Choosing Your Puppy
The thought of raising a new pup on your own may be overwhelming. You really want a dog that will match  perfectly with your daily life. Your life in New Canaan, Connecticut possible is hectic, you may have a full time job, you may be raising a young family, you like to travel or may be you just retired. Peace of Mind Puppy provide s a stress free experience to add that  outstanding dog to your life.

The Process Starts With a Assessment
We think it’s essential that you know who you will be working with. Establishing a relationship is extremely important to our company in New Canaan, Connecticut. Our conversation begins with simple questions and leads into an detailed conversation, which will provide us a clearer idea of who you are and what your dream dog will be. We would like to have a wonderful working partnership with you. It starts the journey to pick, teach and raise your pup.

Picking The Best Breed For Your Household
Once you have decided you want to include that perfect dog to your life in New Canaan, Connecticut. You may have your heart set on a specific breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our pups that are presently in our puppy raising program. Certainly there are things to think about for example, where you live, maybe you work full time, maybe you are raising a  little family, you you may love to go on vacation or maybe you have recently retired. This information will not restrict your options, yet help clarify your way of life in New Canaan, CT. We help guide you in the decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can certainly aid you decide what you want and which breed will best suit your life-style.

Picking The Best Breeder in New Canaan, Connecticut
We collaborate with amazing breeders who are truly interested in improving their breed with good health and great temperament of their puppies. The first eight weeks of a new pups life are as essential as to what happens after. A excellent breeder is aware of this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a relationship with many great breeders. We particularly find breeders who are aware of the early part they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their puppies goes through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a wonderful life.  It’s very important to work closely with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback along with our years of expertise to choose the puppy with the best temperament for the prospective new family.

The Puppy‘s Training in New Canaan, Connecticut
Training your new puppy is a combo of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, fostering healthy relationships, as well as exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all different types of environments.For example, we may have the puppy stay overnight with different people in various settings; which in turn creates a dog for you who is relaxed and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your lifestyle. Because of this and exposures to other variables your dog readily connects with you and your family.

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

Training starts the minute a new puppy is in our hands in New Canaan, Connecticut. Once we decide on the pup from the litter, the first thing we want to accomplish is building confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We start our relationship having fun even though we’re always teaching. Under our close guidance, we begin exposing the puppy to its new world. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over various things, and maybe even get somewhat close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your dog to the world while boosting our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet incredibly aware in those moments it is essential to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new pup discovers 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 limitation as to what we will integrate into our techniques. Typically we make use of specific places or objects to create an encounter for the puppy. Sometimes a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in New Canaan, Connecticut. Our decisions and vision are unlimited. Every exposure and experience builds on the last one. Through all of this, we closely supervise the puppy. We don’t limit ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to be more creative, think outside the box, and benefit from events that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes to teaching the puppy.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We often think of it as an early investment in the life of this dog. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and staying with us in New Canaan, 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 period than they can learn in a lifetime. The quality and quantity of what they experience will have a massive influence on their future personalities and determine many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the imprinting phase, every experience is critical. It is essential to build their confidence. The expression ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are absorbing every experience like a sponge, we need to stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new dog.

A Well-Mannered Puppy
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained dog is so much 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 important. Additionally, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, in addition to being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in New Canaan, CT  is equally important.

Our focus is to create a puppy 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 refine the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a strong foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, making it a standard request in our everyday 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 center of our philosophy. Being very clear and consistent is key. We limit our words when providing commands. We want your dog to understand what we mean when we give them the command. When we say ‘come’ or ‘here’ we expect 100% response right away.

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

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the usual age when many dogs are re-homed or surrendered to rescues. 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 picture. Many owners hope their dog will outgrow unwanted behaviors. Their dog is testing what is permitted and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue rehearsing naughty acts makes changing undesirable behavior more difficult.

Working in the Real World in New Canaan, Connecticut
We work to stop any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction locations. For instance, we practice recalls when your dog is extremely distracted possibly chasing something as common as a squirrel. We test and proof obedience in high traffic locations, around barking dogs, near playgrounds and within public places.

As the dog goes through the adolescent stage we continue to challenge the dog by putting it in various situations. We think of each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the puppy? How does that picture differ from day to day or location to location. We are working to teach a dog how to cope in every new and different setting or situation. We are raising a dog that isn’t depending on continual commands that control what he or she should and shouldn’t do. In fact, we prefer a dog that can make good decisions. Our top priority is to have a well-balanced dog, who will fit into your home.

We continue to reinforce and fine-tune manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. During this time, the puppy has been residing with the trainer in his/her individual home. During this time, your dog will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another loved one or close friend. Providing the puppy with this chance, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in brand-new environments. This makes sure those habits and good manners will stay when he or she moves in to your home in New Canaan, CT.