Puppy FastStart Program
Call Today!
Sam Basso
PHOENIX , AZ AREA: (602) 708-4531
OR, if you are out of this area, inquire about a telephone or e-Lesson
Email: [email protected]
The Pupp
y FastStart Program prepares your puppy for later Basic Obedience Training. This is a “preschool” program for puppies. This is the ideal way to start every puppy. However, because we are still in a tough economy, some people can’t afford all of this, and sometimes it is best to just pick and choose which of these lessons your pup needs most. This is an investment in the future development of your dog, so be sure to consider your long term needs.
This complete program is for young puppies under 16 weeks of age. If your pup is older than that, then you should sign up for Basic Obedience.
WHY START YOUNG? Puppies can learn quite a bit. They are fast learners and they can benefit from learning early word associations and skills. They also need to start learning Manners, otherwise they become difficult to live with.
WHAT AGE TO START? Puppy lessons can start the day your puppy comes home. Most puppies will not be ready to begin Basic Obedience until16 weeks of age. Young pups, under 16 weeks of age, are USUALLY difficult to manage, yet they aren’t too young to begin a “pre-school” type of program. This is what I do with my pups, and that is what all top dog trainers and handlers do with their own pups, regardless of the ultimate job of the dog… guide dogs are started at 8 weeks… same with competition dogs, police dogs, hunting dogs, etc. I start training them at 7 or 8 weeks of age. It has been proven in scientific studies that pups CAN learn at this age, and WILL GREATLY BENEFIT from early training. Scientific studies proved this decades ago. Early puppy training will make your pup more confident, easier to live with, and WILL improve your pup’s development potential as an adult. (Read: How to Socialize Your Puppy)
By starting early, you will make the later training go much smoother. (READ: Preparing For A New Puppy)
The Puppy FastStart Program is a FOUR LESSON PROGRAM. I will come to your home for four lessons, and personally work with you and your puppy. This program will cover the following topics:
1.) Handler / Owner Skills: I’m going to show you how to be your dog’s leader. I’m also going to show you how to work with your dog. Just because you owned or trained a dog in the past doesn’t mean your skills are sufficient today to manage your new puppy. Every dog owner can use instruction on how to better manage and train their puppies. Further, we also sometimes have to discuss how to get everyone in the family to participate properly in the training, and get everyone doing it the same way. The advantage of this program is the ongoing support you will receive from me along the way. I’m available after hours, weekends, etc. to help you along.
2.) Potty Training: this is a 60 minute lesson (if the lesson takes longer than this, then there isn’t any additional charge) covering everything you need to know to teach your pup to urinate and defecate outdoors, instead of in your home; it also includes free support. This is a MUST for all small breeds and for first time dog owners. Even so, most dog owners really don’t know how to properly house train a dog, and wait way too long to call in a professional to help them out. I advocate doing the house training, if possible, BEFORE you even bring the dog home. That way, you are doing things right from the very first day.
3.) Puppy Manners: We will cover biting, chewing, and other nuisance behaviors. We will also go over other issues such as being on furniture, jumping, pulling on the leash, and barking. Your pup is going to become a little alligator in these early weeks, and it’s best to deal with these issues early on before they become a serious problem 1 or 2 years down the line. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE DOG… then this lesson becomes even more important to head off potential dogs fights. If you happened to get 2 or more puppies from the same litter, this lesson is a MUST! There are things owners unintentionally do that mess up the pack order and can lead to dog fights. Let me show you how to manage a multiple dog household to minimize the potential for aggression. This lesson is also a must if you question whether your older dog is going to attack your puppy.
4.) Basic Command Words: Sit, Down, Heel, Here, Up, Off, and Leave It, Drop It. Yes, pups can start learning how to obey commands from the very start, so long as the training is all positive and geared towards young puppies. With this foundation, the later training comes much easier for the dog and the family.
5.) Appropriate Play: Puppies need to learn how to play in a mannerly way. So, we will discuss how to channel your dog’s energies and interest into play. That way you aren’t continually scolding your dog. So, we will go over… Fetch & Tug: I will work with the pup to get these important skills started correctly. Not all dogs will play these games, but if your pup has the prey drive to do so, they can be invaluable ways of teaching your dog important skills. For some dogs, if you start teaching Fetch at a young age, they will do it as adults. But, once they are adults, sometimes it is impossible to get them to do it without forcing them to. Fetch is more than just a game. It helps attentiveness, builds prey drive for toys for later obedience motivation, can be used as a ‘treat’ for some behaviors, helps exercise pups (especially once things get too hot outside to train, you can run them hard in brief sessions rather than taking them for very long walks), etc. Toys: I will work with your pup to help the pup start chewing and playing with toys, instead of your furniture, shoes, plants, etc. We’ll discuss what types of toys to purchase, how to get your dog interested in playing with their stuff instead of your valuable things, etc. Dogs need to learn how to entertain themselves without you being around.
6.) Introduction to a Leash: Many pups panic when first put on a leash. Panic is detrimental to your pups development, can harm your later training, and can permanently damage your long term relationship with your dog. I will work with your pup to help your pup accept a leash and collar. You can’t get your dog out to socialize very well if you have to carry them around all the time. And an unsocialized dog can become dangerous over time. People often give up using a collar on their dogs. They then switch to using harnesses and other silly devices to be able to walk their dogs. The problem with these other devices is that it sends the wrong message to a dog that it doesn’t have to walk nicely on a leash, but instead gets to drag you along or play the “mule” and not walk at all. No one wants a spoiled dog, meaning a dog that starts taking leadership over the relationship.
7.) Introduction to a Crate and/or Kennel: It is essential that you teach your pup to sleep in a crate and/or kennel. One day, you might have to leave your pup at the veterinarian’s office for surgery, or you might have to fly your dog somewhere, or have some other type of emergency. If your adult dog panics in a crate, it might injure itself trying to escape. Imagine the damage if your veterinarian requires that you confine your dog to a crate for healing an injury, and your dog refuses to be put in one: that could make the difference between your dog living or dying. It is important that you teach your pup to accept a crate as a bed, early on, to prepare for later emergencies. Properly used, a crate is like a playpen for a child… a place to park them when you can’t supervise them. It is NOT a punishment, it is just a place to rest.
8.) Biting and Chewing: It is no fun to be around a pup that bites you or destroys your things. I will work with you and your pup to help resolve these issues. I expect a pup to learn, by 5 months of age, that it must never put its teeth on you or your friends.
9.) Other behavioral issues your dog might display. If special problems are developing with your pup, we will go over those in detail, and begin homework to resolve those issues. I have dealt with pups that displayed dangerous tendencies at a very young age. I have seen other problems developing at an early age, and we can usually head off major problems if we start early on.
To enroll your dog in the Puppy FastStart Program program call or email me so we can coordinate our schedules.
The Puppy FastStart Program is the BEST way to start your puppy off. It will make life much easier for you, and make your puppy much more responsive as an adult.
OUR GOAL: A HAPPY, WELL ADJUSTED, TRAINED DOG… AND A WELL TRAINED, STRESS FREE, HAPPY DOG OWNER
