes on to your home in Moraga, CA.