Deciding on Your Puppy
The idea of raising a new young puppy by yourself can be overwhelming. You hope for a puppy that is going to fit in  wonderfully with your everyday life. Your life in Oak Brook, Illinois is busy, you may have a full time profession, you may be raising a young family, you like to travel or you’ve just retired. We provide a stress and anxiety free experience to add that  incredible dog to your life.

The Experience Begins With a Consultation
We think it’s important that you know who you will be coordinating with. Developing a rapport is exceptionally important to our company in Oak Brook, Illinois. Our talk begins with easy questions and leads into an in depth conversation, which will provide us a much better idea of who you are and what your dream dog might be. We like to have a wonderful working partnership with you. It begins the journey to select, teach and raise your puppy.

Choosing The Perfect Breed For Your Family
Once you have determined you want to include that perfect dog to your life in Oak Brook, Illinois. You may have your heart set on a particular breed or maybe you want one of our pups that are currently in our puppy raising program. There are things to consider such as where you live, how much you work, maybe you are raising a  little family, you love to go on vacation or maybe you have recently retired. All this will not minimize your options, yet help shed light on your lifestyle in Oak Brook, IL. We help guide you in your decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can certainly help you pick what you want and which dog will best accommodate your life-style.

Choosing The Perfect Breeder in Oak Brook, Illinois
We work with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and excellent temperament of their puppies. The initial eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as crucial as to what happens after. A good breeder knows this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a rapport with many outstanding breeders. We specifically search out 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 good life.  It’s very important to work closely with the breeder. We rely on the breeder’s feedback and also our years of expertise to pick out the puppy with the best temperament for a potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Oak Brook, Illinois
Training your dog is a combo of teaching new skills including manners, setting boundaries, fostering healthy relationships, together with exposing your puppy successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments. For instance, we have the pup sleep overnight with different people in various settings; which produces 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 factors your dog readily bonds 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 care in Oak Brook, Illinois. Once we pick the puppy from the litter, the first thing we wish to accomplish 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. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, go up and down 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 at the same time boosting our bond. We are huge dog lovers, but still significantly aware in those moments it is imperative to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new puppy discovers this new world without the presence 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 restriction as to what we will integrate into our methods. Frequently we utilize particular places or objects to create an experience for the puppy. In some cases a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Oak Brook, Illinois. Our choices and vision are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds on the previous one. Through all of this, we carefully observe the puppy. We don’t confine ourselves to stiff rules. We try to become more creative, think outside the box, and benefit from activities that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes down 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 Oak Brook, 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 experience will have a massive impact on their future personalities and decide many of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the imprinting period, every experience is vital. It is important to build their confidence. The expression ‘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 puppy.

A Well-Mannered Friend
4 to 6 months 

A well-trained puppy is a lot 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 important. Additionally, desensitization, exposure to many different distractions and situations, in addition to having the flexibility to fit into a lifestyle in Oak Brook, IL  is equally important.

Our focus is to raise 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 daily routine as well as 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 giving 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 Oak Brook, 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 rescues. 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 think of. Many owners hope their puppy 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 Oak Brook, Illinois
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction areas. Such as, 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 locations, around barking dogs, near 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 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 aiming to teach a dog how to adapt in each new and various setting or scenario. We are raising a puppy that isn’t dependent on constant commands that determine what he or she should and shouldn’t do. In fact, we prefer a dog that can make great choices. Our number one goal is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will fit into your home.

We continue to strengthen and fine-tune good manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. Throughout this time, the dog has been living with the trainer in his/her personal home. Throughout this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another loved one or close friend. Providing the dog with this opportunity, encourages your puppy to continue to be confident and comfortable in brand-new surroundings. This makes sure those habits and good manners will stay when he goes on to your house in Oak Brook, IL.