Puppy Prep School
Why Prep School :
Here at Smeraglia, we realize that while very exciting, bringing a new puppy into your home can be a frustrating and a life-interrupting event. You want a new puppy, but you are worried about all that comes with getting a new puppy, including the initial upset of him being away from all that he has known. Crate training and house training, chewing on your belongings, jumping on your children, and the puppy nipping, are all totally normal new puppy issues and valid new puppy owner fears.
Rest assured, we can now offer you a solution with our varied Doodle Prep School & Smeraglia K9 Programs. We know that the first few days, weeks, and months of your puppy's life are critical for his happy and healthy development, as well as a lifetime of harmony in your home.
Our Doodle Prep School is a unique training program that was created exclusively for our clients, to help our new puppies make the transition from their mother and litter mates to their new family and home environment. Doodle Prep School is designed to allow you the best of both worlds. You can get a new puppy without all of those new puppy issues. Our clients feel that it is easier for their puppy to begin the training straight from the breeder verses trying to interview and hire a trainer in their area, and have to get the puppy then leave it for several weeks.
Please realize the training program is an extra service provided , you can rest assured that we will train your dog to the program that you choose but in the unfortunate event that a puppy goes home and develops a health condition within the 2yrs that is covered under our health warranty, the Prep School & shipping fees are not covered , this is no different than if you had them trained once they arrive home.
Here's How It Works:
Your puppy, instead of immediately coming home to you, will leave his mother, siblings and all of us here at Smeraglia, to be trained by one of our dedicated trainers. He will stay with our trainers for the entire length of his training program . Once there, the trainer will work with your puppy and get him ready to come home to you at a point in the training process of your choosing. We offer a few different programs that can be custom tailored to meet your family's individual needs for training and timing. The length of your puppy’s stay depends on your personal needs as a puppy owner.
Before your puppy is to arrive at school to begin the training process, you will receive a detailed questionnaire requesting important information needed by the trainers to tailor the training process to your families needs. Generally, most puppies are ready for school by eight weeks of age. Prep School typically starts on Thursdays and ends on Thursdays. This allows for Friday shipping or pick ups and a full weekend for you and your puppy to transition. Days can be adjusted by request. Please know that if there are any problems or questions with your puppy while at school, you will be contacted immediately.
You can expect to receive a video update each Friday that your puppy is at school.
All programs include regular weekly video updates, training supplies, and ongoing Vet care to insure that your puppy remains up to date on vaccinations while in our care. A telephone, video conference, or in person consultation with your Puppies Prep School trainer supervisor after your puppy arrives home as well as telephone or e-mail support. Your puppy will go home with instructions and a detailed schedule so that you can continue the training process when you get home. Your puppy kit will include collar, leash, crate, toy, chew toy, sample of preferred treats, full medical record, among other items to get started right away.
All questions will be directed to the trainers and questions and concerns will be addressed in a timely fashion. You can rest assured that your puppy will be well cared for and given much love and affection while at Puppy prep school. They will be well socialized with children as well as other classmates in the program. Our trainers use scientifically proven, reward based training methods. The ultimate goal for all of us and for you is for there to be a perfect match with each new puppy to their new family.
The majority of the trainers time is spent training your puppy. Therefore, e-mails and phone calls should be directed to Anna the Prep School coordinator at doodleprepschool@Smeragliak9.Com
All questions and concerns directed to the trainers will be addressed in your Friday video
We, along with our puppies have built a trusting relationship with our dedicated trainers. Each of them have had wonderful results training our puppies. We believe that we are blessed to have some of the best trainers in the world. You can rest assured that your puppy will be well cared for and given much love and affection while at Doodle Prep School. Our trainers use reward based training using positive reinforcement. The ultimate goal for all of us and for you, is for there to be a perfect match with each new puppy to their new family.
Doodle Prep School Cost: $450 weekly with a minimum of two weeks. Cost of first week is $500.
Our Doodle prep school training programs are available to meet your needs, so you need to look at the different programs and let us know which one will best meet your goals. If you need more, our highly certified trainers can customize the program. The fees are $450/week with a two week minimum and are due when your puppy is four weeks of age. Consider your families needs and let us know the time and energy you are willing to commit to your new addition before you enroll your puppy in Doodle Prep School.
The number of puppies attending prep school at the same time is limited in order to maximize each individual puppy’s time with the trainer. Because of this, early enrollment is recommended for all Programs.
We believe that this is the single most important decision that you can make to ensure that your new puppy will be a happy, well rounded and loved member or your family for years to come.
Thank You For investing in your puppies future by choosing to send your puppy to Doodle Prep School.
One Week Extended Care & Vacation Program : Price $500
Our puppies are all weaned and ready to go home or enter our exclusive Doodle Prep School at Eight Weeks Old. They are all up to date with the age appropriate vaccinations for an eight week old puppy. The Vaccination Puppy protocol is that all puppies are vaccinated at 6,9,12,15 weeks. When your eight week old puppy comes home he will need his 9 week vaccination the following week. He is also ready to being his crate training.
Our New Extended Stay Program was developed for clients that would like for us to keep the puppy for one extra week, vaccinate him , crate train & socialize him and teach him his name.
There will be no other training, the goal is to have the puppy crate trained and able to spend time in the crate without all the fuss, this makes for a happier transition for the new family, and the family can avoid the first few loud and messy days of puppy trainin.
Vacation & Continued Education Programs: Price $450
Any Doodle Prep School Puppy can return at any time for continuing education.
- Family vacations are the perfect time for Doodles to sharpen their skills, work on problem areas or learn a new trick.
- They will need to have a current health certificate within 3 days of arrival.
- We will pick your puppy up from MOB or PNS airport at no extra fee
About Temperament Test:
All of our puppies are temperament tested at 7 weeks of age by a certified Delta trainer so that we can most closely match you with the puppy that you desire before your puppy attends Doodle Prep School. This is a huge benefit for our clients.
We do temperament test on every puppy that is born at Smeraglia, this provides our clients with helpful information about a potential puppies personality, it has been a wonderful tool to help us match our puppies with the right families.
Our trainers can assist in matching our Doodle Prep School Clients with the puppy that is the best match for your needs. Please watch these series of videos that demonstrate our temperament test process.
Two Week: Doodle Prep School Program - Price: $950
The goal of the 2-week program is to transition your puppy to a new location and life away from his littermates, to become familiar with a family atmosphere, and to be imprinted and started on all aspects of training. This program is perfect for clients who would like an objective evaluation of their puppy. It's ideal for those who want a huge leg up on training but would like to do most of the training themselves. This program is best suited for those who do not want to, or cannot handle those first very messy and noisy days of crate training. This program is not for anyone who wants a completely trained puppy. This is an introductory program only.
Puppies that have attended for two weeks have just been introduced to the potty training process and are beginning to understand manners and what is expected of them. They will require a great deal of attention to continue the potty training in your home, as well as reinforcement of all the rules we have been working on with them.
This program is an excellent jump start for potty training, obedience and manners, and can be easily continued by those that have prior experience in puppy training.
With the 2-week program you will receive a crate, chew toy, collar, and leash along with instructions and support on continuing the following training that has been done.
Your puppy will receive around the clock 24/7 care for the length of time enrolled in our program- Your puppy will live in the home of a certified /insured trainer.
- The initial adjustment away from the litter, which is more dog oriented, to a family home setting which is more people oriented. Most puppies come home ready to instantly bond.
- Your Puppy will be crated trained. The crate training, meaning in most cases your puppy can hold potty and remain quiet overnight and for a few hours during the day.
- Your puppy will be on a schedule of eating, drinking, and going potty to make house training much easier. You will receive a copy of this schedule.
- Problems such as jumping up, mouthing (puppy nipping), chewing, etc. will be worked on and usually pretty well under control at the end of the two weeks.
- Your puppy will know the 4 feedback words of good, nope, okay and Leave it, to aid in communication.
- Your puppy will be familiar with the taking and following treats and wearing a collar and leash. Many new puppy owners do realize how important this is in the training process, and that this does not come natural to a puppy. It must be taught before the puppy can progress in his training.
- Your puppy will be introduced to and be comfortable with the training obedience commands of knowing his name, sit, leave it, stay, come.
- Your Puppy will be introduced to the touch command and , ringing the bell to go potty. ( This aspect of the training is not complete but is made much easier due to the familiarity with the basic training concepts.)
- Your puppy will be introduced to basic grooming and maintenance such as brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and teeth brushing.
- Your puppy will receive socialization throughout the day with children and other household pets.
- Your puppy will be vetted and will receive age appropriate vaccinations & medications.
- Click To See Our Goldendoodle Ruthie & Sheila demonstrating some of the basic commands that we teach puppies enrolled in our Doodle Prep School
Four Week : Doodle Prep School Program - $1800
During the four week program the puppy will receive all of the benefits of the Two Week Program. This program is designed for the novice puppy owner. It's ideal for those that want an all inclusive program that will render a well trained family member. Due to the extended length of the program the trainers will be able to work with the puppy more in-depth. They will have more time to get to know your puppy and fine tune the skills that were introduced in the first two weeks.
- Your puppy will receive around the clock, 24/7 care for the length of time enrolled in our program
- Your puppy will live in the home of a certified/insured trainer.
- The initial adjustment away from the litter, which is more dog oriented, to a family home setting which is more people oriented. Most puppies come home ready to instantly bond.
- Your Puppy will be crated trained. The crate training, meaning in most cases your puppy can hold potty and remain quiet overnight and for a few hours during the day.
- Your puppy will be on a schedule of eating, drinking, and going potty to make house training much easier. You will receive a copy of this schedule.
- Problems such as jumping up, mouthing (puppy nipping), chewing, etc. will be worked on and usually pretty well under control at the end of the two weeks.
- Your puppy will know the 4 feedback words of good, nope, okay and Leave it, to aid in communication.
- Your puppy will be familiar with the taking and following treats and wearing a collar and leash. Many new puppy owners do realize how important this is in the training process, and that this does not come natural to a puppy. It must be taught before the puppy can progress in his training.
- Your puppy will be introduced to and be comfortable with the training obedience commands of knowing his name, sit, leave it, stay, come.
- Your Puppy will be introduced to the touch command and , ringing the bell to go potty. ( This aspect of the training is not complete but is made much easier due to the familiarity with the basic training concepts.)
- Your puppy will be introduced to basic grooming and maintenance such as brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and teeth brushing.
- Your puppy will receive socialization throughout the day with children and other household pets.
- Your puppy will be vetted and will receive age appropriate vaccinations & medications.
- Each puppy will have a strong more solid understanding of appropriate household manners such as not walking between your feet, jumping up, or destroying inappropriate objects.
- The puppy will be further along in the house-training process, and your puppy will be put on a personalized schedule that mirrors your own, which will allow the house-training to run more smoothly in your home.
- More practice to maintain consistent results with the obedience commands, Attention (his name), Sit, Touch, Leave It, Down, and Come.
- Puppies in the 4 week program will have the benefit of additional socialization, which means a more well-rounded puppy.
- Upon request, puppies in this group can also be introduced to the bell as a means for signaling the need to go outside to potty.
Please keep in mind that it is not possible for a puppy to be 100% reliably house-trained until the puppy has matured, which is usually between the ages of six to eight months,, if you desire a 100% house trained puppy will little or no work on your part, then you need to consider our mature dog program. By following the rules set out in the 4 week program accidents should be minimal after the initial transition period of three to five days.
Six Week: Doodle Prep School Program “S.T.A.R . Puppy Program” - Price $2800
The six week program includes everything in the four week program plus the puppy will have had time to attend and complete a six week S.T.A.R Puppy program with me as their current owner.
These are puppies that I have and will take through the S.T.A.R Puppy training before they are go home. The puppy and I will attend a weekly class for six consecutive weeks.
S.T.A.R. Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program. This program is ideal for puppies that are going to be used as therapy dogs.
I will have provided the puppy with the basic training of the skills learned on the AKC S.T.A.R puppy test
As with CGC , and the AKC S.T.A.R puppy award is about a partnership between the owner and the puppy and it is not transferrable.
If you want to go through this class with your puppy you can find a local training class and go back through the training, this will be great for you and your puppy.
I highly recommend continued training through out your puppies life. With this great foundation, your puppy should pass the CGC test at one years old with flying colors.
Maturity Doodle Program - Price: $450 Per Week:
(16 Weeks Of Training beginning at 8wks old - Does Not Include Price Of Puppy)
This program takes the puppy to maturity, which is usually around the age of six to eight months depending on when the puppy is enrolled. Most puppies begin at 8 weeks old and they are trained for four months, additional weeks or months can be added at the owners request.
This is perfect for those who do not wish to deal with the puppy stage at all. From this program you can expect the following behaviors.
- Your dog will be completely crate trained and completely house-trained, including ringing a bell to go outside if requested by the new owner.
- Your dog will exhibit good manners and be consistent with the obedience commands Attention, Come, Sit, Stay, Leave It, and Touch.
- Your dog will also be CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Certified
- Your Puppy Will have the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification
- Your dog will come to you spayed or neutered ( extra cost of $300 will be incurred for this service upon your request),
- Your dog will be micro chipped, and will have received all age appropriate vaccinations included
- The new owners will also receive one professional photo session at Doodle Pawtography.
- To make for an easier transition, your dog will spend time in the homes of two trainers so that his ability to transition will be tested prior to going home.
- Mature Dogs for the Disabled can qualify for the Service Dog Program. See Info below
Service Dog Training and Certification : Call for More Details & Individual Prices
We can train and certify dogs that have completed our exclusive mature dog program (details of mature dog program listed below). The dogs will continue with us and be trained to the individual needs of our clients with disabilities. This will involve several more months of training beyond the mature dog training. Most Service dogs are 8-1o months when they leave our program. They will be registered through the United States Service Dog Registry. They will be fully equipped for service.
Therapy Doodle Program - Price: Available upon request :
This program is perfect for the person that wants a trained therapy dog ready to visit such places as Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Women’s and Children’s Hospitals, and Schools. The dog will be trained and certified to the specifications of the Delta Society Pet Partners Program. comes complete with an I. D. Card and Insurance for visiting the facilities. Your dog will also be ready to test for the Read Program once the dog has been with you the required amount of time.
Click to see more Therapy Doodle Pics
