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Board & Train
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Pet Resort
We are pleased to announce Puget Sound Doodles Pet Resort is now offering services! Located in Bellingham, Washington our resort is a six thousand square foot facility that rests upon a beautiful five acre parcel. Services currently offered include grooming, day care, puppy obedience training, and overnight boarding (puppies welcome). Please visit the Pet Resort page for more information or contact us for reservations: 425-389-5598.
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Kickstart Puppy Boarding & Training
Adopting a new puppy is a wonderful experience but the training process can sometimes be challenging. Let us do the work for you! With our Kickstart puppy boarding and training program we can help prepare your puppy for a smoother transition into your home and spare you the hardship of the early weeks and months. Our puppy training program includes: crate training, leash training, indoor or outdoor house training, socialization (to include meeting new people and pets, riding in the car, and shopping), routine training, sleep training, alone training, and obedience training. Click the shop now button learn more about our training programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I train my puppy?
You will want to start training your puppy immediately. Establishing expectations and a daily routine will ultimately result in success.
2. Should I crate train my puppy?
Yes! Dogs are den animals and when used properly your puppy will associate their crate with positive feelings and view it as a safe and comfortable place they can call there own.
3. How long does it take to train my puppy?
Your puppy will learn new skills immediately That being said it will take six to twelve months to train your puppy.
4. How often should I walk my puppy?
Puppies do not yet have control of their bladders and bowels and therefore require walking every hour.
5. Should I discipline my puppy if it eliminates in the house or crate?
No! Remember they can't help it. They do not yet have good bladder and bowel control and only time will help with this.
6. Should I give my dog treats for desired behaviors?
Yes! Positive praise and treats will increase the likelihood your puppy will repeat the desire behavior.
You will want to start training your puppy immediately. Establishing expectations and a daily routine will ultimately result in success.
2. Should I crate train my puppy?
Yes! Dogs are den animals and when used properly your puppy will associate their crate with positive feelings and view it as a safe and comfortable place they can call there own.
3. How long does it take to train my puppy?
Your puppy will learn new skills immediately That being said it will take six to twelve months to train your puppy.
4. How often should I walk my puppy?
Puppies do not yet have control of their bladders and bowels and therefore require walking every hour.
5. Should I discipline my puppy if it eliminates in the house or crate?
No! Remember they can't help it. They do not yet have good bladder and bowel control and only time will help with this.
6. Should I give my dog treats for desired behaviors?
Yes! Positive praise and treats will increase the likelihood your puppy will repeat the desire behavior.
Crate Training
We humans have a tendency to view our dogs experiences through our own eyes but we must remember that dogs do not always experience the world as we do. Dogs are naturally den animals and so they do not view their crates as captivity or punishment. Rather when used properly your dog will view their crate as a safe and calm place they can call their own. We all want a well trained dog that does not tear up the house and who uses the bathroom outside and crate training can help realize these goals. Here are some crate training tips.
1. Choose a crate. We recommend a crate that is not too big for your puppy. That being said, you will also want to consider your puppies adult size and purchase for the future so you aren't having to purchase multiple crates over time. Buy something that will accommodate your puppies adult size or something with a divider that will allow for the crate to become larger as your puppy grows.
2. Establish a positive mindset toward the crate. Start by placing your puppy inside the crate when he or she is calm so they can view it as a place of rest. If you put your puppy in when they are active or playing they will simply want to come out and they will feel discontent.
3. Use positive reinforcement. Praise your puppy and give a treat when he/she enters the crate. Proving them something pleasurable to do inside the crate, such as giving them a chew bone or kong filled with peanut butter, can also help build a strong positive association with the crate.
4. Play games with the crate and allow your puppy to enter and exit on their own. Hiding treats inside the crate is a great game.
5. Monitor the time and remember to walk your dog. Start by using the crate in short increments of time and build up as your puppy grows. Remember that puppies have limited control of their bladders and bowels and so leaving them in the crate for too long will most likely result in a messy crate.
6. Think about safety. Insure your puppy does not have a collar or leash on and all treats given should be safe --meaning they can't tear then apart and choke on them.
7. Stay consistent and be patient. It can take up to six months to crate train your puppy. Hang in there and don't give up. Success will come.
Cool tip: Plastic airline shipping crates are especially nice because they are darker then wire crates and create a cave like feel for your puppy. They are also easy to sanitize and rinse out because they are plastic. We further recommend using bath towels or bath rugs (without the rubber backing) until your puppy is trained because they too clean easily and are not very expensive. Wait until your puppy is potty trained and done teething to invest in a good dog bed.
1. Choose a crate. We recommend a crate that is not too big for your puppy. That being said, you will also want to consider your puppies adult size and purchase for the future so you aren't having to purchase multiple crates over time. Buy something that will accommodate your puppies adult size or something with a divider that will allow for the crate to become larger as your puppy grows.
2. Establish a positive mindset toward the crate. Start by placing your puppy inside the crate when he or she is calm so they can view it as a place of rest. If you put your puppy in when they are active or playing they will simply want to come out and they will feel discontent.
3. Use positive reinforcement. Praise your puppy and give a treat when he/she enters the crate. Proving them something pleasurable to do inside the crate, such as giving them a chew bone or kong filled with peanut butter, can also help build a strong positive association with the crate.
4. Play games with the crate and allow your puppy to enter and exit on their own. Hiding treats inside the crate is a great game.
5. Monitor the time and remember to walk your dog. Start by using the crate in short increments of time and build up as your puppy grows. Remember that puppies have limited control of their bladders and bowels and so leaving them in the crate for too long will most likely result in a messy crate.
6. Think about safety. Insure your puppy does not have a collar or leash on and all treats given should be safe --meaning they can't tear then apart and choke on them.
7. Stay consistent and be patient. It can take up to six months to crate train your puppy. Hang in there and don't give up. Success will come.
Cool tip: Plastic airline shipping crates are especially nice because they are darker then wire crates and create a cave like feel for your puppy. They are also easy to sanitize and rinse out because they are plastic. We further recommend using bath towels or bath rugs (without the rubber backing) until your puppy is trained because they too clean easily and are not very expensive. Wait until your puppy is potty trained and done teething to invest in a good dog bed.
House Training
House training is one of the most important skills your puppy will learn. Based on circumstance you will need to first decide what kind of training your puppy will require. Meaning, many training programs center on teaching a puppy to go outside when nature calls but there are some circumstances, city dogs living in apartments for example, when using an indoor dog potty makes better sense. Our Kickstart Puppy Training is tailored to fit your needs and we are prepared to train for either outdoor or indoor house training. Here are some tips for house training.
Indoor Puppy Potty Training
1. Select an area that is easy to clean and disinfect such as a tile floor, kitchen floor, laundry room, or bathroom.
2. Select the kind of potty you want to use --potty pads or a commercial dog potty. FYI there are some really nice looking indoor options. Just google dog potty to see them. If saving money is a consideration you can also use an old shower curtain to cover the floor and place newspapers onto of it! You do not need to spend a ton of money on a fancy indoor potty.
3. Keep the area clean. Puppies are especially prone to diarrhea due to their underdeveloped immune systems and keeping their area clean and disinfected can help insure they have health stool.
4. Praise your puppy when he/she uses the potty! Treats can help too!
5. Be patient. Accidents will happen. Do not yell or scold your puppy. If an accident happens quickly take your puppy to the potty area and praise him/her for going on the potty. Positive reinforcement is the secret here.
6. Hang in there. Puppies have very small bladders and limited control but this will improve as they grow and become older. As the puppy develops stronger bladder control he/she will be better equipped to navigate public spaces such as apartment buildings and elevators and taking your puppy outside will become easier.
7. REMEMBER if you are using an indoor potty it is still important you take your puppy outside for walks. Your puppy will require socialization opportunities and exercise.
Cool tip: We had adopted a beautiful little puppy to a elderly person who lived alone. Because of her age and limited mobility she struggled to take her pup out frequently and she was frightened to walk at night. The owner created an indoor dog potty inside her garage! She shared with us that this option was working out very well for her because when she wasn't up for going outside she could just go to her garage and it was not necessary to go outside in the dark.
Outdoor Training
1. Containment. Create a safe and controlled area for your puppy. By nature puppies and dogs do not like to eat and sleep where they eliminate. You will need to identify a puppy area in your home. This could look like crate training or a small room or section of a room within your house. Baby gates and doggy play pens are a good option when thinking about constructing your puppies area.
2. Timing and consistency. The key to knowing when your puppy will need to eliminate is to use a consistent feeding schedule. Feeding the same food at the same time each day will help you predict approximately when your puppy will need to use the bathroom.
3. Scheduling. It is recommended young puppies be walked one time per hour. Young puppies do not yet have control of their bladders and bowel and accidents will happen. If an accident happens be patient! Clean and disinfect the area and continue with the scheduled walks. As your puppy grows and gets older his/her bladder and bowel control will improve and this will get better. Try to keep this in mind if you are feeling frustrated. REMEMBER do not yell at or scold your puppy. They cannot help it and only time will help. Be patient with them and remember to offer praise and treats when they eliminate outside.
4. Praise. Remember to pour it on! Positive reinforcement in the form treats and praise will increase the likelihood your puppy will eliminate outdoors.
5. Exercise. Exercise will increase your puppies motility. Meaning, exercise will stimulate your puppies bowels. A brisk walk or playing with your puppy will help get your puppies bowels moving and provide bonding and socialization opportunities to your young pup.
Cool tip: Biscuits and training treats can help reinforce desired behaviors in your puppy. Keep treats near by. A pocket full of treats can go a long way in terms of providing consistent positive reinforcement! Just remember, too many biscuits or treats can accumulate and add unwanted calories to your puppies diet. Breaking biscuits or treats down into smaller chunks can help control for unwanted calories. If the thought of putting treats in your pocket is unappetizing you can always purchase a treat and training pouch online.
Indoor Puppy Potty Training
1. Select an area that is easy to clean and disinfect such as a tile floor, kitchen floor, laundry room, or bathroom.
2. Select the kind of potty you want to use --potty pads or a commercial dog potty. FYI there are some really nice looking indoor options. Just google dog potty to see them. If saving money is a consideration you can also use an old shower curtain to cover the floor and place newspapers onto of it! You do not need to spend a ton of money on a fancy indoor potty.
3. Keep the area clean. Puppies are especially prone to diarrhea due to their underdeveloped immune systems and keeping their area clean and disinfected can help insure they have health stool.
4. Praise your puppy when he/she uses the potty! Treats can help too!
5. Be patient. Accidents will happen. Do not yell or scold your puppy. If an accident happens quickly take your puppy to the potty area and praise him/her for going on the potty. Positive reinforcement is the secret here.
6. Hang in there. Puppies have very small bladders and limited control but this will improve as they grow and become older. As the puppy develops stronger bladder control he/she will be better equipped to navigate public spaces such as apartment buildings and elevators and taking your puppy outside will become easier.
7. REMEMBER if you are using an indoor potty it is still important you take your puppy outside for walks. Your puppy will require socialization opportunities and exercise.
Cool tip: We had adopted a beautiful little puppy to a elderly person who lived alone. Because of her age and limited mobility she struggled to take her pup out frequently and she was frightened to walk at night. The owner created an indoor dog potty inside her garage! She shared with us that this option was working out very well for her because when she wasn't up for going outside she could just go to her garage and it was not necessary to go outside in the dark.
Outdoor Training
1. Containment. Create a safe and controlled area for your puppy. By nature puppies and dogs do not like to eat and sleep where they eliminate. You will need to identify a puppy area in your home. This could look like crate training or a small room or section of a room within your house. Baby gates and doggy play pens are a good option when thinking about constructing your puppies area.
2. Timing and consistency. The key to knowing when your puppy will need to eliminate is to use a consistent feeding schedule. Feeding the same food at the same time each day will help you predict approximately when your puppy will need to use the bathroom.
3. Scheduling. It is recommended young puppies be walked one time per hour. Young puppies do not yet have control of their bladders and bowel and accidents will happen. If an accident happens be patient! Clean and disinfect the area and continue with the scheduled walks. As your puppy grows and gets older his/her bladder and bowel control will improve and this will get better. Try to keep this in mind if you are feeling frustrated. REMEMBER do not yell at or scold your puppy. They cannot help it and only time will help. Be patient with them and remember to offer praise and treats when they eliminate outside.
4. Praise. Remember to pour it on! Positive reinforcement in the form treats and praise will increase the likelihood your puppy will eliminate outdoors.
5. Exercise. Exercise will increase your puppies motility. Meaning, exercise will stimulate your puppies bowels. A brisk walk or playing with your puppy will help get your puppies bowels moving and provide bonding and socialization opportunities to your young pup.
Cool tip: Biscuits and training treats can help reinforce desired behaviors in your puppy. Keep treats near by. A pocket full of treats can go a long way in terms of providing consistent positive reinforcement! Just remember, too many biscuits or treats can accumulate and add unwanted calories to your puppies diet. Breaking biscuits or treats down into smaller chunks can help control for unwanted calories. If the thought of putting treats in your pocket is unappetizing you can always purchase a treat and training pouch online.