Puppy Fundamentals
Our puppy program develops focus, self-regulation and confidence leading to a well-adjusted dog ready to take on the world.
The Fundamentals
Focus
-
the ability to pay attention to you despite distractions
-
the building block of all skill-building
Self Control
-
being able to pause and reset when becoming overstimulated
-
being able to wait calmly in exciting circumstances (treats, doors, putting on leash, new people...)
Confidence
-
the willingness to try new things
-
trust in their handler to keep them safe
-
the result of positive experiences
Our Program
We use a variety of exercises, games and experiences to build focus, self control and confidence. For the youngest puppies we begin with tactile and sound based experiences, and simple skills and movement. Puppies progress to more complex skills, more intensive experiences and more challenging strength and balance developing activities. After receiving their 12 week old round of vaccinations, puppies will begin meeting and interacting with dogs. Throughout this process, distraction is gradually increased.
Your puppy will be training in our large indoor play area and outdoors in both our puppy specific and Canine Montessori outdoor yards. We are always monitoring the temperature and outdoor conditions to keep your puppy healthy, but strive to get them as much outside time as is possible.
First Steps
Handling, crate work, name recognition, luring, settle, confidence building
Sensory experiences
Sound desensitization, grooming, wet things, slippery things, wobbly things...
Skills
Sit, down, stay, recall, up, off, leave it, drop it, ...
Physical Challenges
Balance boards, climbing, narrow things, inclined things, stairs, obstacles
Polite Behaviors
Door etiquette, greeting people, greeting dogs, play,
Fun and Relaxation
Sniffing, toys, herding balls, flowers, play, exploring, naps ...
What to expect from us
01
40 minutes of training and one hour of experiences daily
Training time is divided into multiple work periods based on your puppy's age and ability to focus.
02
Daily Progress Reports and homework assignments
We will email you a progress report and picture every day and provide an individualized homework assignment at pick up. We are also available at pick up and drop off for to answer any questions you may have.
03
Health Checks and Monitoring
We provide twice daily health checks so that we can inform you of any issues that may become problems, including dirty ears, matting, scratches and scrapes, irritated paws...
04
Love
At the end of the day you will pick up a physically, mentally, emotionally satisfied puppy, who is eager to show you all their new skills.
What we need from you
Regular attendance
Our Tuesday Thursday program with a family class on Saturdays is designed to maximize learning and growth. It is crucial your puppy attend each session.
Communication
Let us know how things are going at home. We may be able to focus our training on particular skills you need or refer you to a behavior focused home trainer.
Homework
When you pick up your puppy at the end of the day we will have a specific homework assignment for them based on their progress. Completing the homework will increase your puppy's success.
Patience
Be patient with your new puppy and enjoy every second. It takes time, repetition and lots of love to help a puppy reach their full potential.
