Puppy Foundations: Start Them Young & Right

The journey with Hope began right when she was a tiny pup. Early training helps shape good habits. Here we are working on basic focus and engagement indoors.

This is 2.5-month-old toy poodle Copper's first time outdoors! I'm guiding him through "surface socialization," letting him get used to new textures like grass and pavement in a positive way.

Here I am with Dodo the Shih Tzu, using a technique called luring to teach him to follow my hand. This is a foundational skill that makes teaching other commands much easier.

Meet Mia, a sweet Cocker Spaniel puppy, learning hand targeting. This simple exercise is great for getting a puppy's attention and can be used for recalls and navigating them away from distractions.

A crate should be a safe and happy den, not a punishment. Here's Luna the Golden Retriever learning to love her playpen through positive association games. This is key for house training and preventing separation anxiety.

Look at that happy recall! Theo the Golden Retriever puppy is learning that coming back to his hooman is the best thing ever. We make it a super fun game to build a reliable recall.

Even gentle giants like Odin the St. Bernard need to learn their manners early on. We're working on basic obedience like sit and down to prevent jumping and ensure he grows into a well-behaved big boi.

This is Twix, a 3-month-old toy poodle, learning the basics through one of my virtual training sessions. Even small dogs benefit from knowing the rules for a happy, harmonious life with their family.

Long leash fun with Zach the Golden Retriever puppy! A long line gives a pup a sense of freedom while keeping them safe, and it's the perfect tool for practicing recall in an open space.