Winnie. Photo by Susan Rosenberg Jones
Puppy & Pre-Puppy Training Services
If you’ve got a new puppy in your life, there are literally dozens of things you’ll need to know. My methods give you the training and communication skills you’ll need to succeed with them all.
ALL ABOUT PUPPIES
My All About Puppies course covers practical aspects of puppy training, such as teething, biting, barking, potty training, and setting up feeding and watering schedules.
If you’re a first-time puppy parent, 4-6 sessions following an initial consultation are typical and will give you the confidence and skills you need.
Training should start soon after your pup arrives. This way, we begin with a clean slate and won’t have to correct negative behaviors later on. Lessons will be informative and fun for both you and your puppy.
All About Puppies covers everything you need to be well-informed about puppy training and ready to raise a healthy, happy, socially-adept, and well-behaved dog.
Recommended: If you are a first time puppy or dog parent, four-six sessions is typical. Otherwise, it’s best decided after the initial consultation.
Some of the Lessons We’ll Cover in a All About Puppies
After Your New Puppy’s Arrival
Review essentials like how you’ve puppy-proofed your home and prepared the area(s) where you puppy will sleep, eat, play, and spend their time.
Shopping Smart
Making sure you’ve got all the items you need for your new pup (food bowls, crates, pens, toys, etc)
Introductions
How to introduce your new pup to your family dog, cat, or children so they learn to tolerate each other.
Bite Inhibition
How to teach your puppy not to nip/bite/mouth
De-Sensitization
How to help your pup adjust to scary objects and loud noises
Nutritional Tips
Food & treat recommendations
Toxic Substances
Which foods, plants, and household materials are or may be caustic to your new pup
Early Socialization Tips
The dos and don’ts of exposing very young pups to a wide variety of people, especially children, men, and strangers.
Teething
How to ease your puppy’s discomfort when teething and thereby lessen the inevitable stages of puppy mouthing, nipping, and destructive chewing
Housetraining
Including proper use of the crate, playpen, wee pads, and how and when to transition from wee pads to on-the-street elimination
Inappropriate Elimination
Your puppy is not using wee pads.
Jumping Up
Start your pup early on the road to good social habits like polite greetings, both in your home and out on the street.
Book a series package or begin with a consultation and then decide how you want to proceed. Either way, I’ll help you structure a program that will work best for you and your pup.
PRE-PUPPY CONSULTATION
Looking to get a puppy but unsure about the best one for you? Matching a great dog to your own lifestyle and environment is no small feat.
There’s much to consider when adding a new member to your family — realities that will make a huge difference in your life and in that of a new pup. I want you to make the best possible choice, and I encourage you, as a potential new adopter, to consult with me before selecting a puppy.
A Pre-Puppy Consultation will give you insight and guidance about the most important information you’ll need, covering a variety of critical topics.
Recommended: One consultation session is typically all that’s needed.
Some of the Topics We’ll Cover in a Pre-Puppy Consultation
Breed
What breed or mixed breed of dog is best suited to your family and lifestyle, based upon traits like temperament and activity level?
Shopping Smart
There are thousands of items in your local pet supply shop, starting with crates, gates and pens, bowls, toys, and different types of food. Learn which ones you’ll really need before bringing your puppy home, how to choose among them, and how to best use them.
Caretaking
It’s important to decide who the point person will be for feeding, walking etc. A puppy under 4 months of age should not be in a crate for more than 4 hours. This can be a shared responsibility but it needs to be consistent. Depending on the age of your puppy, you may need to arrange for a caregiver, walker, pet sitter when you’re not home. I’ll help you prepare for how to give your pup the quality care he or she needs.
Making the Commitment
Adopting a puppy is a commitment to a relationship that makes you the caretaker for the life of that dog. Are you ready and able to take on the many responsibilities involved? On average, dogs live to 13 years of age.
And Much More!
Book a series package or begin with a consultation and then decide how you want to proceed. Either way, I’ll help you structure a program that will work best for you and your pup.
ABOUT VIRTUAL TRAINING
Virtual Training sessions are a great alternative if we can’t meet in person. Online appointments can provide a safe way to address your puppy’s training and behavior issues – but I will do training this way with you only if I think that you and your puppy will benefit in this situation.
My virtual sessions are 90 minutes long, and include a follow-up 15 minute telephone consultation. (Note that these follow up consults are valid up to 4 months after the initial consultation). I will also respond to a limited number of emails during this period.
Whether it be distance, health concerns surrounding in-person visits, or other circumstances, I respect and aim to address everyone’s needs (both yours and your animal’s).
Contact me and we can discuss virtual options together to see what might work for you.
Pricing for Puppy & Pre-Puppy Training Services
Single Animal Households*
Prices are for private training sessions at your home or office in Manhattan (or within 30 minutes travel time via public transit). For locations more than 30 minutes from Manhattan, I am available for virtual training (if appropriate). For more details, please ask.
When scheduling a series of sessions, I recommend scheduling at least two sessions per month. Longer breaks between sessions will limit effectiveness.
* Prices are for single animal households. For multi-animal households, there may be an additional charge if your other animal(s) also need basic training or help with behavioral issues (such as learning to get along with each other). In these cases, the initial session can last up to two hours. Please contact me to discuss your particular situation.
Single Sessions
Length
Cost
In-Person Session
90 minutes
$250
Virtual Sessions
(initial consult)
Includes a 15-min follow-up telephone consult (must be used within 4 months of initial session). During this time I will also respond to a limited number of emails.
90 minutes
$195
Virtual Sessions
(future virtual sessions)
30 minutes
$125
Packages
Length
Cost
3-Session Package
(use within 3 months)
90 minutes
(initial session)
60 minutes
(future sessions)
$699
4-Session Package
(use within 4 months)
90 minutes
(initial session)
60 minutes
(future sessions)
$799
5-Session Package
(use within 5 months)
90 minutes
(initial session)
60 minutes
(future sessions)
$899
6-Session Package
(use within 6 months)
90 minutes
(initial session)
60 minutes
(future sessions)
$999
Discounts
I offer discounts to seniors, veterans, and the disabled. Discounts may also be extended to those who adopted or rescued their pets. Please call or email for details.