Puppies are taught to work with their
families as a team, doing as you ask through choice, rather than compelling them through
traditional dog obedience training. Families are taught the same – your dog is a team
mate and family member, and working together can mean a really contented companion and a
happy home. Training can start as soon as you bring your puppy home – training at home
means we don't have to wait for vaccination to be complete.
Basic training includes the three essentials:
- No/Leave (stop doing what you’re doing and do something else)
- Wait (stop doing what you’re doing and stay where you are)
- Come (stop doing what you’re doing and come back to me)
As well as life skills such as:
- Watch me – to get and keep puppy's attention
- Drop – to drop something they may have picked up while your attention was elsewhere.
- Fetch – ideal for when they run off with your socks, as chasing puppy can ruin your recall.
- Send to Bed
- Manners at the door – going through doors steadily without pulling, and waiting patiently when you turn around to lock up.
- Settle – relax while something is going on that doesn’t involve them, such as chatting with friends or having a coffee.
- Greeting visitors and strangers – not jumping up at people who come to the house or you talk to on a walk.
Puppies are taught through play, as this makes training fun for them as well as for us, and penalties, which put a 'cost' onto behaviour we want to discourage. Penalties are never punishment or pain, they are simple things like 'time out' or having to run a long way to catch back up to you.
How it works
Sessions are 60 minutes with the puppy and family members
– puppies are not expected to 'work' for the full hour, there is time to recharge
while Linda answers questions and gives information on bringing up a puppy to fit today's
busy lifestyles.
You may have as many or as few sessions as you like – training works best with two or three sessions at home four or five days apart to set puppy up with the skills he needs; then, moving out to work in the 'real world', but this is very flexible based on your needs. Further training can include Training Walks which teach you the skills to keep your puppy working with you no matter what is going on around them.
Around 4-6 sessions are ideal to get you off to a good start, with weekly email support free for 6 months. A 30 minute follow up visit is offered free 6 months after your last training session if required.
Fees
We offer a bespoke service that you won't find anywhere else, so please contact us to discuss your needs.
One-off advisory 'set up' visits are also available, also advice and information, your questions answered, advice on choosing a breed to suit your lifestyle, finding a reputable and responsible breeder (including visiting if required) or a puppy from rescue. Fees on application.
Training clients are able to take advantage of my puppy sitting and puppy boarding services, but places are limited. Please ask for details.
Linda is qualified to microchip dogs, and can offer this service to your puppy if he or she was not chipped by the breeder. Please ask for details.