Puppy Resources
In July 2018, I brought home a new Border Collie/Aussie mix puppy, now named Murphy. With Murphy added to my house hold, I decided to create this page, dedicated to help prepare new puppy owners for the journey ahead of them, and (hopefully) ensure both owner and puppy to get the best start possible.
Preparation is key in order to build a great life together and should start BEFORE you even get the puppy home.
In order to be prepared, you need knowledge. With the internet, you have access to a lot of free information. But often the information you find is simply overwhelming and even some times contradicting. So on this page here, I will try and help you by offering access to some of the training and information, that I have used with Murphy with the goal in mind to help you get more knowledgeable about what it actually means to bring a puppy into your household.
So, do yourself and your soon-to-be family member a small favor and spend a bit of time reading the following articles and watch the videos. It might just save you from a lot of frustration.
Please always feel free to reach out for professional training support. I do offer both Puppy Basic Manners classes as well as in-home Private Training sessions and Day training (I pick up for your puppy for training with me in public. Great for busy families) to specifically help you and your puppy get the support needed, so you can get the best start possible.
Please know that I often help customize training packages to my clients with a mix of Private training sessions, Day training sessions and Group classes - whatever works best with your daily life and work schedule.
You can contact me by sending me an email to [email protected].
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Preparation is key in order to build a great life together and should start BEFORE you even get the puppy home.
In order to be prepared, you need knowledge. With the internet, you have access to a lot of free information. But often the information you find is simply overwhelming and even some times contradicting. So on this page here, I will try and help you by offering access to some of the training and information, that I have used with Murphy with the goal in mind to help you get more knowledgeable about what it actually means to bring a puppy into your household.
So, do yourself and your soon-to-be family member a small favor and spend a bit of time reading the following articles and watch the videos. It might just save you from a lot of frustration.
Please always feel free to reach out for professional training support. I do offer both Puppy Basic Manners classes as well as in-home Private Training sessions and Day training (I pick up for your puppy for training with me in public. Great for busy families) to specifically help you and your puppy get the support needed, so you can get the best start possible.
Please know that I often help customize training packages to my clients with a mix of Private training sessions, Day training sessions and Group classes - whatever works best with your daily life and work schedule.
You can contact me by sending me an email to [email protected].
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Preparing for your puppy
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Are you thinking about getting a new puppy ? Take a minute (or eleven!) and watch this video, where I list a few things to consider when getting a puppy. Quick note: I did forget to talk about Canine Care such as veterinarian care, grooming, chiropractic care and more - all just as important as any of the other topics I mention in this video. |
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Puppy Training
Training should start as soon as your new puppy has arrived into your home. The skills you teach now, helps your puppy make better choices and therefore be more successful in your home. Blue Creek Canine offers a variety of training options for puppies. You can attend a Group Training Class or sign up for Private sessions (see Puppy Package below) or a combination of both ( what I highly recommend!) Our Puppy Package comes highly recommended as it offers a combination of several services and a multitude of training support both in your home as well as out in public. But if you are looking for "do-it-yourself" training videos, I do have a Puppy Play list on YouTube to help get you started with some of the basic manners. Click here to be directed to my YouTube Puppy Playlist. |
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The Puppy Package - Only $799 (for puppies age 2-6 months)
There’s no better time to start training than when you first bring your puppy home! No need to wait until vaccines are finished to begin your puppy’s education. It’s much easier to prevent problem behaviors now, then to fix them later! This package is designed to give you and your puppy a great start together with focus on relationship building, efficient communication - especially when teaching your puppy new skills, implementation of house rules, successful potty training schedule, proper socialization and so much more. Recommend for all owners wishing to prevent problems before they start. We will have our training sessions at Blue Creek Canine's Training Facility, at your home and/or out in public - whatever we find fitting for the skills we are working on. |
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This package includes:
Cost is $799 (within city limits).
Please add additional $1 per mile outside city limits
If needed, extra training sessions can be added for $95/hour
After completing this training plan, your puppy and you will have a firm foundation to build on. Keep in mind, your puppy will not mature until 2-3 years of age ( depending on breed) , so training needs to be ongoing. Commit to the training exercises, and you will reach the goals you have for your puppy.
- 7 Private Training sessions (1st initial session is 90-120 minutes, the following sessions are between 40-60 minutes depending on the training exercises)
- Free Access to Puppy Play Groups (Sunday mornings)
- Free Access to Online Canine Enrichment Self-study course
- Unlimited access to Trainings Resources and Videos
- Continuous Email and Phone support throughout the duration of this training package
Cost is $799 (within city limits).
Please add additional $1 per mile outside city limits
If needed, extra training sessions can be added for $95/hour
After completing this training plan, your puppy and you will have a firm foundation to build on. Keep in mind, your puppy will not mature until 2-3 years of age ( depending on breed) , so training needs to be ongoing. Commit to the training exercises, and you will reach the goals you have for your puppy.
Day Training
As a new service, Blue Creek Canine now also offer day training, which include your puppy being picked up ( if you live within city limits), your puppy going to 1-2 new locations with me to work on proper socialization as well as training skills in public, and your puppy being brought home again. This is usually 75-90 minutes per session. This service is a great addition to the Puppy Package, if you are working full time, and are struggling to find the time to work and expose your puppy to new environments.
This service is $99 per session.
If interested in learning more about your training options, please contact Camilla with Blue Creek Canine by emailing [email protected]
As a new service, Blue Creek Canine now also offer day training, which include your puppy being picked up ( if you live within city limits), your puppy going to 1-2 new locations with me to work on proper socialization as well as training skills in public, and your puppy being brought home again. This is usually 75-90 minutes per session. This service is a great addition to the Puppy Package, if you are working full time, and are struggling to find the time to work and expose your puppy to new environments.
This service is $99 per session.
If interested in learning more about your training options, please contact Camilla with Blue Creek Canine by emailing [email protected]
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Potty Training
Potty training can often become a cause of frustration - for both owner and puppy. But it doesn't have to be. In this short video I explain how you and your puppy can both get off to a great start. Structure , management and adding value to the wanted behavior, are all key components for potty training success. And remember, always kind hands! |
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Socialization (Critical from 5-15 weeks of age)
It is their sensitive period for socialization and it is the most important socialization period in a dog’s life. This is not something you can postpone. Puppies who do not get adequate socialization during this period tend to be fearful of unfamiliar people, or dogs, or sounds, objects and environments, so I cannot emphasize enough the importance of introducing your puppy to new stimulus already when you get him/her home. Veterinary behaviorists and other trained behavior specialists recommend puppies attend a puppy socialization class and practice regularly, but what types of interactions should puppies actually have? While some owners focus just on exposing puppies to many people and situations, it’s important to actually make sure that the puppy is having a positive experience and learning something good. Proper Socialization When talking about the importance of socialization, it is imperative to talk about proper socialization. Laura VanArendonk Baugh wrote a great article, "Don't socialize the dog", where she talks about HOW to ensure you are helping your dog progress with new challenges , such as meeting new people or new objects. Quote:" Good socialization introduces a puppy or dog to something new, maybe even challenges the dog a little. Good socialization provides a positive experience for the dog"......."But too often people think only of showing the puppy new things, without taking care that the puppy feels very successful. In fact, sometimes what people intend as helpful socialization creates more problems than it prevents." Read full article here : Don't socialize the dog Proper socialization also doesn't mean, that your dog should say "HI" and greet everybody he or she meets. Quite the contrary. When on a leash and out and about, I only let very few people engage with my puppy. It is more important that my puppy learn to calmly observe the environment instead of engaging too much, thus finding more value in other people and dogs than me. That can become a big problem later on in life if my puppy, now maybe a full blown teenager, thinks that he needs to go say hi to everybody we meet on a walk and tries to drag me to them. So keep in mind, calm and patient behavior around stimuli is our goal. This will benefit you and your puppy for the rest of his/her life. 
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Puppy Play Groups.
Come and join the fun every Sunday morning with your puppy. For only $5, your puppy will enjoy playing with other puppies and learn crucial social and play skills. The playtime is 30 minutes and will be supervised.
We do not accept puppies that go to dog parks. It is a safety and health concern ! If you have a newly adopted dog from the Billings area or one of the Reservation Rescues, you will need to be up-to-date on Parvo/Distemper vaccinations and have had your dog for at least 2 weeks before attending one of our classes, private sessions or puppy play groups. |
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It is recommended to start your puppy in a play group and a training class already at 10 weeks.
To see when a new puppy class starts, please visit the Group class page or the Online Shop.
To stay informed about upcoming classes and events, please sign up for the Newsletter.
House rules and Management
Rules and management is important from day 1 you bring your new puppy home.
It is a good idea to start thinking about your "rules" at home and what you need to teach your puppy , so (s)he can be successful in the home. Start to write it down. Examples:
Where do you want her/him to be when you eat dinner? If on a mat or a specific place, then teach her/him "go to mat" or "go to kennel" as a part of your training.
What do you want your puppy to do when people come to visit? If settle on a mat, teach her/him that or to go to kennel. It is important that you practice this without visitors first. And first when your puppy is responding correctly 85% -100% of the time, do you add distractions ( visitors). Have your puppy on a leash first so (s)he can't run up to people and jump on them, thus practicing the unwanted behavior. And reward the calm behavior. So there is value in staying calm next to you instead of trying to run up to visitors.
Which behavior would you like to see when you open the door to go outside? if you want a calm wait behavior, then teach your puppy wait at door.
When you are in the kitchen, where would you like her to be? If not in the kitchen with you, teach her "out of the kitchen" or use your "go to mat" .
Your job is to teach your the skills needed to live in your household.
Rules and management is important from day 1 you bring your new puppy home.
It is a good idea to start thinking about your "rules" at home and what you need to teach your puppy , so (s)he can be successful in the home. Start to write it down. Examples:
Where do you want her/him to be when you eat dinner? If on a mat or a specific place, then teach her/him "go to mat" or "go to kennel" as a part of your training.
What do you want your puppy to do when people come to visit? If settle on a mat, teach her/him that or to go to kennel. It is important that you practice this without visitors first. And first when your puppy is responding correctly 85% -100% of the time, do you add distractions ( visitors). Have your puppy on a leash first so (s)he can't run up to people and jump on them, thus practicing the unwanted behavior. And reward the calm behavior. So there is value in staying calm next to you instead of trying to run up to visitors.
Which behavior would you like to see when you open the door to go outside? if you want a calm wait behavior, then teach your puppy wait at door.
When you are in the kitchen, where would you like her to be? If not in the kitchen with you, teach her "out of the kitchen" or use your "go to mat" .
Your job is to teach your the skills needed to live in your household.
"Sit for Please" is a great routine and easy for you to remember. The point is to ask you to sit for :attention, leash on, treat, before open door..and so on. If you are consistent with asking for a sit, your puppy will pick it up, quite quickly. Disclaimer: IF you feel that when you ask for a sitting behavior, your puppy instead gets more stressed and frustrated, then don't ask for the sit. Just wait for a calm behavior and then release for the reward. Emotions are more important that the actual behavior! So we need our puppis to feel safe in the process...otherwise the behavior, such as asking for a sit, will only add to the stress.
In puppy class I also mention the SMART50 protocol, which is focused on your praising and acknowledging whenever your puppy is making good choices throughout the day. It helps tell your dog which behaviors are desired by you. Add when you add value by reinforcing these behaviors, your puppy will repeat them. Simple! So more "yes" , than "no".
See file below.
In puppy class I also mention the SMART50 protocol, which is focused on your praising and acknowledging whenever your puppy is making good choices throughout the day. It helps tell your dog which behaviors are desired by you. Add when you add value by reinforcing these behaviors, your puppy will repeat them. Simple! So more "yes" , than "no".
See file below.
| smart50.docx |
Enrichment activities (mental stimulation)
Mental stimulation is crucial for puppies because it keeps their minds sharp, prevents boredom, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being. Just like humans, dogs benefit from engaging their brains, which can lead to better training, reduced destructive behaviors, and a stronger bond with their owners.
Mental stimulation can be training as well as enrichment activities.
Instead of putting all your dog's food in a food bowel, you should instead use some of the food for a bit of training (5-10 minutes) and save some for the above mentioned SMART50 protocol. And then also use some of your puppy's food for Enrichment activities. Often we, the owners, are mainly focused on meeting our dog’s physical needs, but then we forget to also meet our dog’s mental needs. This “lack” of mental stimulation, can often cause an increase in behavioral issues, such as reactivity, separation distress, destructive chewing behavior. Mental stimulation can help create emotional healthy dogs - Plus, it is just such a joy to watch your puppy problem solve and use his/her brain.
Stimulation for animals, just like humans, is not a luxury but a necessity!
A few easy enrichment activities you can play with your puppy is, hide and seek with his food, toss the food in the yard for your puppy to sniff and find, use a snuffle mat, or some of the variety of kibble/treat dispensing toys and puzzles available on the market today.
If you are interested in a variety of cheap DIY enrichment activities, look into my Online Canine Enrichment Self-study course here. You will get access to 13 instructional videos with a variety of difficulty that you can easily implement in your daily activities with your puppy. Use coupon code: PUPPY50 to get a 50% discount on this Enrichment course.
Mental stimulation is crucial for puppies because it keeps their minds sharp, prevents boredom, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being. Just like humans, dogs benefit from engaging their brains, which can lead to better training, reduced destructive behaviors, and a stronger bond with their owners.
Mental stimulation can be training as well as enrichment activities.
Instead of putting all your dog's food in a food bowel, you should instead use some of the food for a bit of training (5-10 minutes) and save some for the above mentioned SMART50 protocol. And then also use some of your puppy's food for Enrichment activities. Often we, the owners, are mainly focused on meeting our dog’s physical needs, but then we forget to also meet our dog’s mental needs. This “lack” of mental stimulation, can often cause an increase in behavioral issues, such as reactivity, separation distress, destructive chewing behavior. Mental stimulation can help create emotional healthy dogs - Plus, it is just such a joy to watch your puppy problem solve and use his/her brain.
Stimulation for animals, just like humans, is not a luxury but a necessity!
A few easy enrichment activities you can play with your puppy is, hide and seek with his food, toss the food in the yard for your puppy to sniff and find, use a snuffle mat, or some of the variety of kibble/treat dispensing toys and puzzles available on the market today.
If you are interested in a variety of cheap DIY enrichment activities, look into my Online Canine Enrichment Self-study course here. You will get access to 13 instructional videos with a variety of difficulty that you can easily implement in your daily activities with your puppy. Use coupon code: PUPPY50 to get a 50% discount on this Enrichment course.
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Body Language - what is my puppy saying?
It is important that you learn to read your dog's body language, so you can take your puppy out of any situation that causes him/her (or you!) to feel discomfort or stressed. This video is full of great information about dog’s body language: calming signals, stress signals, anxiety and so on. Great resource which I highly recommend anybody to watch. Again, the more you know, the better you will be able to properly handle the situations you will encounter by "listening" to what your dog is telling you. When observing stress signals in your dog, you can now prevent the stimulus around your puppy to trigger a negative reaction by simply walk away (add distance) and thus control the outcome a lot better and create positive memories. Please also find a lot of great information about body language on this website http://www.ispeakdog.org/ |
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Puppy Nipping
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Puppy Nipping: Why It’s Normal & How to Respond
If you’re living with a puppy who loves to nip, bite, or grab with their mouth—you’re not doing anything wrong. Puppy nipping is a completely normal and necessary part of development. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, just like human babies use their hands. Through nipping, they learn about their environment, practice social skills, and figure out how much pressure is appropriate during play. Because nipping is driven by curiosity, excitement, teething, and learning—not “bad behavior”--punishment is not only unnecessary, it can be harmful. Yelling, grabbing, or using physical corrections can increase fear, damage trust, and actually make biting worse over time. Puppies learn best when they feel safe. That’s why we focus on calm responses and kind hands. When we stay relaxed, redirect gently, and teach puppies what to do instead, we help them build self-control, confidence, and good manners. Kind, consistent guidance allows puppies to learn bite inhibition while strengthening the bond between you and your dog—setting the foundation for a happy, trusting relationship for life. Here is a great article about puppy nipping and what to do about it: How to train your puppy to not bite |
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Children and Dogs
Being able to read your dog's body language can be very crucial to ensure appropriate play and interaction between your new puppy and your children.
Supervision is always required and many breaks with child-free and dog-free zones are recommended ( use x-pens or baby gates to create these zones in your home).
Please find some helpful posters and pdf.files below that I highly recommend that you print out and hang up on the refrigerator as a reminder to everyone ( kids included) on how to behave a round a dog.
Teach your children from an early age, that if they want to interact and play with puppy/dog, they should call the dog to them, not just approach. And especially not approach a dog, if he/she eating, sleeping, shewing on a toy or bone. If the puppy/dog responds by coming when your child calls him, the puppy/dog has given consent to the interaction. If the puppy/dog does not come, they most like are not interested. And that should be respected.
Consent is important and can keep everybody safe.
There are many great resources for living with children and dogs:
But it is important that you establish rules for your children when they CAN and CANNOT interact with the puppy.
Being able to read your dog's body language can be very crucial to ensure appropriate play and interaction between your new puppy and your children.
Supervision is always required and many breaks with child-free and dog-free zones are recommended ( use x-pens or baby gates to create these zones in your home).
Please find some helpful posters and pdf.files below that I highly recommend that you print out and hang up on the refrigerator as a reminder to everyone ( kids included) on how to behave a round a dog.
Teach your children from an early age, that if they want to interact and play with puppy/dog, they should call the dog to them, not just approach. And especially not approach a dog, if he/she eating, sleeping, shewing on a toy or bone. If the puppy/dog responds by coming when your child calls him, the puppy/dog has given consent to the interaction. If the puppy/dog does not come, they most like are not interested. And that should be respected.
Consent is important and can keep everybody safe.
There are many great resources for living with children and dogs:
- Family Paws Parent Education
- Colleen Pelar: Living with kids and dogs Colleen has written many books, and especially "Puppy Training for kids" is helpful when you want your children to interact and train the new puppy in the correct way.
But it is important that you establish rules for your children when they CAN and CANNOT interact with the puppy.
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Additional Resources:
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"Perfect puppy in 7 days" by Dr. Sophia Yin I highly recommend this book as an excellent support in combination with your puppy training classes. With over 400 photos, Dr. Yin explains step-by-step why puppies do what they do, how the environment and your training methods help form their personalities, and how quickly puppies can learn when you set them up for success. Chapters include:
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Images from puppy classes.
