PUPPY TRAINING
Puppies are amazing!
Puppies are also a lot of work and a huge responsibility – they don’t come equipped with skills and knowledge to navigate the often confusing and scary human world.
The first few months of your puppies life are the most important developmentally – puppies go through what is called the Critical Socialization Period when they are open to new exposures and experiences. This period ends by 16 weeks of age and is absolutely crucial for your puppy to be exposed to things you want them to accept as an adult during this time.
Positive interactions with other canines, seeing many different looking people and experiencing different sights and sounds of the world are best done in this window. Getting our puppies exposed and engaging in essential early time-sensitive training like tolerating body handling makes a huge difference in their chances of maturing into a confident and resilient adult dog.
We can help you set your puppy up for success in this most critical time – we offer everything from group classes to board and train programs to give your puppy the absolute best start on the road to becoming an enjoyable and well-rounded companion.
CLICK HERE to read about safely socializing young puppies!
Check out our group and private training offerings lower on this page!
Unsure which class or program is right for you? BOOK A FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
Click the headline below to expand for more info:
Group Classes
Our Smart Start puppy classes can help you raise your puppy to be a well-mannered and well-adjusted companion.
Smart Start is and 8 week program that covers essential age-sensitive training like:
- confidence building and environmental socialization
- emotional regulation and impulse control
- tolerance of body handling
- exposure to sounds, surfaces and novel stimuli which need to be completed during your puppy’s primary socialization window before 16 weeks of age
- foundation manners training like drop it, settle on a mat, come when called and puppy leash walking
Our Puppy Smart Start program is the recommended starting point for any puppy 16 weeks of age of younger at the start of classes.
The first 4 classes are held indoors at Barks and Recreation Saturday at 1:15pm. The classroom is a sanitized and safe environment and no puppy play is included so you can start your puppy off on the right paw safely before all vaccinations are complete.
CLICK HERE to read about safely socializing young puppies!
The second 4 sessions are outdoors taking your socialization experience out into the world Saturdays at 11am. Learn how to get your puppy to focus on you around distractions, what socialization should really look like, and do some beginning manners training.
8 weeks for $290 OR 3 monthly payments of $105 (see below), includes an off-leash training leash ($40 value).
START ANY WEEK:
Puppy Smart Start Package – 8 classes for one-time payment of $290
OR….
Puppy Smart Start Plus – 8 classes plus one month membership
Membership includes: One live Q&A Coaching Call and one Drop-In Class ($65 value)
3 equal monthly payments of $110
—
We offer a variety of fun sports classes so you can do more with your dog. We offer off-leash training, nosework, tricks, heeling, and fun-gility classes. To see our sports class offerings as well as prices, start dates and pre-requsites please visit this page.
—
Love Your Dog, But Not Their Behaviour?
NEW – BEHAVIOUR BREAKTHROUGH GROUP PROGRAM
Introducing our new group coaching program for understanding and resolving problem behaviours. For anyone who loves their dog but doesn’t love their behaviour.
If your dog is anxious, fearful, reactive, or an “obedience school drop-out” this class is for you.
Our Behaviour Breakthrough program includes 3 levels of online classes to give you the understanding and skills to work your dog through problematic behaviour. Building Balance covers everything you need to know to understand your individual dog, why problem behaviours develop, how to meet your dog’s needs, how to communicate with them, and how to be a good pet parent. Wild Child is all about training games to teach your crazy canine self control. Big Feelings is focused on leash reactivity for dogs, the most common behaviour issue we see! After completing the online series you will be able to attend in-person leash reactivity training classes.
Visit the Behaviour Breakthrough page to learn more
Puppy Play and Learn - Daycare and Train Program (3 to 8 months)
This is our day school program for puppies 3-8 months old. It is mandatory for all puppies joining daycare until over 6 months old or graduated by management to regular day care.
Includes:
– Dog daycare up to 5 hours. Supervised, structured dog socialization mixed with naps, training and enrichment.
– Training sessions with our Certified Trainer
– Private socialization walk with our Certified Trainer
One Play & Learn session per week and one lesson with our Certified Trainers for $78/week ($312/month).
Purchase additional days for $63 per day.
Drop off between 8am and 10am
Pick up between 1pm and 3pm
No Meet & Greet necessary! Simply buy the package, and book your puppy in for the day/days you want them to attend each week.
Puppies must be up to date on Distemper/Parvo DAPP), Bordetella, and Rabies vaccination to attend.
*2nd round of vaccinations (DAPP and Bordetella) is required. Rabies is not required until 4-6 months old/as recommended by the vet*
Puppy Power - Private Lessons Program
Our trainers will expertly guide you on how to make raising your new family member as easy and stress-free as possible.
One-on-one coaching sessions are flexible schedule and curriculum wise, so your program can be tailored to cover exactly what you need. You’ll also find having the trainer come to your home and work with you and your entire family highly beneficial.
For puppies under 4 months. Start your puppy off on the right paw. This package includes 3 in-home private sessions with our Certified Trainer and resident “puppy goddess” Ashley.
Perfect for:
– bringing home a new puppy and wanting to set the household and pup up for success
– troubleshooting issues like house training, crate training and nipping
– help with how to safely and thoroughly socialize your puppy
– starting manners like puppy leash walks, recall, sit/down, settle on a mat, drop it/leave it
BOOK NOW – $356.25 for 3 lessons (save 5%)
BOOK NOW – $675 for 6 lessons (save 5%)
Additional lessons may be purched for $125 each.
For major issues like aggression (over food, toys, chews, being handled or otherwise) or separation anxiety (barking and crying in crate or pen, inability to be left alone) please see the “SOS – I NEED HELP!” tab.
Puppy Prep School Board & Train
Let us take the lead during the most important part of your puppy’s life.
Puppy Prep School Board & Train is our top of the line puppy program – an exclusive puppy development board and train with our Certified Trainers and Behaviour Consultants. Your puppy will stay with one of our amazing trainers and receive professional training and handling 24/7. We treat them like they are one of ours- they stay in our homes, and go where our dogs go! This is an excellent option for giving your puppy a strong head start on early training and socialization. Let a professional lay the foundation for a life time of a great relationship.
What’s included?
- daily training for crate training and house training
- daily manners training
- off-leash foundations training
- socialization to dogs, people, environments and more
Less then 3 nights – $249.99 per night
$1199.99 per week – includes one hour of private transfer sessions and unlimited email support.
To book a spot, please e-mail us for availability.
SOS - I NEED HELP!
Some puppies are really tough. We get it!
If you are struggling with serious issues like aggression (growling, territorial behaviour, snapping, or biting), anxiety or fearfulness (separation anxiety, general anxiety, pacing, restlessness, excessive barking, fear of people, animals or other stimuli) or on-leash reactivity (barking and lunging on leash at people, dogs or objects) we are here to help.
Our programs focus less on traditional obedience and more on communicating with your dog, relationship building, and learning practical life skills.
We are dog behaviour experts. We believe dog behaviour problems are a symptom of issues in the environment, imbalances in the canine-human relationship, or the dog’s needs not being met. We’ll help you understand the root cause of your dog’s problem behaviours and develop a plan for long-term change.
Our training methods are positive-reinforcement and evidence-based. You’ll work with one of our Certified Dog Behaviour Consultants and Certified Family Dog Mediators. We believe strongly in continuing education and are always learning and striving to be better at what we do. This is why you’ll find our trainers have some of the highest credentials in the industry!
We love dogs and we love helping people build fulfilling relationships with their canine companions. We are here to bridge the gap between what you want and what your dog needs so you can learn to be someone your dog can really “hang their hat on”.
BOOK A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION (Basic) – FREE
15 minutes. Recommended if you want to get to know us a little, get a better idea about why a behaviour issue is occurring and get some quick tips, or if you are unsure about what training program is best for you and your dog.
—
BOOK AN ONLINE DISCOVERY SESSION (In-Depth) – $130
Recommended as a starting point for most behaviour issues. Done via Zoom (I know, we’re all “over it”), the online consultation is a great option to virtually sit down with a behaviour expert and deep dive into your concerns and goals. The online consultation is recommended because it is low stress for your pet and allows the consultant to see the dog’s behaviour at home in a more natural manner (without the added stress or excitement of a new person in the home). This online session is 75 minutes and will allow for an in depth assessment of the behaviour issues and why they may be occurring, We’ll help you understand what your dog’s needs are and how you can meet them and how to better communicate with them. Your consultant will work with you to develop a Behavioural Wellness Plan for your dog and get you started on exercises for behaviour change. A plan for follow up will also be recommended.
—
NEW – BEHAVIOUR BREAKTHROUGH GROUP PROGRAM – Introducing our new group coaching program for understanding and resolving problem behaviours. For anyone who loves their dog but doesn’t love their behaviour.
If your dog is anxious, fearful, reactive, or an “obedience school drop-out” this class is for you.
Our Behaviour Breakthrough program includes 3 levels of online classes to give you the understanding and skills to work your dog through problematic behaviour. Building Balance covers everything you need to know to understand your individual dog, why problem behaviours develop, how to meet your dog’s needs, how to communicate with them, and how to be a good pet parent. Wild Child is all about training games to teach your crazy canine self control. Big Feelings is focused on leash reactivity for dogs, the most common behaviour issue we see! After completing the online series you will be able to attend in-person leash reactivity training classes.
Vaccination Requirements Dogs must be up to date on rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations for all training appointments. Puppies require one set of Distemper/Parvo (DAPP) at 8 weeks old, 2 sets by 12 weeks (Bordetella recommended here as well), and 3 sets plus Rabies by 16 weeks.
Proof of vaccination must be provided before the appointment time. We cannot provide services to dogs without up to date vaccinations, but can accept titer test results of exemption letters from your veterinarian if your dog cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.
Cancellation Policy We have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you are unable to provide this notice, we will charge you in full for the missed appointment if we are unable to fill the spot. Evaluations will be charged a no-show fee. We sometimes have a waiting list and if given enough notice we can fill the appointment. There is no refunds for group class cancellations less than one week from start date of classes, and no refunds or make ups for missed classes. There is no refund for pre-paid lesson packages. If you have an emergency, please let us know so that we can treat your specific situation with personal attention. We do not consider conflicts to be emergencies. This cancellation policy is necessary for our small business to continue to serve our clients in need. Please call the store to cancel an appointment. E-mail cancellations will not be accepted. Thank you for understanding.
Group Class Cancellations: 50% will be refunded if cancelling within a week of start date.
NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS for cancellations within 48 hours of start date or after