joyful journey
puppy pack
Put the right paw forward
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and nothing could be more true when it comes to puppies.
Most of the dogs we see with behaviour issues are adolescents who missed good training and proper socialization (does not mean going to the dog park) during that early window of opportunity.
Behaviour issues in an adolescent or adult dog require a lifetime of management and a fair bit of time, effort, and money to deal with. Problems can be prevented by getting your puppy off to a good start!
Genetics matter and a well rounded dog starts there, so choose your puppies carefully. Be sure to meet their parents (“the mom is protective of her puppies” is a red flag that I hear often). Breed specific behaviours usually make an appearance around 2 years old (the herders start to herd, the guard dogs start to guard). If your puppy has skills before hitting this age you’ll have a better handle on managing a maturing dog.
Early exposure matters as the primary window of socialization is between 3-5 weeks. Ensure the breeder has the puppies meeting different people, walking on different surfaces, experiencing different sights, sounds, and smells early on. Breeders who follow Puppy Culture are usually excellent.
Health matters as pain and discomfort are a leading cause of behaviour issues. Are your puppy’s parents health tested? Ask to see the paperwork. Is the breed prone to health problems? Do your research.
All of this being said, adopting a puppy from a local rescue organization with sometimes an unknown history is a great option. Or maybe you realize you bought a puppy from not a great breeder, in which case getting ahead of training and even more important.
$350 For puppies 16 weeks or less at the time of first session.
Includes 4 private training sessions, the first one being about 1 hour in length and the following 3 about 45 minutes.
Learn important basic skills like sit, down, stay, watch me, and come.
Learn additional skills like emergency recall, leave it, handling basics and cooperative care to make vet visits easier, loose leash walking, placement cue, proper socialization for an attentive and confident pup.
Gain an understanding of dog behaviour and learning theory.
Prevent, manage, and solve common puppy problems like biting, jumping, and house training.
Continued help and support via text or email.
FAQ: SHOULD I DO PRIVATE TRAINING FOR MY PUPPY OR A PUPPY CLASS?
Ideally, both. A puppy class is a great way to learn the basics, get your puppy working in a new environment, and possibly provide social interaction with other puppies. Private sessions allow us target issues that may be occurring in the home environment as well as take the skills you learn to other locations to help with generalization and socialization. Private sessions can be tailored to your’s and your puppy’s specific needs and goals. I recommend any of the trainers listed on the Alberta Force Free Alliance website for puppy classes.