How We Start Puppies and Training Information

**Remember with large dog breeds - They do not stay small for long!**

There are many training methods available to help continue your dog training journey. With a large breed dog, you will definitely want to start young or you will find yourself trying to control a wild 50-60 lb puppy. Methods we use while puppies are here are below. We have also put together a few training tips available to download:

Puppy Training Tips Flyer

• Exposure - One of the most basic methods of starting puppies is supervised exposure to many different stimuli. Puppies are handled by adults and children of various ages. They are also directly in contact with cats and other dogs. The puppies are kept both indoors and outdoors. They also get to go on car rides, and we start with simple leash training around 6-7 weeks of age.
• Deep Voices - We use different inflections of voice around the puppies to desensitize them to both deep and higher voices. This is training that is very important for new owners to continue, but we attempt to expose puppies while they are still with us.
• Behavior Training - We start age appropriate behavior training as early as 4 weeks of age. Most training at this age is reactive, but is still important. We do not allow puppies to jump up on people. While super cute at 4 weeks, they could really hurt someone at 1 year and 120 lbs. We do not allow puppies to bite at our hands or other extremities. We do not allow puppies to bark or growl at people. Puppies as young as 4 weeks old can be taught to "Sit". We start teaching, "Come!" but most puppies will come to you naturally at a young age. We feel it helps them to hear the command, though, and will make it easier to learn in the future.
• Water training - We do try to expose the puppies to water and swimming IF it is warm enough and they are old enough. Some puppies take to it right away, others aren't as interested. We do make a note of this on each puppy's page if and when we do water desensitizing.
• Crate Training - We are happy to start acclimating your puppy to a crate at a young age. Please let us know if this is something you would like to have done. We do this for every puppy who is going on a plane.
• Housebreaking - This is one part of training that does take some time on the part of the new owner. A puppy's body simply needs to be able to control its bodily functions before true housebreaking can occur. But as breeders, we do take steps to start teaching the puppies that there are places to go potty and places not to.

We are always happy to answer questions related to training both before and after your new puppy goes home with you!