Selecting Your Pup
The thought of raising a new young puppy on your own is frustrating. You hope for a puppy that can fit in  nicely with your lifestyle. Your life in Winchester, Massachusetts might be fast paced, you’ve got a full time profession, maybe you’re raising a new family, you like to travel or may be you just retired. Peace of Mind Puppy provide s a stress free experience to add that  awesome dog to your life.

The Program Starts With a Assessment
We think it’s important that you know who you will be dealing with. Developing a rapport is tremendously important to us in Winchester, Massachusetts. Our talk begins with simple questions and leads into an in depth discussion, which will give us a better idea of who you are and what your perfect dog might be. We want to have a wonderful working relationship with you. It begins the journey to pick, teach and raise your puppy.

Picking The Perfect Breed For Your Home
Once you have determined you want to add that amazing dog to your life in Winchester, Massachusetts. You may have your heart set on a certain breed or maybe you’re interested in one of our dogs that are currently in our puppy raising program. There are things to consider like where you live, how much you work, maybe you are raising a  little family, you you may love to go on vacation or you’ve recently retired. This information will not reduce your options, but instead help clarify your everyday life in Winchester, MA. We help guide you in this decision making process. As we get to know you better, we can certainly help you choose what you want and which dog will best fit your life-style.

Choosing The Best Breeder in Winchester, Massachusetts
We partner with responsible breeders who are truly interested in improving their breed with good health and exceptional temperament of their puppies. The first eight weeks of a new puppy’s life are as critical as to what happens after. A great breeder is aware of this and helps get the puppy off to a great start.

We have developed a relationship with many outstanding breeders. We particularly find breeders who comprehend 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 good life.  It is very important to work closely with the breeder. We depend on the breeder’s knowledge and also our years of expertise to select the puppy with the best temperament for the potential new family.

Your Puppy‘s Training in Winchester, Massachusetts
Training your dog is a combination of teaching new skill-sets including manners, setting boundaries, encouraging healthy relationships, and also exposing your dog successfully to people, other dogs and desensitizing him or her to all types of environments. For instance, we may have the pup stay overnight with different people in various settings; which develops a dog for you who is comfortable and easy to live with because he or she can easily adapt|adjusts} to your lifestyle. Because of this and exposures to other factors your dog easily bonds with you and your family.

Imprinting Good Behavior ~Birth to 16 Weeks
Picking up your puppy from the breeder

Training starts the moment a new puppy is in our hands in Winchester, Massachusetts. Once we pick the puppy 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 begin exposing the pup to its new world. For instance, 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 puppy to the world while enhancing our bond. We are huge dog lovers, yet 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 the company 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 incorporate into our methods. Typically we make use of particular spots or objects to create an experience for the pup. At times a spur of the moment opportunity may present itself in Winchester, Massachusetts. Our choices and creativity are limitless. Every exposure and experience builds upon the prior one. Through all of this, we thoroughly monitor the puppy. We never restrict ourselves to inflexible rules. We try to become more creative, think outside the box, and take advantage of events that manifest before us. Those opportunities are invaluable when it comes down to teaching the dog.

Every interaction with the new puppy is a teaching moment. We like to think of it as an early investment in the life of this pup. This is the first time away from his or her littermates and living with us in Winchester, 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 effect on their future personalities and determine much of their “good” or “bad” behavior tendencies. Throughout the imprinting period, every experience is important. 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 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 pup.

A Well-Mannered Pal
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 necessary things to learn. Good manners, great social skills and a healthy relationship with his or her family are important. In addition, desensitization, exposure to many different distractions and situations, in addition to being comfortable to fit into a lifestyle in Winchester, MA  is equally important.

Our focus is to raise a dog with remarkable manners and social skills. We begin 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 normal request in our everyday routine in addition to 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 very clear and consistent is key. We restrict our words when providing 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 Winchester, MA
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 turning into a monster. That nice puppy can be more mouthy and disobedient than you could ever envision. Many owners hope their canine will grow out of undesirable 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 Winchester, Massachusetts
We work to prevent any unwanted behavior by instilling boundaries and practicing obedience in high distraction places. For example, we practice recalls when your dog is extremely distracted perhaps chasing something as common as a squirrel. We practice and proof obedience in high traffic spots, around barking dogs, around 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 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 working to teach a dog how to cope in each new and different environment or scenario. We are raising a dog that isn’t depending on continuous commands that dictate what he or she should and should not do. Instead, we prefer a dog that can make great decisions. Our main goal is to have a well-balanced dog, 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 puppy has been living with the dog trainer in their personal home. Throughout this time, your puppy will also spend a few days and nights hanging out with another family member or close friend. Giving this opportunity, encourages your dog to continue to be confident and comfortable in new settings. This makes sure those habits and good manners will remain when he or she moves on to your house in Winchester, MA.