Picking Your New Puppy
The thought of raising a new puppy by yourself can be frustrating. You want a doggy that will match  wonderfully with your lifestyle. Your life in Elmhurst, Illinois may be busy, you may have a full-time profession, maybe you’re raising a young family, you like to travel or you’ve just retired. Peace of Mind Puppy provide s a worry free experience to add in that  amazing dog to your life.

The Experience Starts With a Assessment
We think it’s very important that you know who you will be teaming up with. Developing a relationship is exceptionally important to us in Elmhurst, Illinois. Our chat starts with basic questions and leads into an in depth discussion, which will provide us a better idea of who you are and what your perfect dog would be. We like to have a excellent working relationship with you. It starts the journey to pick, teach and raise your puppy.

Picking The Best Breed For Your Home
Once you have decided you are ready to include that amazing dog to your life in Elmhurst, Illinois. You have your heart set on a certain breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our dogs that are presently in our puppy raising program. There are things to think about for example, the type of house you live in, your schedule, maybe you are raising a  little family, you you may love to go on vacation or you’ve recently retired. All this will not reduce your choices, yet help clarify your lifestyle in Elmhurst, IL. We will help guide you in your decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can certainly assist you pick what you want and which breed will best suit your life-style.

Choosing The Perfect Breeder in Elmhurst, Illinois
We team up with responsible breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and exceptional temperament of their pups. The first eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as vital as to what follows. A great breeder understands this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have built a rapport with many great breeders. We specifically find breeders who understand the early part they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their puppies grows through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a terrific life.  It’s incredibly important to work closely with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback together with our years of expertise to pick the puppy with the best temperament for the potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Elmhurst, Illinois
Training your pup is a combo of teaching new skill-sets including manners, setting boundaries, nurturing healthy relationships, as well as exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments.Such as, we may have the puppy sleep overnight with various people in various settings; which in turn creates a dog for you who is comfortable and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your way of life. Because of this and exposures to other variables your dog readily bonds with you and your family.

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 Elmhurst, Illinois. Once we decide on the pup from the litter, the very 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 start exposing the pup to its new world. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over logs, and also get somewhat close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your puppy to the world while at the same time strengthening 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.

The Essential time for learning
During the initial few weeks we are teaching your new puppy boundaries, trust and focus. There is no restriction as to what we will incorporate into our approaches. Typically we make use of certain places or objects to create an experience for the pup. At times a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Elmhurst, Illinois. 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 do not limit ourselves to rigid 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 pup.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We like to consider it as an early investment in the life of this puppy. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and staying with us in Elmhurst, 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 any other period of time in their lives. The quality and quantity of what they experience will have a substantial impact on their future personalities and determine a number of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. Throughout the imprinting stage, 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 taking in every experience like a sponge, we must stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have fun with our new pup.

A Well-Mannered Friend
4 to 6 months 

A trained dog 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 being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Elmhurst, IL  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 refine the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a solid foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, making it a standard request in our regular 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 center of our philosophy. Being very clear and consistent is key. We restrict 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 Elmhurst, IL
6 months to young adult

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the normal age when many dogs are re-homed or surrendered 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 think of. Many owners hope their puppy will grow out of unwanted behaviors. Their dog is testing what is permitted and what is not. Allowing a dog to continue practicing naughty acts makes changing undesirable behavior more difficult.

Testing in the Real World in Elmhurst, Illinois
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction locations. For instance, we practice recalls when your dog is highly distracted maybe chasing something as common as a squirrel. We test and proof obedience in high traffic places, around barking dogs, around 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 scenarios. We imagine each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the dog? How does that picture change from day to day or location to location. We are aiming to teach a dog how to cope in each new and different environment or situation. We are raising a puppy that isn’t depending on continuous commands that control what he or she should and should not do. Instead, we want a dog that can make great decisions. Our main goal is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will fit into your home.

We continue to strengthen and fine-tune manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. During this time, the puppy has been staying with the dog trainer in his or her individual home. Throughout this time, your dog will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another loved one or friend. Giving this opportunity, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in new surroundings. This ensures those habits and good manners will stay when he goes on to your house in Elmhurst, IL.