Picking Your Puppy
The idea of raising a new young puppy on your own may be stressful. You want a doggy that will match  nicely with your daily life. Your life in Woodbridge , Connecticut possible is stressful, you may have a full-time schedule, maybe you’re raising a young family, you may like to travel or may be you just retired. Peace of Mind Puppy provide s a stress and anxiety free experience to add that  awesome dog to your life.

The Experience Starts With a Consultation
We think it’s essential that you know who you will be partnering with. Building a rapport is exceptionally important to our company in Woodbridge , Connecticut. Our talk begins with straightforward questions and leads into an detailed discussion, which will give us a better idea of who you are and what your perfect dog will be. We would like to have a great working partnership with you. It starts the journey to decide on, teach and raise your pup.

Selecting The Best Breed For Your Family
Once you have made a decision you want to include that perfect dog to your life in Woodbridge , Connecticut. You may have your heart set on a certain breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our dogs that are currently in our puppy raising program. There are things to think of for example, where you live, how much you work, 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 choices, but instead help clarify your way of life in Woodbridge , CT. We will help guide you in your decision making process. As we learn more about you, we can help you pick what you want and which dog will best accommodate your lifestyle.

Choosing The Perfect Breeder in Woodbridge , Connecticut
We coordinate with responsible breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and excellent temperament of their pups. The initial eight weeks of a new pups life are as vital as to what follows. A excellent breeder is aware of this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have built a relationship with many outstanding breeders. We particularly seek breeders who recognize the early role 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 great life.  It is extremely important to work closely with the breeder. We count on the breeder’s input and also our years of experience to pick out the puppy with the best temperament for a prospective new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Woodbridge , Connecticut
Training your dog is a combo of teaching new skill-sets including manners, setting boundaries, promoting healthy relationships, as well as exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments.For example, we have the puppy sleep overnight with various people in various environments; which develops a dog for you who is relaxed and easy to live with because he or she can easily adapt|adjusts} to your way of life. As a result of this and exposures to other variables your dog readily connects with you and your family.

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

Training starts the instant a new puppy is in our hands in Woodbridge , Connecticut. Once we decide on the pup from the litter, the first thing we want to achieve is developing 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, go up and down stairs, walk over various things, and even get somewhat near to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your dog to the world while at the same time boosting our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet very aware in those moments it is imperative to focus more on being a leader and guide as the new puppy learns about this new world without the presence of its litter mates or mom.

Crucial time for learning
During the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no limit as to what we will incorporate into our strategies. Often we use certain spots or objects to create an experience for the puppy. Occasionally a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Woodbridge , Connecticut. Our options and creativity are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds upon the last one. Through all of this, we thoroughly observe the puppy. We do not limit ourselves to stiff rules. We try to become more creative, think outside the box, and take advantage of activities that unfold before us. Those opportunities are priceless when it comes down to teaching the puppy.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We like to think of it as an early investment in the life of this puppy. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and living with us in Woodbridge , 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 they can learn in a lifetime. The quality and quantity of what they experience will have a huge effect on their future personalities and decide many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. Throughout the imprinting period, every experience is important. It is important to build their self-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 need to stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new pup.

A Well-Mannered Friend
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained pup 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 important. Additionally, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, in addition to being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Woodbridge , CT  is equally important.

Our focus is to create a puppy with impeccable manners and social skills. We begin by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which continues as we fine-tune the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a strong foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, keeping it a normal request in our everyday routine as well as within each new situation we expose your puppy 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 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 immediately.

Proofing Behavior in a Social World in Woodbridge , 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 rescues. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup becoming a monster. That nice pup can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever think of. Many owners hope their canine 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 Woodbridge , Connecticut
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction locations. Such as, we practice recalls when your dog is highly distracted possibly chasing something as common as a squirrel. We test and proof obedience in high traffic places, 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 him or her in various situations. We imagine each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the puppy? How does that picture change from day to day or location to location. We are striving to teach a dog how to adapt in each new and various environment or scenario. We are raising a puppy that isn’t dependent on continuous commands that dictate what he or she should and should not do. Instead, we want a dog that can make good decisions. Our number one goal is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will fit into your home.

We continue to strengthen and refine manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the puppy has been staying with the trainer in his or her individual home. During this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another family member or close friend. Giving this opportunity, encourages your puppy to continue to be confident and comfortable in different surroundings. This makes sure those habits and good manners will stay when he or she moves in to your home in Woodbridge , CT.