Selecting Your New Puppy
The idea of raising a new pup on your own may be overwhelming. You want a dog that will fit in  wonderfully with your life. Your life in Acton, Massachusetts can be hectic, you’ve got a full time job, you may be raising a young family, you may like to travel or may be you just retired. We provide a anxiety free experience to add that  spectacular dog to your life.

The Process Starts With a Consultation
We know it is essential that you know who you will be teaming up with. Developing a relationship is extremely important to us in Acton, Massachusetts. Our chat begins with basic questions and leads into an detailed discussion, which will give us a much better idea of who you are and what your perfect dog would be. We like to have a great working relationship with you. It starts the journey to select, teach and raise your pup.

Choosing The Perfect Breed For Your Household
Once you have decided you want to add that amazing dog to your life in Acton, Massachusetts. You 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 think about such as the type of house you live in, your schedule, maybe you are raising a  little family, you love to go on vacation or maybe you have recently retired. This information will not limit your choices, yet help clarify your life-style in Acton, MA. We help guide you in your decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can assist you choose what you want and which puppy will best suit your lifestyle.

Selecting The Perfect Breeder in Acton, Massachusetts
We collaborate with amazing breeders who are genuinely interested in improving their breed with good health and fantastic temperament of their puppies. The initial eight weeks of a new pups life are as essential as to what happens after. A excellent breeder understands this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a rapport with many amazing breeders. We particularly search out breeders who are aware of the early part they play in a puppies life. They know when one of their pups grows through our program, it ensures the puppy will end up having a terrific life.  It’s really important to work carefully with the breeder. We count on the breeder’s knowledge in addition to our years of expertise to pick the puppy with the best temperament for a potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Acton, Massachusetts
Training your dog is a combo of teaching new skill-sets including manners, setting boundaries, encouraging healthy relationships, along with exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all different types of environments.Such as, we have the puppy stay overnight with various people in different settings; which in turn creates a dog for you who is relaxed and easy to live with because he or she adapts|adjusts} to your way of life. 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
Picking up your puppy from the breeder

Training starts the instant a new puppy is in our hands in Acton, Massachusetts. Once we choose the pup from the litter, the very first thing we wish 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 begin exposing the pup to its new world. Such as, getting him or her to follow us, climb stairs, walk over branches, and also get relatively close to loud noises. By doing this, we are environmentally socializing your puppy to the world while boosting our bond. We are huge dog lovers, but still remarkably aware in those moments it is imperative to concentrate more on being a leader and guide as the new puppy learns about this new world without having the company of its litter mates or mom.

Crucial time for learning
During the first 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. Frequently we use specific places or objects to create an experience for the puppy. In some cases a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Acton, Massachusetts. Our decisions and vision are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds on the last one. Through all of this, we thoroughly supervise the puppy. We do not confine ourselves to stiff rules. We try to be more creative, think outside the box, and make the most of activities that manifest before us. Those opportunities are priceless when it comes to teaching the dog.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We often think of it as an early investment in the life of this pup. This is the first time away from their littermates and staying with us in Acton, Massachusetts. 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 influence on their future personalities and decide a number of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. During the course of the imprinting period, every experience is critical. It is essential to build their self-confidence. The expression ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ does not apply to their early interactions. Because puppies are soaking up every experience like a sponge, we need to stay very aware of all interactions and yet still have a good time with our new puppy.

A Well-Mannered Pal
4 to 6 months 

A trained dog is a lot 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 vital. Additionally, desensitization, exposure to various distractions and situations, as well as being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Acton, MA  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 carries on as we fine-tune the dog’s behavior. The goal is to have a solid foundation by about 4 to 6 months. We practice obedience, making it a regular request in our regular routine as well as within each new situation we expose your dog to. We go from shaping to formalizing 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 giving commands. We want your dog to understand what we want when we give them the command. When we say ‘come’ or ‘here’ we expect 100% response immediately.

Proofing Behavior in a Social World in Acton, MA
6 months to young adult

Enter the teenage years– adolescence. This is the normal age when many dogs are re-homed or given up to 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 think of. Many owners hope their canine will grow out of unwanted 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 challenging.

Testing in the Real World in Acton, Massachusetts
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction locations. For example, we practice recalls when your dog is very distracted maybe chasing something like a squirrel. We practice 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 scenarios. We consider each situation as a picture. What does that look like to the dog? How does that picture differ from day to day or location to location. We are striving to teach a dog how to adapt in every new and various environment or situation. We are raising a dog that isn’t depending on ongoing commands that control what he or she should and shouldn’t do. Rather, we want a dog that can make good decisions. Our main priority is to have a well-balanced puppy, who will fit into your home.

We continue to strengthen and improve manners making good behavior a habit for the dog. During this time, the dog has been living with the trainer in their personal home. During this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights staying with another family member or close friend. Giving this chance, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in brand-new areas. This ensures those habits and good manners will remain when he/she goes on to your house in Acton, MA.