SPA Puppy Program
Star Puppy Academy 
This program is included as part of every Pickwick puppy placement.
At Pickwick Pugs, we are committed to raising puppies who are not only beautiful and healthy—but also confident, resilient, and deeply connected to the world around them. Through our Star Puppy Academy (SPA), each puppy receives daily, individualized attention designed to develop curiosity, emotional stability, and a love of learning.

Beauty and brains is our motto.

More Than Breeding—We Are Raising Minds
Our puppies are raised in our home, allowing us to carefully observe and nurture each one’s unique temperament.
In addition to extensive health testing and collaboration with respected trainers and behaviorists, we focus on developing:

• Emotional resilience
• Confidence in new environments
• Strong learning ability
• Social intelligence

Pickwick Pugs are not only intelligent—we teach them how to learn, setting them up for lifelong success.

Training Begins Before Birth
Our program begins early--even before puppies are born—and continues through daily training and enrichment until they leave for their forever homes.
Each puppy experiences:

• Early neurological stimulation
• Sound and startle-recovery protocols (“so what” response)
• Exposure to textures, scents, and novel environments
• Gentle, progressive socialization

By the time your puppy comes home, they are already thoughtful, adaptable learners.

A Life Rich in Experience
Pickwick puppies are not raised in a pen—they are raised in the world.
They enjoy:

• Car rides and real-world outings
• Visits to churches, stores, veterinary clinics, and more
• Exposure to people of all ages and appearances
• Interaction with a wide variety of environments, sounds, and situations

This careful, positive exposure builds confidence—not fear—toward life’s many experiences.

Daily Individual Training
Each puppy participates in daily, structured learning sessions, including:

• Clicker training (introduced early—even before weaning)
• Shaping games and problem-solving exercises
• Foundational behaviors (attention, leave it, drop it, early impulse control)
• Confidence-building challenges

We don’t simply entertain puppies—we engage their minds.

An Exceptional Start
Before going home, every Pickwick puppy:

• Has received extensive early training and socialization
• Is well on their way to house manners and leash skills
• Has been carefully evaluated for temperament
• And even completes an AKC Trick Title before 12 weeks of age
  

It’s no surprise that Pickwick puppies are often the standout students in Puppy Kindergarten classes.

Advanced Training (Young Adults & Retired Pugs)
Older puppies and young adults (including retired champions) may come with:

• Loose-leash walking skills
• House training
• Advanced socialization
• Titles, ribbons, and certifications
• Completed vaccinations and possible spay/neuter

Continued Training for Owners
Training doesn’t end at “gotcha day”—and it’s just as important for humans as it is for puppies.
We require all Pickwick families to:

• Enroll in at least one positive reinforcement training class
• Begin within the first month after bringing their puppy home
• Be registered prior to pickup

This helps establish communication, confidence, and a lasting bond.

A Lifetime of Learning
Pugs are intelligent, social companions who thrive when engaged.
We encourage all Pickwick families to continue exploring activities such as:

• Tricks and rally obedience
• Scent work and barn hunt
• Social outings and travel
• Enrichment games and learning experiences

Your pug has one life—fill it with curiosity, joy, and shared adventure.

✨ At Pickwick Pugs, we don’t just raise puppies—we raise companions prepared to thrive in the world and deeply connected to the people they love.

Puppy Training & Socialization

(All retired pick of the litters over 6 months of age, and retired champions will have completed advanced training affording a mastery of loose-leash-walking, house-training, extensive socialization, additional awards, ribbons, certificates, and possible titles, plus they will have received all puppy vaccinations. will be up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations, plus rabies, and possibly already spayed/neutered if over age 1-2.)

Continued Training:
It's important that each puppy's human receive training, too, which is why Pickwick Pugs requires that each puppy owner complete at least one in-person training class with their puppy after Gotcha Day with an instructor who uses positive reinforcement. No matter how many pugs or dogs you've owned, or how many puppies you've trained (even if recently), the class is imperative for building rapport and a bond with the puppy and important to make connections for future resources and questions. Puppies should begin the class within a month after Gotcha Day and must be enrolled prior to pickup day.

As the old saying goes, "if you don't use it, you'll lose it", so regularly review all of your pug's skills and tricks and have fun adding some new ones! We encourage all Pickwick Pug owners to continue training throughout the pug's life and not allow your pug to become a hermit. Pugs are social creatures and love to learn .... for their entire life, not just the first months. Don't let a bored pug become a boar or recluse. Have fun with a rally obedience class, another tricks class, barnhunt, scent work, swim class (use a life preserver), or any new activity you can think of. Bring your pug to the market on Saturday mornings, or to the beach for vacation.

Your pug only has one life to live and time will fly by. Don't let the sofa or the living room window be the only thing your pug sees every single day ... explore the world together! Check out Kyra Sundance's free online Tricktionary for ideas, or visit www.BringFido.com for dog friendly activities in your area.

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