Selecting Your Puppy
The thought of raising a new young puppy on your own might be overwhelming. You want a pup that can fit  nicely with your life. Your life in Ventura, California is busy, you may have a full time job, you may be raising a young family, you like to travel or may be you just retired. Peace of Mind Puppy provides a stress and anxiety free experience to add in that  awesome dog to your life.

The Program Starts With a Consultation
We think it’s important that you know who you will be partnering with. Establishing a rapport is extremely important to our company in Ventura, California. Our conversation begins with simple questions and leads into an detailed conversation, which will provide us a clearer idea of who you are and what your ideal dog might be. We would like to have a fantastic working relationship with you. It begins the journey to choose, teach and raise your puppy.

Picking The Perfect Breed For Your Household
Once you have decided you are ready to add that perfect dog to your life in Ventura, California. You have your heart set on a certain breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our dogs that are presently in our puppy raising program. There are things to think about such as the type of house you live in, how much you work, are raising a young family, you you may love to go on vacation or maybe you have recently retired. All this will not minimize your choices, yet help shed light on your way of life in Ventura, CA. We help guide you in this decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can certainly assist you pick what you want and which dog will best suit your life-style.

Finding The Right Breeder in Ventura, California
We work with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and exceptional temperament of their pups. The first eight weeks of a new pups life are as important as to what comes after. A excellent breeder knows this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have established a rapport with many great breeders. We specifically pursue 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 wonderful life.  It’s incredibly important to work carefully with the breeder. We count on the breeder’s input and also our years of knowledge to pick the puppy with the best temperament for a potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Ventura, California
Training your dog is a combination of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, encouraging healthy relationships, and also exposing your puppy successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all different types of environments.For example, we may have the puppy stay overnight with various people in various environments; which creates a dog for you who is comfortable and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your way of life. Because of this and exposures to other variables 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 hands in Ventura, California. Once we pick the pup from the litter, the very first thing we want to achieve is building confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We begin our relationship having fun while always teaching. Under our close guidance, we begin exposing the puppy to its new world. For instance, getting him or her to follow us, go up and down stairs, walk over branches, and maybe even get somewhat close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your puppy to the world while at the same time strengthening our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet incredibly aware in those moments it is essential to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new pup discovers this new world without having the company of its litter mates or mom.

Most important time for learning
In the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no restriction as to what we may integrate into our methods. Often we use specific areas or objects to create an encounter for the pup. In some cases a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Ventura, California. Our decisions and vision are endless. Every exposure and experience builds upon the previous one. Through all of this, we very closely monitor the puppy. We do not limit ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to get more creative, think outside the box, and benefit from events that manifest before us. Those opportunities are priceless when it comes down to teaching the pup.

Every interaction with the new pup is a teaching moment. We like to think about 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 Ventura, 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 they can learn in a lifetime. The quality and quantity of what they experience will have a huge influence on their future personalities and decide many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the imprinting stage, every experience is critical. It is essential to build their self-confidence. The expression ‘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 Pup
4 to 6 months 

A trained puppy is a lot 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 paramount. Furthermore, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, as well as having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Ventura, 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 solid foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, making it a regular 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 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 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 Ventura, 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 shelters. 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 think of. Many owners hope their puppy will grow out of unwanted behaviors. Their dog is testing what is permitted and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue practicing naughty acts makes changing undesirable behavior more difficult.

Working in the Real World in Ventura, California 
We work to stop any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction places. For example, we practice recalls when your dog is highly distracted possibly chasing something like a squirrel. We test and proof obedience in high traffic spots, 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 it in various situations. We consider each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the puppy? How does that picture shift 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 dog that isn’t dependent on continual commands that determine what he or she should and should not do. Rather, we desire a dog that can make great decisions. Our main priority is to have a well-balanced dog, 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 dog has been living with the 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 chance, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in brand-new surroundings. This makes sure those habits and good manners will stay when he/she moves on to your house in Ventura, CA.