Choosing Your Young puppy
The idea of raising a new young puppy on your own might be frustrating. You hope for a pup that is going to match  nicely with your everyday life. Your life in Chicago, Illinois can be busy, you may have a full time profession, you may be raising a new family, you may like to travel or you’ve just retired. We provide a stress free experience to add in that  remarkable dog to your life.

The Process Begins With a Assessment
We know it is vital that you know who you will be coordinating with. Developing a relationship is extremely important to our team in Chicago, Illinois. Our conversation begins with basic questions and leads into an in detail conversation, which will give us a clearer idea of who you are and what your perfect dog will be. We would like to have a fantastic working relationship with you. It starts the journey to select, teach and raise your pup.

Picking The Perfect Breed For Your Home
Once you have decided you are ready to add that amazing dog to your life in Chicago, Illinois. You may have your heart set on a certain breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our pups that are presently in our puppy raising program. There are things to take into account including the type of house you live in, your schedule, maybe you are raising a  little family, you love to travel or you’ve recently retired. This information will not limit your options, but instead help shed light on your life-style in Chicago, IL. We help guide you in this decision making process. As we learn more about you, we can certainly help you choose what you want and which puppy will best match your life-style.

Finding The Best Breeder in Chicago, Illinois
We partner with responsible breeders who are truly interested in improving their breed with good health and exceptional temperament of their pups. The initial eight weeks of a new pups life are as essential as to what follows. A good breeder is aware of this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have established a rapport with many exquisite breeders. We specifically find breeders who are aware of the early part they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their pups goes through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a wonderful life.  It’s incredibly important to work closely with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback in addition to our years of expertise to select the puppy with the best temperament for a prospective new family.

The Puppy‘s Training in Chicago, Illinois
Training your new puppy is a combination of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, fostering healthy relationships, in addition to exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments.For example, we have the pup stay overnight with different people in different settings; which in turn develops a dog for you who is relaxed and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your lifestyle. 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
Getting your puppy from the breeder

Training starts the instant a new puppy is in our hands in Chicago, Illinois. Once we select the puppy from the litter, the first thing we want to accomplish is developing confidence and a bond with this new puppy. We begin our relationship having fun while always teaching. Under our close guidance, we begin exposing the pup to its new world. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, go up and down stairs, walk over logs, and even get somewhat close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your dog to the world while strengthening our bond. We are huge dog lovers, but still very aware in those moments it is essential 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.

The Essential 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 may integrate into our strategies. Typically we utilize certain spots or objects to create an encounter for the pup. At times a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Chicago, Illinois. Our choices and vision are unlimited. Every exposure and experience builds upon the previous one. Through all of this, we very closely observe the puppy. We don’t confine ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to be more creative, think outside the box, and take advantage of occasions that manifest before us. Those opportunities are priceless when it comes down to teaching the dog.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We often consider 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 Chicago, 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 period than any other period of time in their lives. The quality and quantity of what they encounter will have a massive impact on their future personalities and determine many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. Throughout the imprinting phase, every experience is critical. 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 absorbing every experience like a sponge, we must stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new dog.

A Well-Mannered Friend
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained pup is so much more than just obedient. Knowing how to sit, stay or walk nicely on a loose leash are very important 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, as well as having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Chicago, IL  is equally important.

Our focus is to raise a puppy with remarkable manners and social skills. We start 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 in addition to within each new situation we expose your puppy to. We move 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 Chicago, 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 animal shelters. The adolescent stage can find your sweet pup developing into a monster. That nice puppy can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever picture. Many owners hope their puppy will outgrow unfavorable behaviors. Their dog is testing what is allowed and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue rehearsing naughty acts makes changing unwanted behavior more difficult.

Working in the Real World in Chicago, Illinois
We work to stop any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction places. Such as, we practice recalls when your dog is highly distracted maybe chasing something like a squirrel. We test and proof obedience in high traffic areas, 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 scenarios. We consider 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 striving to teach a dog how to cope in every new and various setting or scenario. We are raising a dog that isn’t depending on continual commands that dictate what he or she should and shouldn’t do. Rather, we desire a dog that can make good choices. Our number one priority is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will fit into your home.

We continue to strengthen and refine good manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the puppy has been living with the dog trainer in his/her personal home. Throughout this time, your dog will also spend a few days and nights staying with another loved one or close friend. Offering this chance, encourages your puppy to continue to be confident and comfortable in brand-new areas. This makes sure those habits and good manners will remain when he/she moves on to your house in Chicago, IL.