Choosing Your Puppy
The idea of raising a new puppy by yourself is frustrating. You want a doggy that can fit  beautifully with your life-style. Your life in Fenwick, Connecticut possible is fast paced, you’ve got a full-time job, maybe you’re raising a new family, you may like to travel or may be you just retired. We provide a worry free experience to add in that  outstanding dog to your life.

The Process Begins With a Consultation
We think it’s important that you know who you will be coordinating with. Developing a relationship is very important to our company in Fenwick, Connecticut. Our discussion starts with easy questions and leads into an in detail discussion, which will give us a better idea of who you are and what your dream dog might be. We like to have a wonderful working relationship with you. It begins the journey to pick, teach and raise your pup.

Picking The Perfect Breed For Your Family
Once you have made a decision you are ready to add that amazing dog to your life in Fenwick, Connecticut. You may have your heart set on a particular breed or maybe you want one of our pups that are currently in our puppy raising program. Certainly there are things to take into consideration such as the type of house you live in, maybe you work full time, maybe you are raising a  little family, you love to travel or you’ve recently retired. All this will not reduce your choices, yet help shed light on your lifestyle in Fenwick, CT. We help guide you in this decision making process. As we learn more about you, we can certainly assist you choose what you want and which breed will best accommodate your life-style.

Choosing The Right Breeder in Fenwick, Connecticut
We work with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and fantastic temperament of their puppies. The first eight weeks of a new pups life are as critical as to what follows. A great breeder understands this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have established a relationship with many fine breeders. We particularly search out breeders who recognize the early role they play in a puppies life. They understand when one of their pups goes through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a fantastic life.  It is really important to work closely with the breeder. We depend on the breeder’s feedback as well as our years of experience to pick the puppy with the best temperament for the prospective new family.

The Puppy‘s Training in Fenwick, Connecticut
Training your dog is a mixture of teaching new skill-sets including manners, setting boundaries, nurturing healthy relationships, along with exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments. For instance, we have the pup stay overnight with various people in different settings; which creates a dog for you who is comfortable and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your way of life. As a result of this and exposures to other factors your dog easily connects with you and your family members.

Imprinting Good Behavior ~Birth to 16 Weeks
Picking up your puppy from the breeder

Training starts the minute a new puppy is in our care in Fenwick, Connecticut. Once we choose the pup from the litter, the very first thing we wish to achieve is building confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We start our relationship having fun while always teaching. Under our close guidance, we begin exposing the puppy to its new world. For instance, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over branches, and also get somewhat close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your puppy to the world while reinforcing our bond. We are huge dog lovers, but still very aware in those moments it is imperative to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new pup learns about this new world without having the company of its litter mates or mom.

Crucial time for learning
In the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no limit as to what we will integrate into our techniques. Often we make use of specific locations or objects to create an encounter for the pup. In some cases a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Fenwick, Connecticut. Our decisions and creativity are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds on the previous one. Through all of this, we carefully observe the puppy. We do not confine ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to get more creative, think outside the box, and make the most of activities that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes down to teaching the puppy.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We like to think about it as an early investment in the life of this dog. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and living with us in Fenwick, Connecticut. Puppies have a small window of time during brain development when they are most impressionable. This is called the imprinting also known as the critical learning period. Puppies learn more during this time than any other period of time in their lives. The quality and quantity of what they encounter will have a significant effect on their future personalities and determine much of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the course of the imprinting period, every experience is vital. It is essential to build their confidence. The phrase ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are taking in every experience like a sponge, we must stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new puppy.

A Well-Mannered Friend
4 to 6 months 

A trained puppy is far more than just obedient. Knowing how to sit, stay or walk nicely on a loose leash are necessary things to learn. Good manners, great social skills and a healthy relationship with his or her family are extremely important. In addition, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, in addition to having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Fenwick, CT  is equally important.

Our focus is to create a dog with remarkable manners and social skills. We start by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which carries on as we fine-tune the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a stable foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, keeping it a regular request in our daily routine in addition to within each new situation we expose your dog to. We move from shaping to formalizing commands and proofing them with distractions, duration and distance. Communication is at the core of our philosophy. Being very clear and consistent is key. We limit our words when giving commands. We want your dog to understand what we want when we give them the command. When we say ‘come’ or ‘here’ we expect 100% response immediately.

Proofing Behavior in a Social World in Fenwick, CT
6 months to young adult

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the usual age when many dogs are re-homed or given up to shelters. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup turning into a monster. That nice pup can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever envision. Many owners hope their puppy will outgrow undesirable behaviors. Their dog is testing what is permitted and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue rehearsing naughty acts makes changing unwanted behavior more difficult.

Working in the Real World in Fenwick, Connecticut
We work to reduce any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction places. Such as, we practice recalls when your dog is highly distracted perhaps chasing something as common as a squirrel. We practice and proof obedience in high traffic places, around barking dogs, near playgrounds and within public places.

As the puppy goes through the adolescent stage we continue to challenge the dog by putting him or her in various situations. We think of each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the puppy? How does that picture shift from day to day or location to location. We are aiming to teach a dog how to adapt in each new and different environment or scenario. We are raising a puppy that isn’t depending on ongoing commands that determine what he or she should and should not do. Rather, we desire a dog that can make great decisions. Our main priority is to have a well-balanced dog, who will fit into your home.

We continue to strengthen and improve good manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the puppy has been residing with the dog trainer in their own home. Throughout this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights staying with another family member or friend. Giving this chance, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in new environments. This makes sure those habits and good manners will stay when he or she goes on to your home in Fenwick, CT.