SPA Puppy Program (Star Puppy Academy):
At Pickwick Pugs, we not only strive to produce healthy and beautiful pugs who meet the breed standard but we also work very hard individually with each puppy on a daily basis to create emotionally resilient and inquisitive pugs.
Along with our extensive health-testing and screening, and consultation with top certified trainers and behaviorists, we strive to produce amazing pugs who are beautiful inside and out. Beauty and brains is our motto! Our pugs live with us in our home so we can truly examine their temperament and with our pugs' participation in performance sports, we are also able to observe each dog's learning curve and intelligence quotient. Pickwick pugs are intelligent but, most importantly, we teach our puppies how to learn so they will have the greatest success in their new homes.
An important aspect of a Pickwick Pug puppy is our comprehensive training and socialization program which starts while the puppy is still in the womb and continues through daily, individual sessions with each puppy until they go to their forever home. We safely socialize each puppy visiting churches, stores, vets, fire stations, Starbucks, restaurants and more. The puppies go on car rides and meet all sorts of different types of people and discover a wide range of novel experiences. From early sound protocols, exploration of scents and textures, to the 6-week puppy party daily training and socialization, to the puppy's final graduation, we provide each puppy the best start at life possible. It is no wonder that Pickwick Pugs are always the star students in their Puppy Kindergarten Classes!
Each puppy even completes an AKC Tricks title before the age of 12 weeks!
At Pickwick Pugs, we not only strive to produce healthy and beautiful pugs who meet the breed standard but we also work very hard individually with each puppy on a daily basis to create emotionally resilient and inquisitive pugs.
Along with our extensive health-testing and screening, and consultation with top certified trainers and behaviorists, we strive to produce amazing pugs who are beautiful inside and out. Beauty and brains is our motto! Our pugs live with us in our home so we can truly examine their temperament and with our pugs' participation in performance sports, we are also able to observe each dog's learning curve and intelligence quotient. Pickwick pugs are intelligent but, most importantly, we teach our puppies how to learn so they will have the greatest success in their new homes.
An important aspect of a Pickwick Pug puppy is our comprehensive training and socialization program which starts while the puppy is still in the womb and continues through daily, individual sessions with each puppy until they go to their forever home. We safely socialize each puppy visiting churches, stores, vets, fire stations, Starbucks, restaurants and more. The puppies go on car rides and meet all sorts of different types of people and discover a wide range of novel experiences. From early sound protocols, exploration of scents and textures, to the 6-week puppy party daily training and socialization, to the puppy's final graduation, we provide each puppy the best start at life possible. It is no wonder that Pickwick Pugs are always the star students in their Puppy Kindergarten Classes!
Each puppy even completes an AKC Tricks title before the age of 12 weeks!
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Puppy Training & Socialization |
Through our training with Dr. Ian Dunbar, Victoria Stillwell, Denise Fenzi and other important veterinarians/animal behaviorists/dog trainers, we are aware of the importance of early socialization and training which it is why it is included in the cost of each Pickwick pug puppy. Waiting until 12 weeks after "gotcha day" is too late so breeders should be responsible for the early training.
A Pickwick Pug puppy receives training every day of its life while with us .... even as a newborn! From the early neurological stimulation exercises during the first weeks to barrier challenges and "shaping games", we train a puppy how to think and learn. We start loading the clicker and formal training sessions (puppy friendly ;) before the puppy is even weaned from the mother, and before it can even walk steadily! Before the puppy has even left the whelping box, we work on startle and recover exercises so they will have a "so what" response later in life as adults, and introduce them to new textures, items, toys, experiences, scents, and people. As soon as they can take a treat (and even before they are eating solid food) they work on things like resource guarding, drop it, leave it, attention, and manding,
A Pickwick Puppy does not simply hang out in the puppy playpen all day with a bunch of toys for entertainment. Every day each puppy experiences a novel texture, scent, sight, sound, environment, and experience. Yes, the puppies have awesome toys and do enjoy time playing with siblings, aunts, uncles etc., but they are also safely and gently exposed to all sorts of different environments and they interact with, are hugged and handled by, and even trained by all sorts of people including children, strangers, men, people in uniform, costumes, wearing hats, hoodies, glasses, jewelry, and more. To learn more about the Puppy Culture protocols each puppy is raised with click here.
A Pickwick Pug puppy receives training every day of its life while with us .... even as a newborn! From the early neurological stimulation exercises during the first weeks to barrier challenges and "shaping games", we train a puppy how to think and learn. We start loading the clicker and formal training sessions (puppy friendly ;) before the puppy is even weaned from the mother, and before it can even walk steadily! Before the puppy has even left the whelping box, we work on startle and recover exercises so they will have a "so what" response later in life as adults, and introduce them to new textures, items, toys, experiences, scents, and people. As soon as they can take a treat (and even before they are eating solid food) they work on things like resource guarding, drop it, leave it, attention, and manding,
A Pickwick Puppy does not simply hang out in the puppy playpen all day with a bunch of toys for entertainment. Every day each puppy experiences a novel texture, scent, sight, sound, environment, and experience. Yes, the puppies have awesome toys and do enjoy time playing with siblings, aunts, uncles etc., but they are also safely and gently exposed to all sorts of different environments and they interact with, are hugged and handled by, and even trained by all sorts of people including children, strangers, men, people in uniform, costumes, wearing hats, hoodies, glasses, jewelry, and more. To learn more about the Puppy Culture protocols each puppy is raised with click here.
Star Puppy Academy (SPA) Graduate
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Circus Dog/SPA Graduate- Click here to expand & Learn more (Day 3-WEEK 12)
AKC Trick Dog ..... Looking for some musical entertainment for your next dinner party? After completion of this level your puppy will have even earned an official AKC (American Kennel Club) title of TKN! Your puppy's official registered name (i.e. Pickwick's Mighty Force of Nature) will always be followed by the suffix of titles earned in all official documentation (i.e. Pickwick's Mighty Force of Nature, TKN).
At around 12-weeks of age, puppies will have completed the first 2 rounds of vaccinations (puppy will still need to complete 3rd and final round with new owner plus Rabies at appropriate date). Your Pickwick Pug Puppy will have received age-appropriate work on loose-leash-walking, and crate training. House-training now consists of litterbox + potty outside plus the "place" command has been introduced along with a plethora of tricks like shake, bow, shake, spin, twist, and even to play a toy piano! Of course the puppy will have had additional time to work on the important skills of "puppy pushups" (sit, down, stand), wait, leave it, recall (come when called), attention, and more. This extensive training makes for an easier transition for both the puppy and owners after Gotcha Day. Companion (pet) puppies are ready for gotcha day after 12 weeks of age. Potential show pups do not leave until 16-24 weeks of age. If the puppy is a show prospect and potential "pick-of-the-litter", (which we have held back to grow out a bit more before choosing our pick), the puppy will have also participated in AKC BPUP (Beginner Puppy 4-6 month class) and possibly earned additional awards and ribbons plus the additional show-dog training and socialization involved. Even if the puppy does not end up staying a show puppy, the skills learned for table examinations (stand stay etc.) are fabulous for other life challenges such as vet visits and stand-stay to be weighed. Here are some things each puppy will have received/experienced/worked on: *AKC Registration *AKC Reunite Microchip *4-generation pedigree *Socialization *Field Trips *6-Week Puppy Party *7.5 Week Temperament Evaluation *8, 10 + Week Conformation Evaluations *Additional special request training (such as practicing with sherpa bag for flying) *ENS Bio Sensor *Manding *Socialization *Introduction to Textures *Scent Work *Shaping Games & Clicker Training *Hand Touch *Attention - Watch Me *Attention Duration *Fetch *Tug *Leave It *Recalls (Come when called) *Sit *Down *Stand *Puppy Pushups *Paws Up *Bow *Crawl *Through (tunnel) *Jump Through Hoop *Get In/Out *Get On/Off *Perch Work *Loose Leash Walking Introduction *Spin/Twist *Play Piano *Paint *Balance Beam *Exercise Wheel *Ride in Toy Car (and/or wagon) *Weekly grooming, baths, blow dries, taping of ears to lay correctly and frame face *High quality, human-grade food and treats including raw goats milk, probiotics, Nuvet vitamins, fish oil, ester C, calcium *Wobble Board, balance discs *Paw-painted masterpiece by puppy *House training (litter box trained + potty outside) *Crate Training games and introduction *AKC Novice Tricks Title The pug puppy will earn his/her official AKC Novice Tricks title by mastering the following 10 tricks and preparing a video for submission and evaluation: 1) Balance Beam 2) Get in the box 3) Sit in the box 4) Get On 5) Paws Up 6) Spin in Circle 7) Tunnel 8) Touch It (Hand Touch) 9) Handler's Choice: Play the Piano 10) Handler's Choice: Jump Through Hoola Hoop or Push Button or Bow or tba) Puppy Go-Home Bag:
Health/Vet:
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(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.
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.