PUPPY TRAINING in Colorado
Puppy Training in Colorado
Give Your Puppy the Best Start in Life
Fun, expert-led online classes that build confidence, obedience, and social skills.
Welcome to Puppyhood 🎉🥳
Congratulations on your new puppy!
This is an exciting new chapter, and we’re thrilled to be part of it with you.
You’ve also found the last dog trainer you’ll ever need. We’ll guide you step by step through puppyhood, adolescence, and into adulthood—so you’re never guessing what to do next.
When your puppy reaches 6 months of age, they’ll be ready for our 3-Week Board & Train, where we focus on turning them into a calm, confident, well-mannered member of society.
What to Expect in the Coming Months
Puppyhood is:
- Exciting
- Rewarding
- Full of love (and cuteness)
Puppyhood is:
- Stressful
- Exhausting
- A little overwhelming at times
That’s where we come in. Our goal is to give you a clear game plan that removes confusion and minimizes stress—for both you and your puppy.
Below are the key foundations that will set you up for long-term success.
1. Structure Comes First
Structure is the single most important thing you can give your puppy.
A consistent routine helps your puppy:
Learn good habits early
Avoid bad habits before they start
Understand when to play, rest, eat, and potty
With structure, potty training, nap time, and playtime become predictable and manageable—instead of chaotic.
2. Supervision is Everything
Think of your puppy like an infant—they need constant supervision.
Best practices:
Never leave your puppy unattended
Use the crate when you can’t supervise
Keep your puppy in sight when they’re out of the crate
Use an X-pen to create a safe, limited play area
Supervision prevents accidents before they happen.
3. The Crate: Your Best Tool
The crate is not a punishment—it’s a powerful training tool. It helps with:
- Potty training
- Teaching your puppy to settle
- Ensuring proper rest and sleep
- Giving your puppy a safe personal space
Crate safety rules:
- No toys, beds, blankets, or chews when unattended
- If supervised, soft items are okay
- If accidents or destruction occur, remove bedding temporarily
We’ll show you how to:
- Introduce the crate properly
- Build positive associations
- Use the crate without stress or guilt
4. Play, Outlets & Mental Stimulation
Play builds the relationship and helps your puppy:
- Bond with you
- Release energy
- Reduce biting and mouthiness
Important rule:
👉 Play should always be initiated by you.
Use a consistent cue like:
- “Do you want to play?”
- “Ready to play?”
This teaches your puppy when excitement is appropriate.
Give the Right Chewing Outlets
Puppies need to bite and chew—it’s normal.
Your job is to:
Redirect biting to toys
Show what is allowed instead of just correcting what isn’t
Mental Stimulation Matters
Hand-feeding is one of the most powerful tools you can use.
Benefits of hand-feeding:
Builds engagement and focus
Strengthens your bond
Teaches your puppy to work for food
Allows training without excess treats
Teaching Your Puppy to Relax
Many nuisance behaviors are signs of over-tiredness, not bad behavior.
If your puppy:
Is biting excessively
Can’t settle
Seems chaotic after play
👉 It’s probably time for a crate nap.
Learning to relax is a skill—and we teach it intentionally.
5. Potty Training Made Simple
Potty training works best with:
- Structure
- Consistency
- Crate use
Dogs thrive on patterns. The more predictable the schedule, the faster potty training clicks.
Core Potty Training Rules
- Always potty immediately after leaving the crate
- Potty before playtime or freedom
- Calm, neutral energy outside
- Consistency over perfection
👉 Accidents are information, not failure.
6. Set Realistic Expectations
Your puppy is an infant—not a finished dog.
Key reminders:
Progress is not linear
Mistakes are normal
Chewing and accidents will happen
The first 9–18 months are about building foundations
When things go wrong, we don’t blame the puppy—we adjust the environment and structure.
7. Feeding & Water Schedule
Scheduled meals are critical for:
- Potty training success
- Preventing overeating
- Maintaining food motivation
- Avoiding resource guarding
Our Preferred Approach
- No free-feeding
- Hand-feed for the first few months
- Use meals as training rewards
- Carry food in a treat pouch throughout the day
This builds:
- Focus
- Engagement
- A strong working relationship
What to Expect in the Coming Months
Puppyhood is:
- Exciting
- Rewarding
- Full of love (and cuteness)
Puppyhood is:
- Stressful
- Exhausting
- A little overwhelming at times
That’s where we come in. Our goal is to give you a clear game plan that removes confusion and minimizes stress—for both you and your puppy.
Below are the key foundations that will set you up for long-term success.
1. Structure Comes First
Structure is the single most important thing you can give your puppy.
A consistent routine helps your puppy:
Learn good habits early
Avoid bad habits before they start
Understand when to play, rest, eat, and potty
With structure, potty training, nap time, and playtime become predictable and manageable—instead of chaotic.
2. Supervision is Everything
Think of your puppy like an infant—they need constant supervision.
Best practices:
Never leave your puppy unattended
Use the crate when you can’t supervise
Keep your puppy in sight when they’re out of the crate
Use an X-pen to create a safe, limited play area
Supervision prevents accidents before they happen.
3. The Crate: Your Best Tool
The crate is not a punishment—it’s a powerful training tool. It helps with:
- Potty training
- Teaching your puppy to settle
- Ensuring proper rest and sleep
- Giving your puppy a safe personal space
Crate safety rules:
- No toys, beds, blankets, or chews when unattended
- If supervised, soft items are okay
- If accidents or destruction occur, remove bedding temporarily
We’ll show you how to:
- Introduce the crate properly
- Build positive associations
- Use the crate without stress or guilt
4. Play, Outlets & Mental Stimulation
Play builds the relationship and helps your puppy:
- Bond with you
- Release energy
- Reduce biting and mouthiness
Important rule:
👉 Play should always be initiated by you.
Use a consistent cue like:
- “Do you want to play?”
- “Ready to play?”
This teaches your puppy when excitement is appropriate.
Give the Right Chewing Outlets
Puppies need to bite and chew—it’s normal.
Your job is to:
Redirect biting to toys
Show what is allowed instead of just correcting what isn’t
Mental Stimulation Matters
Hand-feeding is one of the most powerful tools you can use.
Benefits of hand-feeding:
Builds engagement and focus
Strengthens your bond
Teaches your puppy to work for food
Allows training without excess treats
Teaching Your Puppy to Relax
Many nuisance behaviors are signs of over-tiredness, not bad behavior.
If your puppy:
Is biting excessively
Can’t settle
Seems chaotic after play
👉 It’s probably time for a crate nap.
Learning to relax is a skill—and we teach it intentionally.
5. Potty Training Made Simple
Potty training works best with:
- Structure
- Consistency
- Crate use
Dogs thrive on patterns. The more predictable the schedule, the faster potty training clicks.
Core Potty Training Rules
- Always potty immediately after leaving the crate
- Potty before playtime or freedom
- Calm, neutral energy outside
- Consistency over perfection
👉 Accidents are information, not failure.
6. Set Realistic Expectations
Your puppy is an infant—not a finished dog.
Key reminders:
Progress is not linear
Mistakes are normal
Chewing and accidents will happen
The first 9–18 months are about building foundations
When things go wrong, we don’t blame the puppy—we adjust the environment and structure.
7. Feeding & Water Schedule
Scheduled meals are critical for:
- Potty training success
- Preventing overeating
- Maintaining food motivation
- Avoiding resource guarding
Our Preferred Approach
- No free-feeding
- Hand-feed for the first few months
- Use meals as training rewards
- Carry food in a treat pouch throughout the day
This builds:
- Focus
- Engagement
- A strong working relationship
Puppy Potty Training Schedule (Example)
6:00am – Wake up & potty
6:30am – Feed + water → potty → play → crate
9:00am – Potty → play → crate
12:00pm – Feed + water → potty → play → crate
3:00pm – Water → optional play → crate
5:00pm – Final meal → potty → supervised free time → crate
7:00pm – Potty / play → crate
9:00pm – Final potty → crate for bedtime
You’ve Got This 💪
Raising a puppy isn’t about perfection—it’s about structure, patience, and support.
And you’re not doing this alone.
We’re with you every step of the way.
Connect with our trainers
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Get answers, relief, and a clear plan—whether you choose us or not, we’ll make it worth your time.
What's the next step?
For dogs 4 months and older:
- Submit this form.
- Choose a convenient time.
- Talk to our team for 30 to 60 minutes through Zoom or a phone call—no obligation, just clarity and actionable advice, customized to your needs.
Is your Puppy under 4 months?
- Submit the form and gain access to our FREE online puppy course.
Step Inside the Academy
Watch real training, daily progress, and happy dogs in action right now.
Professional dog trainer for all breeds and all ages in Denver, Longmont, and all surrounding areas in Colorado.
