I train dogs of all breeds, sizes and all ages.   In dog-trainer land, I have become known as the puppy and all things “Doodle” specialist, and I’m affectionately called the Doodle Whisperer. Puppies can start my boot camps anywhere from 8-weeks of age to one year.  Dogs can start my boot camps at any age.  It’s never too late to establish a great state of mind in your pooch!  My passion for puppies exists because if we get it right here, at this stage in their development, we get it right for a lifetime!  We have one window of opportunity to set the foundation for beneficial and healthy socialization for our pups, and that window is when they are between 8-16 weeks old.   This time is critical because your pup’s learning facilities are fully in place and he is a sponge ready to learn all things good. Or conversely, habits can begin to be entrenched that are less than desirable.  At Aly’s Puppy Boot Camp, your pup will learn to play and work as we encourage your dog’s desire and ability to work for you. Older dogs are welcome as well in my boot camp programs and benefit immensely from the beneficial socialization that happens in my program. Beneficial Socialization is essential to your dog’s mental well-being.  Dogs need to learn how to interact with other dogs in a safe, sane and civilized way. We always expand the skill sets taught, as your dog is ready. Older dogs can add, in addition to all the boot camp basics, impulse control, off-lead work, basic agility, down/stay, and recall as the dog is ready.

You can bring the dog to me yourself, or you  can contact [email protected] to see if we can arrange a transport for you, usually it’s 1.00 per mile.  Dogs can fly into the following airports: Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara.  Be sure to contact me and let me help you coordinate travel arrangements.

I request that pups under 16-weeks of age come directly to me from an approved breeder. Although it is best to have a young pup come directly to me from your breeder, occasionally, it simply cannot happen, and I understand that.   You will need to contact me directly to make arrangements and to receive my “TOP 5 THINGS to START YOUR PUPPY RIGHT” pamphlet. It is my goal to help you focus on the most important issues prior to your pup’s arrival to APBC.

1) Send your crate with your pup! (keep favorite, treasured toys with you…they might not make it through all the boot camp fun.   2)     For puppies, I feed FROMM brand Puppy Food. For adult dogs, I feed FROMM Adult dog food and Wendy Volhard’s Natural Diet Foundation 2. If you want some other kind of food, please provide enough for the duration of your pup’s stay. 3)     For older dogs: Be sure to bring with you copies of all current vaccinations or Titer tests. We must have evidence of these vaccinations or current titer results in our file at the time of arrival. 4)     Please provide any medications or supplements that your pooch may need.

I will give you a complete list of items that I recommend and use daily.  You can even visit my DOG STORE  to purchase any item you desire.

All puppies under 16-weeks that come into my program go to my vet for a wellness visit, and a continuation of their shot series. Receipts will be provided.

In my Puppy and Dog Picker Consultation I help owners consider traits of a future puppy that should be included in the decision-making process beyond an adorable face. It is my goal to give you the tools you need to help you evaluate your future family member and determine which pooch is best for you in terms of temperament, mind-set, and energy. You decide where you want to get your dog from; then we begin the puppy or dog evaluation and picking process. It is worth the effort to help you find the puppy or dog that’s just the right fit with you and your family’s energy levels and personality.Additionally, my evaluations can be done via Skype or Facetime if you are unable to be there in person on your assigned Puppy-Pick day! I also assess litters for breeders.  (Travel charges  apply if your puppy is not within a 25 mile radius of me.)

My training philosophy is that we train our dogs as we are living our daily lives. My Pillars of Pack Leadership® methods break down these concepts into very manageable blocks of information and strategies that real people can implement into their real lives.

To keep you connected, I have daily video/pictures on Facebook for you and you receive DAILY FOUNDATION KNOWLEDGE emails while your pup is in training.  You are very much a part of the daily life of your pup while he is part of our extended family. You are learning right along with your pup. Additionally, on our ‘Graduation Day’, you are required, as part of my contract, to come spend an afternoon with me and your pup before you leave. You will work with me and my pack and your pup and we will create your entire daily routine in your TRANSITION booklet!We will take as much time as is needed for you to flex your Pillars of Pack Leadership® skills. We can also video you working your pup here with me going through our paces so you have a wonderful reference for yourself. It is not necessary for you to visit during your training program.  You are very connected to your pup with all your homework in visual and reading form.

Pups instantly bond to whomever they perceive as their leader.  When pack leadership is effective and appropriate structure is in place, dogs adjust VERY QUICKLY to the environment they are in and they feel very comfortable.  I will create your transition strategy with you, so you will be prepared for life with your pup, in your home.  As you’ll see from my videos at www.youtube.com/user/alykayful/videos , I immediately immerse dogs into my life.   Within a very short period of time, these pups are looking at me adoringly, with tails wagging. You will find the same thing happen for you as well!  Most importantly, we have one window of opportunity to appropriately and correctly socialize your dog with other dogs, and that is when they are 8-16 weeks old.   That’s where Aly’s Puppy Boot Camp® comes in; to appropriately train and beneficially socialize your pup in the safest way possible.   To read more about the importance of proper socialization read this article