I will help you prioritize your training schedule to ensure you are spending your time efficiently. When you purchase the four session package you will receive detailed training notes covering all of the following topics. Alternatively, you can hire me for single 60-minute sessions and address any training topic that fits your needs.
Overview
Preventative Topics
I will teach you how to work with your puppy just a few minutes a day to lessen the chances of behavior problems later on.
Housetraining
Whether you want to take your dog outside or use a puppy pad, I will help you get your dog housetrained. I will also help devise a strategy so you can actually have a life and get work done when you have a puppy!
Separation Anxiety
I will show you crate training exercises and teach you how to acclimate your dog to being left alone and avoid this serious problem.
Food and Possession Aggression
This is one of the main causes of aggression and can be attributed to many bites directed towards children.
Socialization
This is the most time-sensitive puppy topic. Dogs have a well-defined socialization period lasting up to 16-18 weeks of age. I will show you how to socialize your puppy in your daily interactions as well as more structured socialization outings. I will show you how to socialize your puppy in and around your neighborhood, at dog parks, soccer games, birthday parties, festivals, etc.
Puppy Biting and Bite Inhibition
Besides being painful, it is important to teach a puppy to have a soft mouth. This is called bite inhibition and will lessen the chances of damaging bites as your puppy gets older.
Basic Training
Training is important to help teach a puppy to be composed and under control, and also to provide the necessary mental stimulation that is critical to having a happy, calm dog. Bored dogs will find their own activities including destruction, barking, and even aggression.
Training Topics
We will work on the following specific strategies during sessions and I will explain how to continue working in between sessions. I taught classes while I was building my private business and understand all aspects of puppy training and development. I can help you fix problems that are present, and prevent problems that could happen. I want to help you have a well adjusted family member that is a joy to be with. Unless classroom teaching that focuses on general strategies for the whole class, you will receive personalized one-on-one instruction to help your puppy learn as quickly as possible.
I can help with all areas of preventative measures as well as basic to advanced training including:
- Leash walking
- No jumping
- Come
- Leave It
- Sit, Down, Stand
- Counter Surfing
- Stop
- Off Leash Control
- Mental stimulation strategies
Have a Puppy and a Life
Feel like your puppy is taking over? I can show you specific strategies and a structure to have a happy, tired puppy and also be able to have some peace and quiet, or go out to dinner, have dinner at home in peace, or watch your child's soccer game without the guilt often associated with having a puppy. Yes, puppies take time and effort. But, I can help you streamline your efforts to save time and avoid making common mistakes.
Socialization is the #1 Most Important Puppy Topic
I will help you focus on what is most important so you can actually have fun with your puppy, wear him or her out, be social, have a life, and end up with a really amazing family member that just happens to have 4 legs, 4 paws, and puppy eyes! Puppies do need a lot of time and attention, but investing the time into proper socialization can help prevent other problems later on, can help your puppy become a part of your family's routine, and turn him into the amazing dog that everyone wants.
Dog Park Play
It is important to understand how to safely take your puppy to the dog park or socialize him with play dates in your backyard. I will teach you about the following topics.
- How to read dog body language to decide if the other dog is safe to play with
- How to break up fights if they occur
- How to teach to your dog to listen to you around other dogs
- How much training you should do at the park - the answer might surprise you!
- How to have off leash control including Stop, Leave It, and Come
What My Clients Are Saying
"Our vet recommended Jeff to us to train our new puppy. We could not have been more pleased with the results! Jeff came to our house for a series of training sessions. Using positive reinforcement techniques he showed us how to housetrain our puppy & break her of a few bad habits she had already developed: nipping & chewing shoes & socks. Our puppy adored Jeff. Recently, we contacted Jeff because our dog (no longer a puppy) started having signs of separation anxiety. Jeff provided us with a booklet he's written on anxiety & helpful tips for how to deal with it, & asked us to keep him posted on how things were progressing. All this attention, & we're not even current clients! I would highly recommend Jeff for any type of dog training, both for puppies and older dogs."
I frequently get asked if I offer Board and Train. If you are not familiar with this type of training option, trainers will take a dog into their home (or in a kennel in the backyard) and work with the dog for a period of time each day, often for weeks at a time. They then return the dog to the family and (hopefully) spend some time explaining what their dog learned and teach the family how to communicate to their dog and continue the training that was done with the trainer. 
