Training & FAQ’s
At Sanctuary Farmhouse Doodles, we place immense importance on training and socializing our dogs as fundamental aspects of their development. Effective training ensures that our dogs not only learn basic commands and behaviors but also fosters a strong bond between them and their human companions. Socialization is equally vital, allowing our dogs to interact positively with different people, environments, and other animals. This comprehensive approach helps us raise well-adjusted and confident dogs, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and promoting harmonious relationships with families. Our commitment to these practices underscores our dedication to producing happy, healthy, and well-behaved pets that thrive in their new homes.
Socialization is our top priority with our puppy program!
We believe that a well socialized puppy is better equipped to handle the hustle and bustle of modern day life. The steps we take to properly socialize puppies helps to ensure a bright future for you and your new family member!
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In terms of young puppies, the primary socialization period is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli, and environments as possible safely, and without causing overstimulation shown by excessive fear, withdrawal, and/or avoidance.
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Because these first three months are when sociability outweighs fear in puppies, it is the prime time for them to adapt to new people, animals, and experiences. Furthermore, incomplete or improper socialization during this window can lead to an increased risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Behavioral problems are the number one cause of owners relinquishing their dogs to shelters and the number one cause of death in dogs under three years old,
Owners and husband-and-wife team, Michael and Lauren, have years of experience working with and training dogs. Lauren has been a professional trainer for over three years and is certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers®️ (CCPDT). Both are graduates of the Puppy Potential Program, and are practitioners of Puppy Culture. Michael runs the small boarding program out of their home. It’s a small, in-home, family-style program with structured play groups for social dogs and individual playtime for dogs that prefer human interaction. Together, they also have a dog walking venture and handcraft Biothane®️ dog gear.
Puppy Program Options
2 Week Puppy Pawsative Start: 8-10 weeks old (goes home at 10 weeks) $1000
In our two week puppy starter program we jump into socialization! We move at each puppy's own pace while we introduce 1-2 new things everyday. New surfaces, objects, locations, people, noises, fast-moving objects, challenges, and handling exercises all play a part in our socialization protocols. We also work on crate training, potty training outside, potty bells, relaxation, and manding/default behavior. Each puppy goes home with support, walking new families through the best way to maintain and build on what your puppy has learned so far.
4 Week Puppy Pawsative Plus: 8-12 weeks old (goes home at 12 weeks) $2000
Our four week program takes the foundation of the two week program, and continues building the socialization list to expose your puppy to as many new sights, sounds, and scenarios as possible in their first 12 weeks as possible, while moving at each puppy’s own comfort level. We also continue with a regular crate and potty schedule further creating reliable habits, while keeping the potty bells, relaxation, and manding/default behavior part of the puppy’s daily routine. During the additional two weeks, we begin teaching the puppies how to learn and communicate with us. Through play and rewards we teach puppies that paying attention to us humans always pays off, as does coming to us when we call, and even when we don't. In addition to attention and recall, we teach foundation obedience commands: sit, down, place, stay and leash walking at a puppy level. As with the two week program, support on how to maintain and build on what your puppy has learned is included.
Puppy Finishing Program Options:
14 Week Pawsitively Finished Puppy: 8-22 weeks (goes home at 22 weeks) $6300 no ecollar $6500 ecollar
Our Finishing programs complete the Rules of 12 Socialization Protocols, exposing puppies to 12 new and different surfaces, objects, locations, people, noises, fast-moving objects, challenges, and handling exercises by the age of 20 weeks, while keeping interactions positive and supporting puppies through each experience. This will maximize their confidence and acceptance toward new things for the rest of their lives. While we can’t guarantee potty training, puppies are as close to 100% as possible based on a routine and structure to make them as successful as possible, and go home with instructions for followthrough at home. Puppies will know all of their basic commands and will be reliable in the home with some practice once home with their family. For puppies that are ecollar trained, they will be off leash reliable outside in their own yard, and familiar surroundings. Training for the puppy’s family on how and when to use the training will be included and support is available for life.
16 Week Pawsitively Finished Plus: 8-24 weeks (goes home at 24 weeks) $7300 no ecollar $7500 ecollar
Our Pawsitively Plus program includes everything that’s covered in the 14 week program, and adds the distractions of public places! Two additional weeks filled with field trips to parks, stores and city streets. We’ll go shopping, hiking, to the lake, and walking in open fields. These outings will ensure that your pup is as reliable as possible in any situation before they go to their forever home.
MEET LAUREN AND MICHAEL
Michael and Lauren also compete in dog sports and conformation with their personal dogs and have put several titles on their Airedale Terriers and Dalmatians. They live in New Market, Tennessee, with their seven dogs: three Weimaraners: Willow, Violet and Mumford; two Dalmatians: Ivy and Bria; and two Airedale Terriers, Oliver and Blink. They also have two cats, Queenie and Newt.