Deciding on Your Pup
The idea of raising a new puppy on your own is frustrating. You really want a puppy that will fit in  nicely with your life-style. Your life in Glen Ellyn, Illinois possible is fast paced, you’ve got a full-time schedule, maybe you’re raising a new family, you like to travel or you’ve just retired. We provide a stress and anxiety free experience to add in that  spectacular dog to your life.

The Experience Begins With a Consultation
We think it is important that you know who you will be dealing with. Building a relationship is extremely important to our company in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Our chat starts with straightforward questions and leads into an detailed discussion, which will give us a clearer idea of who you are and what your dream dog might be. We like to have a great working relationship with you. It begins the journey to choose, teach and raise your pup.

Selecting The Best Breed For Your Family
Once you have decided you want to include that perfect dog to your life in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. You may have your heart set on a certain breed or maybe you want one of our dogs that are currently in our puppy raising program. Certainly there are things to think about 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. All this will not limit your options, yet help clarify your lifestyle in Glen Ellyn, IL. 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 dog will best match your life-style.

Choosing The Perfect Breeder in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
We partner with responsible breeders who are truly interested in improving their breed with good health and great 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 recognizes this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a relationship with many great breeders. We specifically pursue breeders who comprehend the early part they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their pups grows through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a good life.  It’s incredibly important to work carefully with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback in addition to our years of knowledge to select the puppy with the best temperament for the prospective new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Training your dog is a combo of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, fostering healthy relationships, and also exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments.Such as, we may have the puppy stay overnight with various people in different 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. As a result of this and exposures to other variables your dog readily bonds 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 care in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Once we select the puppy from the litter, the very first thing we wish 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 pup to its new world. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over various things, and even get somewhat near to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your dog to the world while boosting our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet very aware in those moments it is essential to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new pup learns about this new world without the presence 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 limit as to what we may incorporate into our methods. Often we utilize specific spots or objects to create an encounter for the pup. Sometimes a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Our options and creativity are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds on the last one. Through all of this, we carefully observe the puppy. We never confine ourselves to stiff rules. We try to become more creative, think outside the box, and make the most of activities that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes down to teaching the dog.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We often think about it as an early investment in the life of this puppy. This is the first time away from their littermates and living with us in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 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 impact 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 vital. It is important to build their self-confidence. The phrase ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are absorbing every experience like a sponge, we need to stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new dog.

A Well-Mannered Puppy
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained dog 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 important. Furthermore, desensitization, exposure to many different distractions and situations, as well as having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Glen Ellyn, IL  is equally important.

Our focus is to raise a dog with impeccable manners and social skills. We start 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 day-to-day routine as well as within each new situation we expose your dog to. We move from shaping to defining commands and testing 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 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 Glen Ellyn, IL
6 months to young adult

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the usual age when many dogs are re-homed or surrendered to shelters. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup turning into a monster. That nice pup can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever think of. Many owners hope their dog will grow out of unfavorable 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.

Testing in the Real World in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
We work to reduce any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction areas. For example, we practice recalls when your dog is very 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 him or her in various scenarios. We think of 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 aiming to teach a dog how to adapt in every new and various setting or scenario. We are raising a dog that isn’t dependent on ongoing commands that determine what he or she should and shouldn’t do. Instead, we desire a dog that can make good decisions. Our number one goal is to have a well-balanced dog, who will fit into your home.

We continue to reinforce and improve good manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. During this time, the puppy has been residing with the dog trainer in their individual home. Throughout this time, your dog 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 surroundings. This ensures those habits and good manners will stay when he moves on to your house in Glen Ellyn, IL.