If you've got a new puppy in an already busy life, you'll know what a challenge it is to meet all of their needs and the fact that puppies are at such a crucial stage of development in their early weeks and months means that you can't afford to put things off.  A Different Dog is here to help!  
​Our innovate 'Steps to Success' Programme will provide your puppy with appropriate training, socialisation, life experiences, exercise and play to set them (and you) up for success.  

​We can work with your puppy in your absence (saving you having to arrange a dog walker or puppy drop-in visits if you're busy at work or tied up elsewhere) or you're welcome to join us if you like.

THE STEPS TO SUCCESS

BASIC TRAINING

  • Recall (coming back when called)
  • Walking on a loose-lead (not pulling)
  • Controlled greetings (not jumping up)
  • Focusing on the handler/ ignoring distractions
  • Settling/ relaxing at home
  • Any other skills that may be useful for you

SOCIALISATION

  • Supervised play with other puppies
  • Play with appropriate adult dogs 
  • ​Meeting unfamiliar adults
  • Meeting and interacting appropriately with children
  • Controlled interactions with other pets you have
  • Anything else appropriate in your case

LIFE EXPERIENCES

  • Being comfortable in a busy place
  • Travelling by car/ public transport
  • Popping in to the vets/ groomers 
  • Going into shops
  • Settling in a cafe/ pub 
  • Other experiences as appropriate to your lifestyle

EXERCISE & PLAY

  • Play at home/ in the garden 
  • Learning games which teach self control
  • Fetch/ tug games, as appropriate
  • Walks in town
  • Walks in the countryside/ at a park
  • Other needs (eg. proprioception), as required

COSTS AND PACKAGES:

Basic Package
3 x 45 minute sessions / week
£185 - 3 Sessions/ Week
Standard Package
4 x 45 minute sessions / week
£240 - 4 Sessions/ Week
Premium Package
5 x 45 minute sessions / week
£280 - 5 Sessions/ Week
For very young puppies who need more than one visit per day, we can agree an alternative structure to the above.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT TO A DOG WALKER?

This premium service has been designed to meet the individual needs of your puppy in a way which is just not possible in a day care scenario or with a dog walker.  We use our unique skills and specialist expertise to devise a bespoke programme of training, exercise, play, life experiences and socialisation, especially for your puppy. 

We will train your puppy basic life skills such as not jumping up at people, coming back when called, ignoring distractions, paying attention and walking nicely on the lead.  We will provide appropriate life experiences (according to your needs and lifestyle) such as going into shops, travelling in the car, meeting new people and other dogs, exploring new places.  Your puppy's exercise needs will be catered for (with fun in the garden for puppies that are not yet fully vaccinated to longer walks for older pups).  Everything will be taught in a fun and kind way and you can be sure that your puppy is getting the 1:1 attention that they need.

In terms of socialisation, rather than just allowing your puppy to learn to have lots of fun playing with other dogs (this is where a lot of the issues we see with dogs not listening to their owners comes in!), we create opportunities for careful, appropriate interactions and play with other dogs or puppies which is balanced with teaching the skills your puppy needs to be able to pay attention to their handler (human!).  This way, you don't end up with a dog that darts off to see other dogs the moment they get let off the lead, with you struggling to get them back!   We also have the skills to see when your puppy is not well-matched with a playmate, not having fun or is getting a bit over-excited.  Unfortunately, without being able to appropriately moderate the socialisation experiences your puppy has, there is a risk that this could lead to them having problems with other dogs or people in the longer term. 

GOOD TO KNOW

​We begin with an initial 45 minute consultation so that we know exactly what you need and we can get to know your puppy and answer any questions you may have about the service.  We charge £55 for this initial session but, if you decide to opt for one of the packages above, we then give you your first puppy visit for free. 

We can arrange these sessions to take place when you are busy elsewhere or at work, updating you on progress regularly.  Alternatively, if you would like to join us for any sessions you are, of course, more than welcome. 
​
We will update you at least weekly and are happy to suggest activities that you could do to further support your puppy's development if you would like us to do so. 
This service is only available in St Albans/ London Colney/ Colney Heath areas.
We only offer this special service to puppies aged under 6 months. 
​Get in touch to see if we can help you. 
To arrange your initial consultation, please contact us or click on 'book now'

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