Dog Boot Camp Training by Maureen Keene of Keene Kanine

Dog Boot Camp training is usually planned ahead of time, although I have been known to do it at the last minute in a pinch. I enjoy it as it's always a fun learning experience because there's always something new to learn in puppy boot camp training!

-Maureen Keene, Dog Boot Camp Trainer

Dog Boot Camp Trainer in Long Beach and Serving all of Nassau County, NY

Occasionally in "the beginning," I used to get a call from someone asking if I could initially take their dog and train it with me. Some people have never had a new puppy, or their schedule does not mesh with the initial training needed, so this is how I started my own personalized Doggy Boot Camp Training.

When I plan for this arrangement, I take note when I visit the home to pick up the puppy. I look at where the exits are that the dog will go out for potty or where you will want a We-we pad if that is the case. I look around the neighborhood and see what kind of environment we have for walking our dog.

I observe all the family members and assess what the puppy will encounter when he returns home. In addition, I take note of other animals in the home, including dogs, cats, and birds. 

I take note of the entranceway to the house and how easy it will be for the puppy to fly out into the street, and how we will plan for him to avoid jumping on visiting guests down the road. I find out the family's schedule to know what program I need to work out for this home.

When I take a dog in for this service:



• I will crate-train your dog
• I will essentially potty-train your dog
• I will we-we pad train your dog if desired
• I will teach your dog clear communication that I will transfer to you
• I will teach your dog all the basic commands
• I will teach your dog to walk on a leash, even if only indoors initially, with a walking command and the appropriate commands needed outdoors
• I will socialize your dog with other dogs and with people
• I will teach your dog not to nip, bite, or growl
  

The crate must be small so they will not have room to run around and be active enough to get potty going. I usually like those beating heart stuffed toys and crowding the crate a little bit so that it's comfy small, and inviting. I will teach your dog to sleep through the night in the crate.

If you are utilizing a wee-wee pad, I will make that happen. I may want to train him in a pen with a we-we pad available, or he might exit the crate and then go to a we-we pad. This depends on what you would like in your home as a setup when he returns to you.

I will introduce the bell to your dog to ring to go out for potty. For the beginning communication skills, I establish a yes word as a verbal clicker associated with a reward, and alternately I like to establish a negative sound along with no to issue when any unwanted behavior occurs. Little puppies learn this communication very quickly, and I'll help you to learn this too.

I work with hand signals and verbal commands for the Commands, and I teach Sit, Stay, Down, Stand, Come, Leave it, Drop it, and Off. Hand signals are necessary because dogs respond more quickly to a visual than an audio cue. I keep the rewards tiny, tiny, tiny, really just a taste and a promise and no real eating going on with the treats and rewards.

For walking, I will introduce a walking command repeated over and over as we walk together inside the home. I make it pleasant and enjoyable. They perk up nicely and prepare to walk when they hear the walking command. I help them understand That they cannot just run freely at the end of a leash and that there is a person on the other end of it.

I teach them the word wait. They understand that when they hear wait, so they will hear the negative sound and feel a correction if they do not slow down.

And then, I teach a "leave it" command, and that is for them to pay attention to me and ignore anything else they are triggered by when we are walking.

I teach them to look at me when they see a trigger instead of reacting to the stimulus. When they are not looking, they are not reacting because dogs respond more quickly to a visual than audio. So by blocking their vision or having them look away, I can tackle big triggers on our walk.

I will make sure to present very tempting items to your dog that he might want to become possessive over.

I will communicate to him that he is not to guard anything and that we own everything, and anything we give to him is our choice, not his privilege.

I will make sure that he does not guard his food bowl as well and that he moves aside when I approach him to take something away.

Your dog will not be jumping on me or others that he will meet in my house.

He will be trained not to bark when someone walks into the room whom I have clearly invited in.

He will learn that things are happening around him that he is not part of and that it is OK for him to settle in his crate while these things are happening in his midst.

He will learn to settle down, be calm, lie in bed, and chew a toy when not in his crate. He will learn to be a good little boy or girl and behave to the best of his abilities.

Then I will spend time with you when I return him home, explaining his new skills and helping you be on the same page so that you can move forward with him successfully.