Start off on the right Paw
with your new best friend

Pre-Pup (or Dog) Counseling

 
 
 

What to Know Before Your New Best Friend Comes Home

Set your new canine companion, and your family, up for success. In this counseling session you’ll learn how to get your home ready and frame family expectations, right from the start.

This session is perfect for people just starting to think about a family dog, for people about to bring home a puppy or adult dog, and for dogs who have been in the home less than a month.

$225 FOR a 75-MINUTE SESSION IN YOUR HOME or online

 
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Image of a Dalmatian sitting on the grass.

getting it right, right from the beginning

What You’ll Learn

Whether you’re waiting for a puppy from a breeder or browsing for adult dogs on rescue websites, I can help you plan so you bring home a joy — not a frustration. We’ll cover:

  • Considerations before you even start looking for a puppy or dog — for instance Dalmatians, like the lovely dog pictured, are adorable, smart, and loving, and have very high energy levels … they can also be “aloof with strangers,” which may not suit all households with frequent visitors

  • What to expect when your new buddy comes home

  • Setting up your home for house-training, chew training, and alone time training

  • How to introduce your new buddy to other household animal companions

  • Ensuring any new dog will fit your lifestyle

  • Safety (and fun) with children and dogs

 

Book Your Consultation

Pre-Pup and Dog Counseling will help you bring home your new canine companion with confidence, setting up you and your buddy for a lifetime of success.

 
 

YOU MAY BE WONDERING...

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Our lives have a way of changing over time, and a dog who fit perfectly into your lifestyle a decade ago may be quite different from the most appropriate canine companion for you now.

    For instance, I often work with people who have always had large dogs but who now no longer have the physical ability to manage a large dog on leash.

    This session will bring all that to light in a nonjudgmental way and while dogs are all individuals, you want to bring home a joy, not a frustration.

  • We’ll meet and discuss how a new canine companion will fit into your life, setting realistic expectations from the start!

    We’ll also tour your home (either in person or online) to check out how we can set up house-training, chew training, and alone time training for success.

  • While selecting a dog is something you will do, when we meet we’ll dig into your daily routine, exercise, and household setup and what a dog’s daily routine, exercise, and household needs might be.

    I can help you “decode” breed descriptions and understand how, for instance, a dog breed who is described as “aloof” may find it a challenge to accept strangers in the home.

    For instance, many people get a dog thinking it will help them go out for walks. While that often does work, we need to consider the dog’s energy requirements and ensure they match yours!

  • While all dogs are individuals, we’ll discuss what type of canine temperament is likely to be the best possible match for your family.

    A lot depends on your children’s age and previous experience with dogs, which we will talk about!

  • Yes!

    If your dog has been home a month or less, we can meet to see how things are going and discuss exercise, enrichment, managing for a safe environment, and any behavior issues.

    If you’d like to do manners training, I will send along a training proposal after we meet, customized to your needs.

  • You’ll have a solid foundation to get started, and I’m always available for quick follow-up questions or additional training sessions if needed.

 

unsure if you need this?

Get Started With A Free Consultation

Let’s meet and chat in a free online session.

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TRAINING THAT BUILDS TRUST

My Approach

I believe in training methods that build trust, not fear. My approach is force-free and rewards-based, which means your dog will learn through positive reinforcement, making training a fun and engaging experience for both of you.

With my one-on-one coaching, you’ll get personalized guidance tailored to your puppy’s unique personality and your family’s needs. I’ll help you every step of the way, from mastering basic manners to solving common puppy challenges.

Together, we’ll create a customized training plan that breaks everything down into manageable steps, so your dog feels confident and successful at every stage. We’ll create a loving, structured environment where your dog can thrive.