Puppy Preparatory
Master's Program

​The Puppy Preparatory Master's Program is a two-phase Board & Train program designed to provide puppies with foundational training during their early months and to address new challenges that arise as they grow older. This unique structure ensures your puppy not only starts strong but stays on track for long-term success. Our program offers a flexible, staggered approach, allowing puppies to receive tailored training at critical stages in their development.
 

Phase 1: Early Puppy Training (10-12 Weeks Old)

Duration: 2 to 4 Weeks
During the first phase, your puppy will focus on building essential skills that create a strong foundation for good behavior.

• Potty Training: Establishing consistent habits for indoor and outdoor settings.

• Crate Training: Introducing the crate as a safe and comfortable space.

• Play Biting: Managing play biting and encouraging appropriate chewing behaviors.

• Basic Commands: Learning "sit," "down," "stay," "come," and other foundational commands.

• Leash Training: Initial steps to comfortable, calm walking on a leash.

• Impulse Control: Introducing skills to help your puppy manage excitement and self-control.
   

Phase 2: Advanced Training (6-9 Months Old)

Duration: 2 to 4 Weeks
As puppies grow, new behaviors and challenges can arise. The second phase focuses on reinforcing good behavior and tackling any emerging issues.

• Impulse Control: Building on early lessons to strengthen self-control around distractions.

• Distraction Work: Training in busy environments to ensure your dog can remain focused.

• Leash Training in Public: Mastering leash skills in real-world situations.

• Addressing New Behaviors: Any problem areas that may have developed since Phase 1, such as jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash.
   

Between Phases: Virtual Support 

To ensure consistency, we offer virtual training sessions between the two Board & Train phases. These sessions provide guidance on maintaining progress and troubleshooting any issues that come up at home.
 

Optional Add-On: Day School Package

For those local to Charlotte, we also offer the option of enhancing the program by adding a Day School package that can be used before and after the Board & Train phases. This package includes day training sessions designed to maintain consistency and reinforce skills during their critical development months.
We recommend one to two Day School sessions per week between Board & Train phases and one Day School session per week for the first month after the completion of the second Board & Train phase.  
 

Why Choose the Master's Program?

Our staggered training approach aligns with your puppy’s developmental needs, ensuring that they receive the right training at the right time. By splitting the training into two stages, we are able to provide focused support when it matters most, setting your puppy up for success both in the short and long term. This program also comes with enhanced virtual support. Not only is virtual support offered between Board & Train phases but it is also offered from the time of enrollment through six months after the completion of the program. ​