Choosing Your Young puppy
The idea of raising a new pup by yourself is frustrating. You want a doggy that will fit  very well with your daily life. Your life in Wilmette, Illinois possible is busy, you may have a full-time profession, a young family, you may like to travel or may be you just retired. Peace of Mind Puppy provide s a stress free experience to add that  awesome dog to your life.

The Program Starts With a Consultation
We think it’s vital that you know who you will be coordinating with. Building a relationship is incredibly important to our company in Wilmette, Illinois. Our conversation begins with simple questions and leads into an in depth conversation, which will give us a much better idea of who you are and what your ideal dog might be. We like to have a excellent working partnership with you. It begins the journey to decide on, teach and raise your pup.

Finding The Perfect Breed For Your Family
Once you have determined you want to include that amazing dog to your life in Wilmette, Illinois. You have your heart set on a particular breed or maybe you want one of our pups that are presently in our puppy raising program. There certainly are things to think of such as the type of house you live in, how much you work, are raising a  little family, you you may love to travel or maybe you have recently retired. All this will not limit your choices, but instead help shed light on your life-style in Wilmette, IL. We help guide you in your decision making process. As we learn more about you, we can certainly assist you decide what you want and which breed will best match your life-style.

Selecting The Right Breeder in Wilmette, Illinois
We collaborate with responsible breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and fantastic temperament of their puppies. The first eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as significant as to what follows. A great breeder recognizes this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have established a rapport with many fine breeders. We specifically pursue breeders who comprehend the early part they play in a puppies life. They understand when one of their puppies grows through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a fantastic life.  It is extremely important to work closely with the breeder. We count on the breeder’s feedback along with our years of knowledge to pick the puppy with the best temperament for a potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Wilmette, Illinois
Training your puppy is a mixture of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, encouraging healthy relationships, together with exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all different types of environments.For example, we have the pup sleep overnight with various people in different settings; which creates a dog for you who is relaxed and easy to live with because he or she can easily adapt|adjusts} to your way of life. Because of this and exposures to other variables your dog readily connects with you and your family members.

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

Training starts the instant a new puppy is in our care in Wilmette, Illinois. Once we decide on the pup from the litter, the very first thing we would like to accomplish is developing confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We begin our relationship having fun even though we’re always teaching. Under our close guidance, we start exposing the pup to its new world. For example, getting him or her to follow us, go up and down stairs, walk over various things, and also get somewhat near to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your puppy to the world while boosting 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 pup discovers this new world without the company of its litter mates or mom.

Most important time for learning
During the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no restriction as to what we will integrate into our techniques. Typically we use specific areas or objects to create an encounter for the puppy. Occasionally a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Wilmette, Illinois. Our decisions and imagination are endless. Every exposure and experience builds upon the last one. Through all of this, we closely observe the puppy. We don’t confine ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to become more creative, think outside the box, and make the most of occasions that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes to teaching the puppy.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We like to think about it as an early investment in the life of this puppy. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and living with us in Wilmette, 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 time than any other period of time in their lives. The quality and quantity of what they encounter will have a significant impact on their future personalities and determine a number of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. Throughout the imprinting period, every experience is critical. 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 pup.

A Well-Mannered Friend
4 to 6 months 

A trained dog is 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 critical. Additionally, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, as well as being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Wilmette, IL  is equally important.

Our focus is to create a puppy with remarkable manners and social skills. We start by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which continues as we refine the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a strong foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, keeping it a normal request in our everyday 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 Wilmette, IL
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 becoming a monster. That nice puppy can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever think of. Many owners hope their dog will outgrow undesirable behaviors. Their dog is testing what is allowed and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue rehearsing naughty acts makes changing unwanted behavior more difficult.

Testing in the Real World in Wilmette, 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 possibly chasing something like a squirrel. We practice and proof obedience in high traffic places, around barking dogs, near 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. 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 various setting or scenario. We are raising a puppy that isn’t dependent on continual commands that determine what he or she should and should not do. Rather, we want a dog that can make good decisions. Our number one priority is to have a well-balanced dog, who will be comfortable your home.

We continue to reinforce and fine-tune good manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the dog has been living with the trainer in his or her personal home. Throughout this time, your dog will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another relative or close friend. Giving this opportunity, encourages your puppy to continue to be confident and comfortable in new settings. This ensures those habits and good manners will remain when he or she goes on to your home in Wilmette, IL.