Training schedule and outline: The purpose of the training outline is to help our clients better understand what their puppy is learning and why each phase is important. 

*Example videos of training / cues are highlighted in Tan color. Click on the words to see the videos.

Newborn - One month old:
Starting on Day 3, going till Day 16, performed once a day, the pups will start  Early Neurological Stimulation

The US Military developed this method, designed to improve the performance of future military working dogs, according to the Breeding Better Dogs program developed by Dr. Carmen Battaglia, esteemed breeder, judge, seminar presenter, and AKC board member.

ENS requires handling the puppies one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in order of preference, the handler starts with one pup and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup.

 1 .Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds. 

2. Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.

3. Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.

4. Supine position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.

5.. Thermal stimulation - use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds. 

At two weeks old, the litter's eyes and ears are opening, and they are becoming more mobile. This is also when the litter will have their nails clipped for the first time.

Week 3 -4: Your pup is 3-4 weeks old and is starting to eat blended puppy food, which begins the weaning process from their mother. This is when we introduce the " Food / Recall Whistle," which becomes our recall whistle as the puppies get older.
  What is the “recall /food " whistle?
The “food whistle” is a training tool that pairs a distinct whistle sound with positive reinforcement to establish a reliable recall command.   

Why do we do it? Teaching a puppy the whistle at that age is particularly effective because puppies at this age have heightened auditory perception and are highly receptive to forming associations. Early training helps solidify the connection between the whistle and the reward, creating a deeply ingrained response. This early conditioning ensures the puppy will respond promptly to the whistle, even in distracting environments, enhancing their safety and control as they grow.

Two Months Old

Five - six weeks old :Your pup is enjoying exploring the reception room with littermates. Going out on short outdoor walks, weather depending, exploring mud, puddles, snow, and grass.   We continue to work on Recall Whistle and praise for eye contact.

This age is also when we lightly introduce Sit lessons

We start introducing the “sit” cue at roughly 6-7 weeks of age in a familiar, low-distraction area.

We do this by using food to lure them back into a sitting position and using our clickers to mark the desired action. With enough consistent repetition, our puppies start to have this down within 3 to 4 training sessions. We then maintain this by cueing them to sit whenever we stop walking, when they come in or out of doors, and before they eat.

The “sit” command is the most important command. It's the gateway to all of the other commands. It teaches self-control and focus.

7-8 weeks old:  At eight weeks old, your pup is now old enough for weekend vacations. Please contact Sheryl to schedule your first visit.
Your pup is continuing to work on sit lessons. We are also introducing eye contact and settling. 

Why is it important?  Eye contact while working with a dog is crucial because that’s how you connect and communicate. Just like with people, it shows that they’re engaged and paying attention to you. If your dog isn't looking at you, they're probably not listening to you. They’re not communicating with you. Teaching them to look to you for direction makes the learning process much easier and can be important for your dog's safety in emergency situations. It also teaches them how to settle and be ready for their next command.

How do you teach and maintain that? The process of teaching eye contact is simple and a rather fun exercise that can be maintained at all life stages. We start this after they learn the “sit” command. Once they know sit, we start clicking when they look at us. We use a verbal “Look” command, and then when we get the desired result, we click and then reward them for the desired behavior.

Your pup is learning intro to down. We start teaching the “down” command at roughly 8-9 weeks of age, after the pup has mastered the sit command. We do this by using treats to lure them into a down position and using our clickers to mark the desired action. With consistent repetition, our puppies develop this skill set within 3 to 4 training sessions. We maintain this by having them practice the skill set in everyday training. The Down command is important because it teaches the settle cue. 

Your pup is also working on Cup Drills. Cup drills are awesome for building precision, confidence, and focus. This drill involves placing treats on top of a cup or bucket, then letting your puppy go get them. Once they get the treats, we recall them back to us and reward them with a little more treats and lots of pets. This also helps teach the concept of lining by encouraging them to focus on a specific target in a straight line, improving their ability to follow directions and stay on course during retrieves.

Where can you successfully cue for this skill set?  In a known, low-distraction environment with high-value rewards

Your pup is now starting group walks in the fields and woods.

 Why are group walks so important? Group walks are incredibly important for your puppy’s growth.
They're not just fun; they're vital to development. Introducing the ‘quartering whistle’ while continuously switching directions during your walk lays a solid foundation for their off-leash recall. This teaches pups to respond and stay connected, even when distracted. Plus, group walks are great for socializing. Puppies learn how to interact with other dogs, pick up social cues, and develop good manners in a pack setting at a young age. 

During this time, we will also introduce gunfire during group walks to help desensitize puppies to loud noises in a controlled environment.
Perks include building confidence, socialization with other dogs, and acclimation to distractions, which is crucial for developing well-adjusted, steady dogs for the field, home, and city lifestyle.

Puppies associate loud sounds with positive experiences, such as being with their pack while exploring. They are typically more confident in group settings. This helps prevent fear responses and ensures they remain focused and calm during hunts and real-world experiences.

Three Months Old:
In the first and second months of your puppy's life, we introduced the concepts of recall / here,  Sit and look.
These three skill sets are the foundation of everything your puppy will learn.
Each month, your puppy will learn new skills while we continue to shape and perfect the cues they learned the previous month. In addition to working on sit, look, and recall lessons this month, your puppy will also learn about " Crate,"  Down " Place," and having fun retrieving appropriate toys.

Head Start Puppy Foundation:

Your pup is learning intro to down. We started teaching the command at roughly 8-9 weeks of age, after the pup had mastered the sit command. We do this by using treats to lure them into a down position and using our clickers to mark the desired action. With consistent repetition, our puppies develop this skill set within 3 to 4 training sessions. We maintain this by having them practice the skill set in everyday training. The Down command is important because it teaches the settle cue. 

Your pup is working on Intro to Crate. At this age, they are crated and focused more on settling into the crate than on the command itself. Later on, we will come back and teach the command. 

What is "crate"? This is the concept of keeping a small area clean for a set period. 

Why is crate important? It provides security and comfort for your pup, helps with house training, and staying clean.

The “Crate” command is crucial for dogs because it creates a designated, safe, and comfortable spot that promotes calm, controlled behavior. Learning to be calm and quiet in the crate also supports recovery after spaying or neutering. 

Your pup is working on leash drags. Leash drags are great for getting a puppy used to the feeling of a leash without any pressure or any negative connotations to a human.
It's a way to introduce them to the idea of being tethered/connected to something while having fun with their littermates.
This helps them become more comfortable and more confident in their future training sessions. 

Leash drags and being comfortable on a leash are the first building blocks for teaching "Settle."
Teaching a puppy to tether and settle is the next piece and equally important because it builds patience and independence and supports impulse control. It helps prevent future unwanted behaviors and encourages them to self-settle. It improves their focus and helps them think before acting.  Calm, Quiet, and Confident gets the treat...

 Your pup is going on field trips to parks, pet-friendly stores, Etc.  Socialization and exposure are critical for a puppy’s development, as they shape its behavior and temperament.
During the sensitive period of development, typically up to 16 weeks of age, puppies are highly receptive to new experiences. Positive interactions with various people, animals, and environments help them develop into well-adjusted adults.
Early exposure ensures that puppies learn to navigate the world confidently and safely, contributing to their overall well-being.

During this month, your pup is also getting fun retrieves. What they are and why they’re important?

Fun retrieves are all about making fetching enjoyable for the pup, which is important for their development. They help build confidence, teach them to hold and return items, and strengthen the human-dog bond.

For field dogs, fun retrieves with bird wings are important because they lay the foundation for more formal training later.  

When doing these with a young dog, you use two toys for the retrieves, throw the toy behind you, and stay in motion by walking away.
This encourages the pup to grab the toy (retrieve), return to you (here), and, because you have a "new cool" toy, drop the toy they have to get the new one.
By using two toys, you can quickly change their focus and avoid the ‘keep away’ game that they sometimes tend to play. This helps build a correct foundation for them at a young age. 

When and where can you successfully cue for these skill sets?  Working in known areas where the pup has been successful and in low-distraction environments is key at this age. Try to " cue" only when the odds of the pup making the right choice are high.

Four Months Old
Puppy Foundation intro to Companion

  Your pup is starting intro to obedience.
We start with short walks in low distraction areas and focus on core commands: sit, heel, here. We work on getting the pup to walk on the left side and sit when we stop walking.

Your pup is also working on Intro to place.

What is place? Place is the concept of going to a specific area like a hammock, or dog bed and settling.
Why is place important? The “place” command is crucial for dogs because it creates a designated, comfortable spot that promotes calm, controlled behavior. It serves as an essential training tool for managing impulsivity, such as begging or jumping, and provides mental stimulation that helps dogs learn to settle and relax in a busy environment.

 Your pup is working on Crate with the command “Crate.” When given the command, your pup will go into the crate. The handler will mark the action with their clicker and a treat. Your pup will then settle until told to come out. 

As well as Continuing Obedience lessons here, heel, and sit. 

FIve Months Old : Companion Program 

Your pup is working on down. They were taught Intro to down around 8-9 weeks. Now they are working on going down when given the command and settling in a down position. We also add Down with eye contact here which is just like sit with eye contact. The pup is in a down position and given the command “look” the pup will direct their full eye contact to the handler.

Your pup is going out on individual walks in the fields and woods. Sharpening up their off-leash recall.
What is an off-leash recall? Off-leash recall is the training process of getting a dog to immediately return to you when called, even with distractions, ensuring safety and allowing freedom.
How do you teach and maintain this skillset? It relies on building a consistent, positive, and high-value reward association with a specific cue (e.g, “here” or a whistle), starting in distraction-free areas with a leash or long line to ensure success, allowing them to learn the command without the option to ignore it. Use high-value treats the dog only receives during recall to make returning more rewarding than staying away. Consistency is crucial, use the same command or whistle every time to avoid confusion. Gradually increasing distance and complexity over time. Add release instead of ending the fun every time you call your dog, occasionally recall, treat, and then release them back to play.

 Your pup is working on home etiquette lessons.
What is home etiquette and why is it important? Home etiquette focuses on building polite daily habits through consistency, positive reinforcement, and structure to ensure a calm, well-behaved pet indoors. Pups are taught door manners they sit before entering and exciting through a door. Pups are also taught to settle either on a dog bed or in a crate. This is crucial for working from home or managing high-energy behavior. We work on calm greetings, the dog sits when visitors arrive. We also expose them to vacuums, brooms, cupboards shutting, TV sounds, Etc. Home etiquette is very important as you want your companion to respect your home and their new home. Home etiquette ensures calm, respectful behaviors in the home. 

Six Months Old : The Companion Program 

Since four weeks of age your pup has been consistently exposed to each piece of training needed to become a Companion.  He or she has learned the foundation of obedience through play and rewards, cued for success and we are now in the final thirty days of the Companion program, which consists of reviewing here, heel, sit, sit/stay, place, look, Crate, off-leash recall, and going on age-appropriate longer field trips to " proof" these skill sets

Your pup is working on finalizing the following skill sets:

Sit: "Auto Sit" sits automatically when the handler stops walking. "Cued sit." Sits when cued either with a command "sit" or "sstt" or a hand gesture "hand out in front of you, pointing with your pointer finger."

Heel: The pup walks right at your thigh on your left side, watching your leg. How to maintain heel?  You maintain heel by making sure your pup does not lose eye contact with your leg, and that your pup does not exceed more than 2 inches in front of your thigh.

Here: Come back to you when you say "here" or use the recall whistle.

Place: When given the command "place" your pup will go to a specific spot: their dog bed, a raised dog bed, or maybe even their crate. While they are on place they can sit or lie down or even chew on a toy, but they need to be calm, and they cannot get off until you release them. This rolls into sit/stay: the pup stays in a specific spot even with distractions around them. Now that we are at the end of the program, we demonstrate these skill sets in more high-distraction areas such as pet-friendly stores, parks, and in town. 

Look: We have focused on eye contact and the "Look" command since your pup could sit. With the luring of our hands and treats. Now we take away those motions and work on giving the command "Look." Once the pup makes eye contact and holds it with the handler, then they are praised. How to maintain the skill set? You can maintain this skill set by asking your dog to "Look" at you in a calm, low-distraction area when they are not playing and then giving them a treat when they make eye contact. 

Crate: Going into the crate calmly when given the command "Crate," settling in the crate for an allotted amount of time, and keeping the crate clean. How to maintain the skill set? To maintain this skill set, you will want to continue to use the crate daily. 

Your pup is going out on individual walks in the fields and woods.  We use these walks to review our off-leash recall and whistle cues.
What is an off-leash recall? Off-leash recall is the training process of getting a dog to immediately return to you when called, even with distractions, ensuring safety and allowing freedom. 

How do you teach and maintain this skillset? It relies on building a consistent, positive, and high-value reward association with a specific cue (e.g, “here” or a whistle), starting in distraction-free areas with a leash or long line to ensure success, allowing them to learn the command without the option to ignore it. Use high-value treats the dog only receives during recall to make returning more rewarding than staying away. Consistency is crucial, use the same command or whistle every time to avoid confusion. Gradually increasing distance and complexity over time. Add release instead of ending the fun every time you call your dog, occasionally recall, treat, and then release them back to play. 

Your pup is working on home etiquette lessons. 

What is home etiquette and why is it important?

Home etiquette focuses on building polite daily habits through consistency, positive reinforcement, and structure to ensure a calm, well-behaved pet indoors. Pups are taught door manners; they sit before entering and exiting through a door. Pups are also taught to settle either on a dog bed or in a crate. This is crucial for working from home or managing high-energy behavior. We work on calm greetings, the dog sits when visitors arrive. We also expose them to vacuums, brooms, cupboards shutting, TV sounds, Etc. Home etiquette is very important as you want your companion to respect your home and their new home. Home etiquette ensures calm, respectful behaviors in the home. 

How to maintain home etiquette? Home etiquette needs to be clear and followed from the very beginning so your pup knows how to behave in your home. If you want to allow them on the furniture with you, this will be a learned, continued behavior. If you don't want them on the furniture, don't allow it at all. If you want them calm when guests arrive and visit, put your pup on place before the guests enter. Let your pup observe guests and new things from the comfort of a place before allowing anyone to give attention to your pup. We have instilled these skill sets in your pup, but it is important for you to reinforce them so your pup respects your home.

At the end of this program, your companion is heading home in the last week of the month or continuing on to the Adv. Companion program.

Seven to Eight Months old:

The Advanced Companion Program

Your pup is working on an introduction to off-leash heel. 

What is off-leash heel?  Off-leash heeling is when your dog is heeling on the left side, watching your leg without a leash. 

Why is off-leash Important?  Ensures their safety during unexpected scenarios, such as a dropped leash or open door, while providing essential mental stimulation and physical exercise. 

How do we teach it and maintain it? We begin teaching the concept of off-leash heel during our intro to obedience, when the pups are around 3 to 4 months old.

With our treat bags on our left hip, we reward pups for walking on the left side at heel and watching our leg. This builds the foundation for off-leash work.
The most important part of off-leash heel is that the dog watches your leg. As they mature and understand “here,” “heel,” and “sit,” we start draping the leash over our shoulder, keeping our hands free, to begin off-leash heel training. After a few lessons, we drop the leash and let the dog drag it while remaining in heel position. After practicing this for several lessons, we remove the leash entirely, and the dog walks at heel off-leash.

Where can you successfully cue for this skillset? Once the skill set is learned and understood by the dog, you can begin to cue in low-distracted areas, such as hiking trails, open fields, woods, and private land.  After repeated and prolonged success in a low-distraction environment, you can start adding distractions and challenges to the training. 

 Your pup is working on extended Down and Down/stays. This is when your dog completely understands the skill set, and it can now perform the skill in public places and for longer durations. Your dog is doing down /stays in home depot, parks, beaches, and in the office.