Puppy Training

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting things you can do, and it is also one of the best opportunities you will ever have to set your dog up for a lifetime of good behavior. The habits and patterns your puppy develops in those first few months will stay with them for years.

At Evergreen School for Dogs, we work with puppy owners throughout Snohomish County, including Arlington, Marysville, Everett, Lake Stevens, Stanwood, Camano Island, and Mount Vernon. Many of our clients also come to us from the greater Seattle area.

Why Early Training Matters

The early months of a puppy's life are the most important window for learning. Puppies are constantly forming habits and figuring out how to interact with the world around them. Starting training early gives you the chance to build good habits before problem behaviors have a chance to take root.

With the right guidance during this period, your puppy can learn:

Reliable recall and attention
Polite leash walking
Basic obedience commands
Proper social behavior around people and other dogs
Good manners inside the home

Common Puppy Challenges We Help With

Most new puppy owners contact us for help with at least one of these:

Puppy biting and nipping
House training and crate training
Jumping on people
Pulling on the leash
Barking and excitement around other dogs
Difficulty focusing or listening

If any of these sound familiar, you are not alone and we can help.

How We Work With Puppies

For puppies between 8 and 16 weeks of age, we typically recommend starting with a private lesson in your home or through our online training program. Working in the home environment is especially effective at this stage since that is where most of the early challenges actually happen, and it allows us to address house training, crate training, and everyday manners right where they occur.

For puppies 5 months and older, additional options become available including group classes, board and train, and day training. If you are not sure where to start, an Initial Behavior Consultation is a great way to get a clear plan in place.

Group Classes

We do not offer traditional beginner puppy group classes. We do believe they can be beneficial for early socialization and are a cost effective way to get started, but we prefer to work with our clients individually first, in the home, where a young puppy can focus and learn without the distraction of a room full of other puppies they just want to play with.

Our group classes are offered at an intermediate level. To join, your puppy should have completed at least one private lesson or one of our training programs with us. On occasion we also welcome students who have completed a course with another trainer.

If you are not sure whether your puppy is ready for group classes, just reach out and we can help you figure out the right next step.

Online Training for Young Puppies

Our online training programs, developed by Tommy Grammer, are an excellent option for young puppies, especially in those first weeks before your puppy is fully vaccinated. You can begin building structure, consistency, and clear communication with your puppy right away, at your own pace from home.

Growing With Your Dog

One of the things we love most about working with puppies is watching them grow. Many of our clients start with us during puppyhood and continue developing their dog's skills as they mature into adults. As your dog progresses, we can help with advanced obedience, off-leash reliability, public behavior, and any new challenges that come up along the way.

Puppies that start with us are also excellent candidates for our Board and Train programs once they reach around 5 months of age, giving them a strong jump start into more advanced training.

Ready to Get Started?

If you have just brought home a new puppy and want help building a strong foundation, we would love to work with you. Reach out and we will help you figure out the best place to start.

Book a Consultation