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Training Starts Before They Leave Our Arms
A confident, well-mannered dog starts with purposeful training from day one.
The Building Blocks of Early Learning
Before they ever leave our arms, our puppies are already learning. From about 3 weeks on, we introduce gentle, age-appropriate training that prepares each pup for a smoother transition home. These aren’t tricks for show — they’re building blocks for confidence, communication, and adaptability.
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Here’s what our puppies begin learning during their time with us:​
Crate Introduction
We begin crate training early, helping puppies see it as a calm and positive place. Short supervised sessions in the crate teach them independence and prepare them for sleeping alone.
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Potty Area Training
We use grass pellets in a designated litter box to mimic the scent and feel of outdoor grass. Puppies learn to associate this area with potty time — building habits that carry over to outdoor potty training at home.
Manding and Default Sit
Puppies are taught to sit automatically to ask for attention — instead of jumping or barking. This polite “default behavior” becomes a lifelong skill and can evolve into more advanced commands (like shake) for eager learners.
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Leash and Collar Exposure
We introduce collars and harnesses as early as 4–5 weeks, gradually adding short leash sessions. This helps minimize the “leash drama” many puppies face and creates positive associations from the start.
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Name Recognition
If a family has chosen a name, we’ll begin using it during training and daily interactions. This early repetition gives your puppy a head start on learning who they are and how to respond to their people.
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Grooming Desensitization
From baths and brushing to nail trims and handling, we gently acclimate puppies to being cared for. These early experiences reduce fear and resistance during grooming later in life.
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Early Recall
Using a cheerful tone and lots of praise, we start teaching a basic recall cue. Puppies learn that coming when called leads to great things — laying the groundwork for safe off-leash play and reliable responsiveness.
Our Socialization Plan
The world is full of new sights, sounds, and experiences — and early exposure can make all the difference. Between 3 and 12 weeks, puppies go through a critical socialization window. Done right, we can help prevent fearfulness and reactivity down the line.
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From the moment they begin exploring, our puppies encounter a wide variety of sounds, sights, surfaces, and new experiences that help them build trust, confidence, and curiosity.
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This includes supervised handling by adults and children, age-appropriate obstacles and toys, time spent in different environments, and exposure to common household sounds like vacuuming, cooking, and TV noise. We also play a range of musical genres and eras — each litter always seems to have a favorite!
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Rather than overwhelming, this varied exposure teaches puppies that novelty isn’t scary — it’s just part of life. These early experiences lay the groundwork for dogs who are eager to explore, quick to recover from surprises, and resilient in new settings.