Puppy Training
Build the Right Habits From the Start
Puppies are constantly learning. The habits they develop early can have a lasting impact on how they behave as adult dogs.
Puppy training isn’t just about teaching commands. It’s about teaching your puppy how to behave in the home, how to listen, how to make good choices, and how to navigate the world with confidence.
My approach to puppy training is balanced, structured, and practical. I believe puppies need more than rewards and redirection. They need clear communication, consistent expectations, structure, and boundaries from the beginning.
Training teaches your puppy what you want them to do, while structure and boundaries teach them how to make appropriate choices throughout everyday life. I use reinforcement for good behavior along with appropriate consequences when your puppy makes the wrong choice, always taking their age, temperament, and individual needs into account.
The earlier you establish clear expectations and consistent training, the easier it is to build a well mannered adult dog.
I offer several puppy training options depending on your puppy’s needs, your goals, and how involved you want to be in the training process.
Puppy Training Options
1. Perfect Puppy Program
The most comprehensive option
The Perfect Puppy Program is designed for owners who want a structured, ongoing approach to puppy training throughout puppyhood.
The program combines weekly Day Training, Private Lessons, and a four week Board & Train at approximately six months of age, followed by Private Lessons.
This approach provides consistency throughout your puppy’s development rather than addressing training only when a problem comes up.
Your puppy receives regular professional training while you learn how to maintain and reinforce that training at home.
The Perfect Puppy Program may be ideal if you want:
• Consistent professional puppy training throughout puppyhood
• A structured training plan as your puppy grows
• Both hands on training for your puppy and guidance for you
• A strong foundation in obedience and household manners
• Continued training through the transition into adolescence
Learn More About the Perfect Puppy Program
2. Private Lessons
The best option for learning how to train your puppy yourself
Private Lessons allow me to work directly with you and your puppy while teaching you how to communicate clearly, reinforce good behavior, establish boundaries, and handle common puppy challenges.
This is an important distinction: I’m not just training your puppy, I’m teaching you how to train your puppy.
The skills your puppy learns during a lesson need to be reinforced at home. When you understand how to continue that training consistently, you become an active part of your puppy’s development.
Private Lessons can address common puppy training needs such as:
• Puppy obedience training
• Puppy house training and potty training
• Puppy crate training
• Puppy leash training
• Teaching your puppy to walk nicely on leash
• Puppy recall training and coming when called
• Jumping on people
• Puppy biting and mouthing
• Impulse control and overexcitement
• Place training
• Door manners
• Teaching your puppy to settle
• Puppy socialization with people, dogs, and new environments
• Building confidence in puppies
• Household manners and appropriate behavior
• Teaching boundaries and good habits
• Preparing your puppy for grooming and veterinary handling
Private Lessons can be used on their own or combined with Day Training for additional professional training between lessons.
For owners who want to be actively involved in training their puppy, Private Lessons are often the most valuable place to start.
Learn More About Private Lessons
3. Day Training
Professional puppy training while your puppy is in my care
Day Training allows me to work directly with your puppy during the day while you continue with your normal schedule.
I can work on obedience, manners, puppy leash training, impulse control, socialization, and other age appropriate training goals while your puppy is with me.
Day Training can be especially helpful for owners who want additional professional training but don’t have the time to dedicate to daily training sessions themselves.
However, professional training is only part of the equation.
Your puppy still needs you to reinforce the behaviors at home. That’s why Day Training can be especially effective when combined with Private Lessons.
Day Training can be used on its own or combined with Private Lessons depending on your goals and your puppy’s needs.
Which Puppy Training Option Is Right for You?
Every puppy and owner is different. The best option depends on your goals, schedule, your puppy’s temperament, and how involved you want to be in the training process.
Want the Most Comprehensive Approach?
Perfect Puppy Program
A structured program combining Day Training, Private Lessons, and Board & Train as your puppy grows.
Want to Learn How to Train Your Puppy Yourself?
Private Lessons
You learn directly from me while training alongside your puppy.
Want Additional Professional Training During the Week?
Day Training
I work with your puppy while you’re at work or handling your normal schedule.
Want Both?
Private Lessons + Day Training
This combination can be especially effective. I work with your puppy during Day Training while Private Lessons teach you how to maintain and build upon that training at home.
The important thing is consistency. No matter which option you choose, the training your puppy receives needs to be reinforced regularly at home.
What Your Puppy Can Learn
Puppy training is about much more than sit and stay.
Depending on your puppy’s age and individual needs, training may include:
Puppy Obedience
Building a foundation of basic commands and teaching your puppy to focus and respond to you.
Leash Training
Teaching your puppy how to walk appropriately, pay attention to their handler, and develop good leash habits from the start.
Impulse Control
Helping your puppy learn patience, manage excitement, and make better choices.
Recall Training
Building a reliable response when your puppy is called and teaching them that coming to you is important.
House Manners
Teaching appropriate behavior around your home and everyday routines.
Potty & Crate Training
Helping your puppy develop good house training habits and become comfortable and appropriate in their crate.
Jumping & Puppy Biting
Teaching your puppy appropriate ways to interact with people and replacing unwanted mouthing, biting, and jumping with better behaviors.
Place & Settling
Teaching your puppy how to relax, settle, and remain in a designated place when asked.
Puppy Socialization
Helping your puppy appropriately experience new people, dogs, environments, sounds, and situations without overwhelming them.
Confidence Building
Helping your puppy become comfortable navigating new experiences and developing the confidence they need as they grow.
Why Start Puppy Training Early?
It’s much easier to establish good habits than to undo bad ones.
Puppies don’t automatically know what behaviors are appropriate. They need clear communication, consistent expectations, structure, and boundaries.
My approach is balanced training, which means teaching your puppy what is expected while reinforcing good choices and appropriately addressing unwanted behavior. Puppies benefit from learning that there are both things we want them to do and things we don’t allow.
Starting this process early helps prevent common puppy behaviors from becoming long term habits. It also teaches your puppy how to respond to guidance and boundaries as they encounter new situations.
Just as importantly, early training gives you the opportunity to learn how to communicate with your dog and establish a relationship built on clear expectations.
The goal isn’t to create a puppy that behaves perfectly every second. The goal is to establish a strong foundation of obedience, structure, boundaries, and good habits that you can continue building upon as your puppy grows.
Ready to Start Training?
The first months with your puppy go by quickly. Starting with consistent training now can help set the foundation for the dog your puppy will become.
If you’re not sure which training option is the best fit, contact me and tell me a little about your puppy, your goals, and what you’re looking for. I can help you determine which approach makes the most sense for you.
