Before you buy a puppy...

Early socialization

The importance of early socialization cannot be stressed enough. Puppies should be handled from birth, but human intervention is not a substitute for the valuable lessons instilled by the mother dog and litter mates on a puppy's mental and emotional development. Starting at about 5 weeks of age and continuing to around 10 weeks of age, the puppy is learning lessons that will influence his behavior for the rest of his life.

Puppies start to become aware of their surroundings starting at around 5 weeks. It is at this point that the puppy's personally and temperament begin to emerge. All puppies will assert themselves, chewing on mama and their litter mates. It is the mother's and litter mate's reaction to this behavior that begins to shape the developing puppy mind. One puppy chews on another puppy. The other puppy chews back harder. It will be determined at this point who is dominant and who is submissive -- Which one cries and backs off, which one has to get the last word. The mother dog plays an invaluable role at this time. If the puppy chews on mama too hard, she will bite and shake him, making him squeal. The puppy is learning how to inhibit his biting. If the older puppy (eight to ten weeks) bites mama and runs off, she will run him down and correct him. Breeders that sell puppies at 4, 5, or even 6 weeks of age are doing a disservice to the puppy, and to the new owner. These breeders make the assumption that if the puppy is eating solid food he is old enough to leave. Besides, the older the puppy the more they cost to care for. Puppies should not leave the breeder until they are at least 8 to 10 weeks of age.

Puppies that have been taken away form the mother and litter mates at a very young age (from birth to 4 weeks) have very distinctive temperament disorders. Training will help, but these tendencies will stay with the dog for life. The classic signs are: The dog does not know how to inhibit his biting. He clamps down hard every time. If he is corrected or manipulated in any way, he will become very angry. He is affectionate to a degree, but distant. He spends a lot of time in his own little world. Any time things don't go his way, he'll throw a full-blown temper tantrum. Once he learns how to do something he is relatively fine, and will oblige. However, every time he learns something new, he will go berserk.

These unwanted behaviors, and more, will be addressed and cured in our program. We have the solution because we understand the problem.
**We guarantee immediate results**

Housebreaking

The key to housebreaking can be summed up in one phrase: "catch the dog as he's getting ready to go, and bring him where he needs to go." If you can't catch him, you can't train him. You must not correct the dog after the fact. Because the dog's mind focuses strictly in the present, scolding him even a second after he's eliminated is way too late.

Since nothing happened while he was in the process of eliminating, in his mind that can't be the problem. However, if you do catch him in the act, don't yell at him to make him stop, or grab him and put him in his crate. Keep in mind that you're not trying to make the dog stop what he's doing, as much as you are trying to redirect his actions. He needs to be shown where he's expected to go. If you scream at the dog he will become frightened to the exclusion of all else. Poorly timed and inappropriate corrections will confuse the dog, cause him to fear you, and motivate him to sneak and hide to do his business. If you find mess on the floor, don't show it to him, don't put his nose in it, and don't spank him, just clean it up.

Territorial Wetting

Territorial wetting refers to the dog that lifts his leg to urinate in the house. This is not a housebreaking problem but a deliberate act intended to stake out a claim of ownership inside the home.

Intact male dogs mature between the age of 10 months and a year and a half. Leg lifting is a sign of maturity. It is an old wives' tale that a male dog has to see another male dog lift his led to get the idea. Leg lifting allows the dog to disperse urine on objects at the nose level of other individuals. This form of communication broadcasts the dog's overall health and status to any other dog that comes across his scent mark. Many dogs carry over this behavior into the home.

Jumping

The weaning process begins when puppies are old enough to start eating solid food. Around four weeks of age, they instinctively begin to lick their mother or any older dog in the face and mouth. This behavior stimulates the regurgitation reflex in the adult thus providing a meal for the pups. This licking becomes a form of greeting when the puppies get too old to be fed in this manner. It is easy for one dog to lick another dog in the face. However, when it comes to licking their human counterpart in the face, it becomes an entirely different matter. The only way the dog can get to your face is by standing on his hind legs and putting his front paws on you. This is your dog's way of greeting you. Using dog phychology this behavior can be corrected in less than 30 seconds.

Chewing

Chewing is the dog's way of exploring his environment. He cannot distinguish between toys that are there for his entertainment and household items.

If you scold your dog when you see him chewing on something, you become the deterrent. Our program teaches you how to make the object the deterrent, so you don't have to be the "bad guy."

Digging

Dogs are den animals, and as a result, they dig instinctively. Dogs dig to keep cool, bury bones, have their puppies, get out and roam the neighborhood, or just dig for the sake of digging.

Certain breeds have a greater tendency to dig. Digging is generally not acceptable behavior because it can destroy a backyard and create dangerous potholes. With our training method, the dog makes the choice not to do the behavior.

Excessive Barking

Barking is the dog's verbal form of communication. Dogs that bark excessively are in emotional distress. This is generally due to loneliness, boredom, or defensive behavior in dogs that haveng assumed the role of pack leader.

Play Biting

is a normal part of young dog behavior. Starting at around 4 to 5 weeks of age puppies start mouthing their siblings. It's the dog's way of determining what social position he holds in relation to his canine peers.

When the dog chews on his human pack member, he is trying to ascertain the same thing. Are you in charge, or do you allow yourself to be used as a chew toy?

Taking Things

A common yet undesirable behavior seen in our canine counterpart is their propensity to take things. Dish towels, paper towels, slippers, and underwear are among the many items the dog will target.

Taking things such as chicken bones and unknown substances could cause harm if ingested. Once the dog has his forbidden prize, he will go to extraordinary lengths to keep it. It's canine nature to take things, but how the situation is handled will determine if the problem will be perpetual or be cured.

Not Coming When Called

As a survival strategy young puppies instinctively stay with and follow the pack, whether canine or human ("Safety in numbers"). As puppies get older, usually between 4 to 6 months of age, they start to explore their world, becoming inquisitive and independent.

This is why the young puppy that followed you everywhere begins to ignore you. This is normal dog behavior. Teaching your dog to come when called takes between 5 and 15 minutes. With our technique your dog can reliably and immediately be off leash in any situation.

Walking on a Leash

It is important for your dog to walk on a leash without pulling. Untrained dogs will disregard the person hanging on to the other end of the leash. A dog that pulls ahead has dominant tendencies.

This behavior is not pleasant for the person or the dog. Dogs that pull when walked with improper equipment (buckle collar, choke chain) run the risk of damaging their windpipe. Harnesses encourage dogs to pull. Gentle leaders and Halti's don't train, they restrain. Knowing how to use the proper equipment will have your dog walking off leash in less than 5 weeks.