Puppyhood goes by quickly, but the habits formed now shape your dog’s future. Whether you’re brand new to puppy-parenting, or a veteran who just needs a little support, we’ll help you build a joyful relationship based on force-free communication, trust, and play.
From biting to chewing to evening zoomies, we coach you through the tough stuff, and help your pup grow into the adventure buddy you imagined. We do it all using kind, effective methods that build your bond and support your puppy’s safe and optimal development.
Every puppy plan is customized, but here’s what we often focus on to bring out your brightest future together:
We do our best work with puppy owners who are invested in not only surviving puppyhood, but helping their puppy thrive for years to come.
Puppies are a lot. The wish for a quick fix is completely understandable. But puppies need time to learn about the world and how to behave in it. If you’re ready to embrace that process. you’re exactly who we’re here for.
Our programs go beyond sit and stay, helping you set the stage for a joyful, confident, well-rounded dog who can be by your side at home, at the vet, or around town worry-free.
Our training is built on positive reinforcement, which means your puppy learns through many small wins that grow into great habits. It supports their emotional development, strengthens your bond, and builds the kind of trust that lasts a lifetime.
Rather than see-you-and-leave-you, our programs are designed to keep you moving forward with a unique level of trainer support.
A behavior professional works directly with your puppy multiple times a week to jumpstart your puppy's learning. Your dog makes progress even if you can't train everyday.
Bonus reservable 15-minute Zoom sessions each week, included in each package. Whether you've hit a sticking point with your puppy, or just need a trainer's ear, we're there.
Check in with your personal puppy trainer through a shared Training Log. Get clear next steps as soon as you're ready and troubleshooting help when you need it.
We're invested in your long-term success. Lighter-touch continuing packages support you in carrying good behavior into adolescence and adulthood.
Our Jumpstart programs pair you with a certified trainer who works directly with your puppy, easing the burden of teaching, socializing, and tiring your pup out, three days per week.
You have enough to manage, even without all the puppy teeth and potty accidents. Let us take some of the overwhelm off of your shoulders.
Every client gets a plan built around their puppy specifically. We'll tailor a plan for your goals and your puppy's specific needs.
Additional resources, insights, and how-to's that are most relevant to you and your puppy
Easy communication with your trainer for quick feedback, next steps, and progress updates. No waiting a week to find out if you and your puppy are on the right track.
Weekly mini-sessions reservable through Zoom. Ask puppy questions and get help with any mid-week challenges before they become bad habits.
Graduates have access to continuing packages and our Post-Grad Support membership to keep your pup's positive new skills strong for life.
“Mara was WONDERFUL with our dog, Luna! We saw a HUGE improvement in our dog’s behavior after only the first session (truly, she was training US for what to do). She is calm, patient and very kind. Luna and we loved her! Highly recommend”
All new clients begin with a 1-hour Start Right Session, at your home or virtually. We’ll get to know each other and discuss your puppy’s behavior in-depth.
You’ll leave with:
Note: A free Intro call is available before booking a Start Right Session. Chat with a trainer to learn if we’re a good fit, no commitment required.
Owners ready to be their puppy’s primary trainer with expert guidance along the way.
Meet with your trainer for weekly train-together sessions, at home or on age-appropriate socialization outings around town.
The real magic happens as you practice together with your puppy, continuing training skills and socialization exercises during each week.
While you practice between sessions, keep in touch with your trainer through your shared puppy Training Log and Trainer Chats (check-in calls).
What’s Included:
And:
Owners who love the idea of a behavior expert stepping in to do the heavy lifting and making sure every week of puppyhood counts.
Your trainer puts in training “reps” with your puppy to help make sure training gets done and to accelerate progress.
While you’re busy at work (or just living life), your trainer works directly with your puppy three times a week, putting socialization training and new listening skills into action.
As your puppy learns, you’ll learn how to take the reins during weekly Transfer Sessions.
We’ll meet with you throughout training, not just a handoff at the end, so you and your puppy learn how to work effectively together as a team right from the get-go.
And:
All clients begin with a free 30-minute phone call with our trainer. Tell us about your puppy, explore services, and learn if we’re a good fit. Schedule today to get the process started.
Next, all new clients kick off with a Start Right Session – an in-home or virtual session for us to meet you and your puppy, hear your goals for your pup, and build an action plan. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to start good habits and what to focus on first.
From here, you’re ready to embark on your training journey! You’ll start a package, learning skills for better behavior and a more joyful partnership. Post-Grad packages are available after training to support you and your puppy throughout their development.
We recommend starting training as soon as your puppy comes home, usually around 8 weeks of age. Puppies start forming their habits from their very first day with you. Our core puppy packages are built for, and are most effective for, pups around this age.
Your puppy also has a limited window for “socialization” – learning how feel safe, happy, and carefree with the great big world and with new experiences. Socialization training becomes much less effective, and sometimes impossible to replicate, once your puppy reaches 12-16 weeks and older.
So, the earlier you team up with your puppy trainer, the better!
If you’re getting a later start on training, don’t despair. It’s still best to get started now. We’ll make the most of your pup’s early learning and confidence-building time that lies ahead.
If your pup is older than 16 weeks, we can still help. We’ll tailor a custom package for their current life stage and individual needs.
This is actually a fantastic time to start working with a trainer! Some of the most important “training” time during packages is spent learning how your puppy thinks and how to set them up for good habits in your daily routine. We can plan all of this before your pup comes home for a smooth start together.
Meeting your trainer before you puppy comes home is especially recommended for first-time puppy guardians, or if you just want to hit the ground running with positive learning for your pup right from the start.
Scheduling a Start Right Session is the perfect first step, even before your puppy comes home. We’ll go over detailed plans for housetraining your puppy, teaching them what to chew and what not to, settling during alone time, and more. When your new family arrives, you’ll be ultra-prepared and make the most of every day together.
Puppies are notoriously “sharky” in their first few months of life. If you’re feeling like a human chew toy, you’re certainly not alone!
Through our in-home puppy programs, we’ll help you manage your puppy’s biting and redirect it in appropriate ways. We’ll also help you distinguish between normal puppy biting and true aggression. We find that the vast majority of puppy biting falls into the former category, but if you’re unsure, let’s chat about it on during your Intro Call or Start Right Session.
It’s true that you should not let your puppy walk places that other dogs frequent (dog parks, city parks, busy sidewalks) until their shots are complete.
However, this same window in your pup’s life is also an irreplaceable time for exploring and learning to feel safe in the world, aka socialization.
There are safe ways to let your puppy learn about the world before they’re fully vaccinated, without putting paws in unsafe places. Puppy field trips, like in our Jumpstart packages, or puppy classes, are a great way to do this. For more information, this position statement written by veterinary behaviorists advises working with a positive trainer and early socialization training when done right.
During a Coaching package, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of how to safely socialize your puppy.
Or, during a Jumpstart package, we’ll take your puppy on trips where they’ll gain confidence in the world under the guidance of a positive trainer. We follow guidelines by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB) for effective and safe puppy socialization.
Your puppy has their entire life ahead of them to learn obedience skills. But they only have about their first three months of life to learn invaluable life lessons for a stress-free existence like comfort with new sounds, people, places, and aggression prevention.
This type of learning, called socialization, is the most important thing to focus on early in your pup’s life. Although practical manners are also important, a good puppy trainer will make sure your dog receives a variety of positive early socialization training too. Our packages teach sit, come, and settle, while also dedicating time to these vital confidence-building topics.