Foundations Puppy Training
A special boarding and training experience in a cozy home setting, like a puppy preschool, where we focus on building a healthy bond with humans and giving your puppy a confident start.
Training starts at 7+ weeks old.
at a time ·At Josh & Lil's home
Depending on your puppy’s needs.
You’ll get regular photos, videos, and notes, plus the chance to chat about your puppy’s progress.
Buckeye Goldens Puppy Foundations: Your Puppy’s First Steps
Hello! I’m Lillian from Buckeye Golden Retrievers, and I’m thrilled to welcome you and your new puppy to our Puppy Foundations program—a special boarding and training experience in a cozy home setting where we focus on building a healthy bond with humans. Congratulations on your furry addition!
At Buckeye, my goal is to set you and your puppy up for success during these precious early weeks. This program is like a puppy preschool, offering the essentials to ease the challenges of puppyhood and lay a strong foundation for your journey together. It’s not about creating a perfectly trained puppy in a short time—full crate training, house training, or sleeping through the night depends on your consistency at home, your puppy’s developmental stage, and their unique personality. I focus on giving your puppy a confident start.
I’ll keep you in the loop with regular updates, including pictures and videos, and I’m always here to answer your questions and share what I’m noticing about your puppy’s progress.
“It's not about creating a perfectly trained puppy in a short time. I focus on giving your puppy a confident start.”
What We Offer
Here’s what your puppy will experience in our program:
Healthy Attachment
I work on building a secure bond with your puppy, helping them feel safe and confident with humans. For the first 3–4 days after picking them up from the breeder, I focus on earning their trust, reading their body language, and adjusting to their unique needs. A secure bond means a happy, confident dog ready for future training.
Positive Reinforcement
We reward good behaviors with treats, praise, and play, never punishing mistakes. Potty successes and moments of confidence are celebrated, and we handle messes calmly. Patience is key—each puppy progresses at their own pace.
Name Recognition
I teach your puppy their name with a cheerful tone, rewarding them when they respond with a wag or a glance.
Gentle Play
Puppies love to explore with their mouths, so I redirect nipping to toys and use frozen puzzles or lick mats to soothe teething. We also work on keeping all four paws on the ground, only engaging when they’re calm or inviting them to sit on my lap.
House Training
We start a consistent potty schedule, watching closely and taking frequent outdoor trips to build good habits.
Leash Walking
I gently introduce your puppy to a harness and leash, helping them get comfortable with light pressure.
Crate Training
Crates can be tough at first, but they provide a safe space for naps or observing busy moments like mealtimes. I introduce crate time gradually, keeping it to about 2 hours for two-month-olds.
Car Rides
They’ll also have short car rides to ease them into new experiences.
Socialization
I expose your puppy to a variety of people, friendly adult Goldens, household noises (like appliances or music), and environments in a safe way. The 3–16-week window is prime for socialization, and I tailor each experience to your puppy’s comfort level, helping them build confidence.
Lengths & pricing
Same Foundations program at every length. All three packages follow the same program. Choose the length that fits your puppy.
Enroll: Pay for training in our client portal after placing your deposit
Program Details
When can training start?
Training starts at 7+ weeks old.
What does the 4-week program add?
The 4-week program includes an additional vet visit and the second vaccination dose.
When does my puppy come home?
The length of the training program sets the go-home date.
Is there a late-pickup fee?
Puppies in training are exempt from the $50/day late-pickup fee.
Tips for Success at Home
Your puppy’s journey doesn’t stop when they come home! Here are some tips to keep the momentum going:
- Keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes) to hold their attention.
- End every session on a high note, celebrating even small wins.
- Use high-value treats sparingly for big achievements.
- Train when your puppy is alert, not tired or overexcited, to avoid nipping or jumping.
- Consider a positive reinforcement-based puppy class to continue socialization and connect with other puppy parents.
- If you hit a roadblock, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trainer.
A Lifelong Adventure
Ready to give your puppy their best start? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more. If you’re ready to enroll, you can pay for training in our client portal after placing your deposit. Thinking about training for service and therapy work later on? We can help you choose the right puppy. I can’t wait to help your puppy shine!