Puppy Protégé Dog Training

03/06/2025

Please consider fostering or adopting Hamilton. He’s a great dog that needs someone willing to put in the time to build a bond. If you can’t adopt, share his story and help him find his forever home! 🐾

09/25/2024

09/13/2024

NEW CLASS ALERT!

You've been asking and we've finally got it on the calendar. Puppy Power-Up: Advanced Training for Growing Pups is our new advanced obedience course for dogs that have already completed Puppy Social Hour (PSH). Our first class will meet on October 24th @ 6pm. Classes will meet on Thursdays at 6pm for four weeks. We will review and build on cues learned in PSH, such as hand targets, sit, place, and recall as well as learn some new cues like heel, drop it/take-it, and down/settle. We will discuss any challenges you are facing, like separation anxiety, demand behaviors (barking, jumping, pawing, etc.), and reactivity. We will also teach you and your dog some new engagement games!

For more details, click here: https://www.puppyprotege.com/what-to-expect-pp-u

09/06/2024

PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR

This is your last chance to sign up for Puppy Social Hour starting Tuesday, September 10th @ 6pm. We meet every Tuesday & Thursday for four weeks at Steckelberg Vet Clinic. Your 8-24 week old puppy will learn fundamentals needed to become a wonderful adult dog. Please reach out with questions. We look forward to working with this next group of puppies!

08/30/2024

How can we help?

Though we currently only offer puppy classes, we do understand there are plenty of dogs (and owners) out there 6mo+ that are needing help. Where does your dog struggle? Jumping? Barking? Separation anxiety? What behaviors do you struggle with?

08/30/2024

PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR

Sign up now for our next round of puppy classes, starting Tuesday, September 10th! These classes meet twice a week for four weeks; during this time, your puppy will gain a foundation for impulse control, emotional regulation, and socialization. Puppies 8-24 weeks of age and who are fully vaccinated are welcome to attend; just send us a message and we will get you an application!

08/26/2024

Happy National Dog Day!!

Hope everyone has a great day with their pups. Feel free to drop a picture in the comments 🐶

08/25/2024

Preventing Food Aggression

Myth: Putting your hands in your dogs food dish while they are eating will prevent food aggression/resource guarding.

Reality: What you are actually teaching your dog is that every time you walk by, there is the possibility you may take their food away. Depending on their temperament, they may feel they need to protect the food so you don't continue to take it away; thus, you inadvertently have created food aggression instead of prevented it.

What to do instead: Every time you walk by your dog eating, drop a high value treat for them (only if they are NOT growling/stiff/protective); you may have to start this at a distance. Eventually, you can trade your dog's bowl for a high value treat. Then, they learn that you picking up the food dish means they get something even better!

P.S. This is Toby, available for adoption at the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown. He's a good boy (no known resource guarding issues, just a cute pup to post) who needs a loving home!

08/22/2024

Your puppy's true personality may not be established until 2-3 years of age when they fully mature. We often hear from struggling pet owners around 9 months of age and it is important to remember that even if your dog appears fully grown, it is not done developing mentally. This is a tough period of time as most puppies have reached sexual maturity and have an abundance of energy but have not yet reached social maturity. During this time, we often see over-friendly adolescent pups rushing other dogs, barking, and exhibiting frustration behaviors. It is important to work through these behaviors together and teach your young dog how to handle themselves appropriately so when they reach adulthood, you can enjoy a confident and content dog.

08/17/2024

PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR

Our next Puppy Social Hour starts Tuesday, September 10th! This class goes over puppy basics, like learning not to jump, learning how to settle, and appropriate group play. We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks. Please message us if you are interested and we will gladly get you more information!

04/19/2024

Congrats to Layla, Bitzy, and Buck on completing Puppy Social Hour! They made a lot of progress and we wish them the best moving forward!

03/08/2024

Tonight was the final class for this group of puppies. We are so impressed with the progress they have all made and can’t wait to see where they go! Congrats Jax, Milo, Gracie, and Josie!

02/27/2024

Let’s see your pups! Comment your favorite picture of your dog. 🐶

02/26/2024

Wishing Kristi a wonderful birthday today!

02/24/2024

PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR

Our next group of puppy social hour will begin Tuesday, March 12 @ 6pm. This class is a foundation course for puppies under six months of age where they learn about impulse control and socialize with other people and dogs. We discuss common behavioral issues such as potty training, jumping, and nipping. Let us know if you’re interested!

02/16/2024

Milo is doing great at Puppy Social Hour. He’s the youngest in the group, but he has plenty of s***k. He’s a little unsure about some things, but we are working on building his confidence!