Congratulations, it's always great to add a new member to your four-legged family but it can also be tricky.  To help smooth the way of your introductions there are a few things you can do.  First, be sure to keep the new puppy in a separate room (bedroom, bathroom, laundry room) for the first 48-72 hours to allow it to get used to the sounds & smells of it's new home.  Next, place a towel under both pets dinner bowls for the first day (or two) and then swap the towels to help build a positive association with the smell of the new puppy with the existing pets.  If you are introducing a new puppy to your family dog it is best to do so on leash and away from it's territory.  This can be accomplished by putting both dogs on leash and meeting around the corner from your home then you can walk both dogs back to the house together.  Finally, when opening the space to your new puppy be sure to monitor its behavior and ward off any unwanted advances toward your existing cat/dog.  This will help your pets understand that you are still the Leader.

Absolutely!  In fact, most dogs prefer to have a den space of their own which can be achieved by training them to sleep in their own crate.  This can give them a sense of security and a quiet place to rest undisturbed.  When working with a crate it is important not to use it as punishment and to ensure it is the proper size to allow the dog to stand up and turn around freely.  Keeping a cushion or pet blanket in the crate will make the experience of crate training even more comfortable for your dog. 

First, and most important, we want you to bring your dog with you on the first day of class because after a brief lecture we will be jumping right in to your first training lesson.  Along with your dog we ask that you bring a copy of your pets vaccinations record (for puppies), a 6 Ft. leash (leather or nylon), a training collar (training chain, cinch, or prong collar work best), small kibble or training biscuits, and disposable pick-up bags for those occasional accidents.  While we always recommend exercising your dog prior to class to help burn off the top level of energy and give your dog time to relieve itself you'll want to be sure not to overtire your pup prior to class.  If you need help finding supplies come in 20 minutes early and our trainers will help get you set-up.

While dogs of any age can benefit from learning to respond to the basic obedience commands in our FOUNDATIONS class, we ask that you make sure  your new puppy has its basic puppy shots for its safety and the safety of the other class members.  Typically, there are three stages of these shots which should be finished by 12-16 weeks of age.  If you are unsure, you can always check with your vet.