Selecting Your New Puppy
The thought of raising a new puppy on your own is overwhelming. You hope for a puppy that is going to fit in  very well with your daily life. Your life in Bannockburn, Illinois might be fast paced, you may have a full-time schedule, maybe you’re raising a new family, you like to travel or you’ve just retired. We provide a stress free experience to add in that  amazing dog to your life.

The Experience Starts With a Consultation
We know it is crucial that you know who you will be partnering with. Developing a rapport is tremendously important to our company in Bannockburn, Illinois. Our discussion starts with simple questions and leads into an in depth conversation, which will provide us a better idea of who you are and what your dream dog would be. We like to have a wonderful working partnership with you. It begins the journey to choose, teach and raise your pup.

Finding The Best Breed For Your Family
Once you have determined you are ready to include that amazing dog to your life in Bannockburn, Illinois. You may have your heart set on a particular 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, the type of house you live in, your schedule, are raising a  little family, you you may love to travel or maybe you have recently retired. This information will not restrict your choices, yet help clarify your life-style in Bannockburn, IL. We help guide you in your decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can certainly aid you pick what you want and which dog will best suit your life-style.

Picking The Right Breeder in Bannockburn, Illinois
We coordinate with amazing breeders who are truly interested in improving their breed with good health and excellent temperament of their puppies. The first eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as important as to what happens after. A excellent breeder understands this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have built a relationship with many exceptional breeders. We specifically find breeders who are aware of the early part 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 excellent life.  It’s extremely important to work closely with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s input as well as our years of knowledge to choose the puppy with the best temperament for the potential new family.

The Puppy‘s Training in Bannockburn, Illinois
Training your 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 various environments.Such as, we may have the puppy stay overnight with various people in different settings; which produces 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 members.

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 Bannockburn, Illinois. Once we decide on the puppy from the litter, the very first thing we would like to accomplish is developing confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We begin our relationship having fun even though we’re always teaching. Under our close guidance, we start exposing the pup to its new world. For example, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over various things, and maybe 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 remarkably aware in those moments it is imperative to focus more on being a leader and guide as the new puppy discovers this new world without having the companionship of its litter mates or mom.

Most important time for learning
In the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no restriction as to what we will integrate into our methods. Frequently we take advantage of particular areas or objects to create an experience for the pup. In some cases a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Bannockburn, Illinois. Our options and creativity are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds upon the last one. Through all of this, we thoroughly monitor the puppy. We never confine ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to become more creative, think outside the box, and make use of occasions that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes to teaching the pup.

Every interaction with the new pup is a teaching moment. We like to think of it as an early investment in the life of this dog. This is the first time away from their littermates and staying with us in Bannockburn, Illinois. 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 impact on their future personalities and decide much of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the imprinting stage, every experience is crucial. It is important to build their confidence. The phrase ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are soaking up 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 well-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 paramount. In addition, desensitization, exposure to many different distractions and situations, as well as having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Bannockburn, IL  is equally important.

Our focus is to create a dog with remarkable manners and social skills. We begin by teaching obedience the day we bring them home from the breeder; which continues as we refine the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a strong foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, keeping it a standard request in our everyday routine as well as within each new situation we expose your dog to. We go from shaping to defining commands and proofing them with distractions, duration and distance. Communication is at the core 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 Bannockburn, IL
6 months to young adult

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the typical age when many dogs are re-homed or surrendered to shelters. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup becoming a monster. That nice pup can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever envision. Many owners hope their puppy will grow out of unfavorable behaviors. Their dog is testing what is allowed and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue practicing naughty acts makes changing unwanted behavior more challenging.

Working in the Real World in Bannockburn, Illinois
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction areas. For instance, we practice recalls when your dog is extremely distracted maybe chasing something like a squirrel. We practice and proof obedience in high traffic spots, around barking dogs, near playgrounds and within public places.

As the dog moves 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 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 situation. We are raising a puppy that isn’t depending on continual commands that determine what he or she should and should not do. In fact, we desire a dog that can make great choices. Our number one priority is to have a well-balanced dog, who will fit into your home.

We continue to reinforce and improve manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the dog has been staying with the trainer in his/her own home. During this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another loved one or friend. Offering this chance, encourages your puppy to continue to be confident and comfortable in different surroundings. This makes sure those habits and good manners will remain when he or she moves on to your home in Bannockburn, IL.