C.A.R.E. Puppy Program

Support focused on a puppy’s welfare

When “behavior problems” arise with our family dogs, it’s not a matter of obedience, or that they simply just need more “training”. Rather, these “problems” are actually an expression of a dog’s complex needs, and often involve ‘normal’ canine-specific behaviors. These tend to occur in contexts we humans may understandably find “undesirable”, challenging and frustrating. This is especially the case with puppies!

Our C.A.R.E. Puppy Program™️ is focused on the individual puppy’s well-being and their needs - from the sensitive period of socialization (3-12 weeks), through their juvenile stage (3-6 months), and into the start of adolescence. We seek to first understand the puppy’s unique needs, or L.E.G.S.® (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self). We then consider how that all intersects with the family, so we can provide strategies to support the puppy’s needs and welfare. Learn more below…

Step 1: Puppy Consult

This is the starting point, where we provide individualized recommendations to support the puppy and family. This is a proactive approach, so we recommend starting your puppy at 8-10 weeks of age. Eligibility: puppies up to 6 months of age.

What’s included:

• Assessment of your puppy's history and L.E.G.S.®

• Puppy Plan- prevention, provisions and enrichment, training life skills; instruction and feedback; handouts, text and video support; and an emailed report to you and your primary veterinarian.

Cost: $185 per 90-minute consult

A travel fee may apply for in-home puppy consults and packages; see scheduling page for more details.

Book Now

Step 2: Six Session Puppy Package

With the completion of a puppy consult, you can elect for a Six Session Puppy Package to support your puppy’s needs and welfare throughout their developmental. Sessions are offered as in-home, scheduled every 1-2 weeks. We recommend scheduling the first package session immediately following your puppy consult.

What’s included:

  • Positive socialization adventures, social bonding for your puppy

  • Provisions for healthy natural behaviors in nature, social/play opportunities with other puppies

  • Teaching life skills (recall, calm settle, loose leash walking) in new environments, supporting breed-specific needs

  • Environmental management, building predictable patterns in the home

  • Strategies for grooming/vet visits, basket muzzle training

  • Support for your puppy’s transition into juvenile stage, then adolescence

  • “Hands on” Instruction and feedback, handouts, and text and video support— helping humans with the “puppy woes”!

Cost: $675 for six one-hour puppy sessions

Kind Words

“Finding Brian was a Godsend. He helped us understand the psychology behind the behaviors we were experiencing with Lucy, our bernedoodle puppy. He provided us with tips and resources to help us manage the undesirable behaviors, meet Lucy’s needs, and ultimately get the behaviors that we desired. His focus on having us build a positive relationship with Lucy will benefit us throughout her lifetime! We highly recommend Brian!"

—Toni, Jay, and Lucy