Support & Guidance for Puppy Owners
Puppy Training for Small to Medium Breed Puppies in the Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley & Baildon Areas
Feeling a little overwhelmed since adding a new puppy to your life?
Determined to get training right after mistakes with a previous dog?
Need someone to turn to with all your burning questions?
I’m here to help you through the difficult task of raising a puppy responsibly.
Let me take you & your puppy under my wing & provide you with everything you need to get things right from the start.
This is the start of your story together, let’s make sure it’s a beautiful one.
Bringing Your Puppy Home Was So Exciting, But Then Reality Set In…
You love your puppy. You’re determined to be a responsible owner & get their training & socialisation right, but you have so many questions…
- Where should they be sleeping overnight?
- What should you be training them?
- Is it ok for them to meet other dogs?
- How do you stop them biting so much?
- Are you doing toilet training right?
- How can they be left alone while you work without whining or barking?
- How do you teach them to walk nicely on a lead?
It’s a bit of a minefield! But that’s where I come in.
Patchwork Puppies was set up to answer all these questions & more, providing an invaluable education & training programme for puppy owners just like you.
It’s my mission to help puppy owners feel informed & confident about raising their puppy, so they can focus on what truly matters – forming a loving bond that lasts a lifetime.
Did You Know?
The First 4 Months of Your Puppy’s Life Are Critical for Training & Socialisation
Experiences your puppy has during this “Critical Socialisation Period” set the blueprint for the rest of their life. Patterns & perceptions from this period like, “When the lead goes on, I pull” or, “Other dogs are scary & might hurt me” can stay with your puppy forever, causing behaviour problems that are hard to fix.
Over 95% of Puppies Bought During the Pandemic Ended Up Having Behaviour Problems
Being home with their puppy 24/7 with no guidance or support has meant that a huge number of dog owners are now living drastically altered lives around their dog’s problem behaviours. Think 6am walks to avoid other dogs, no guests allowed to visit & no leaving the dog at home without noise complaints from the neighbours. And those are the people who chose to keep their dogs – many ended up in rescue.
Behaviour Problems Are the Leading Cause of Puppies & Adolescent Dogs Being Surrendered to Rescues
Behaviour problems in dogs can be hugely difficult for everyone involved. Many families have made the heartbreaking decision to surrender their puppy because of behaviour issues they felt were insurmountable. With no education on puppy rearing needed before getting one & very little support once they reach their new home, it’s no wonder that people are struggling.
An Alternative to Puppy Classes
Traditionally, puppy classes have been the only option for owners who want to be responsible & prevent behaviour problems from the start, but are they right for you & your puppy? The noisy & stressful class environment is not the best place for most puppies to learn & owners often come away feeling frazzled.
Patchwork Puppies was set up to offer an alternative to puppy classes, giving you & your puppy the skills to navigate life together without the stress & hassle of attending classes. Click below to find out more.
How It All Works
1
Let’s Chat!
Start by messaging me on WhatsApp & let’s get to know each other!
Whether you commit to a training programme or not, you will come away with insights into your puppy’s behaviour & some ideas on what you could be working on with them.
On my end, I’ll be finding out a little about what life currently looks like for you & your puppy & whether or not my programme would be a good fit for you.
2
Walk & Talk
Next comes the walk & talk – an in-person meet-up to help us get to know each other further & for me to meet your puppy for the first time!
We meet at your house so that I can have a look at your set up & see how your puppy behaves at home. We then head out for a short walk together so i can have a look at her behaviour in the outside world too!
There are no rights or wrongs here, this is just for me to further make sure that we would all work well together & for you to really get a feel for me & my ethos before committing to a programme.
3
Taking the Leap
Now the fun really begins – it’s time to start your Patchwork Puppies programme!
You & your puppy will be guided through all the essential skills it takes to be a happy, well-rounded dog in today’s modern world.
You will gain a deep understanding of your puppy – what makes him tick & how to channel his natural instincts in a way that gets his whole body wagging.
And the thing that makes Patchwork Puppies truly unique? Your puppy will get to spend quality time each week in a group of safe, puppy-friendly dogs, learning nuanced social skills that will set him up for life. In a world of single-dog households & meeting untrained dogs on the street, this experience is invaluable for your puppy!
Who Is Patchwork Puppies For?
Patchwork Puppies is for you if you:
- Have a puppy aged 2-8 months.
- Have a small-medium breed puppy (est. adult size 6 – 18kg).
- Live in the Saltaire, Shipley, Baildon or Bingley area.
- Want to understand your puppy on a deeper level.
- See your puppy as a member of your family, not just a pet.
- Are keen to set your puppy up with strong training foundations & prevent behaviour issues in the future.
- Want to socialise your puppy properly but aren’t sure how to go about it, or don’t have access to puppy-safe dogs.
- Feel a bit lost & overwhelmed since getting your puppy & want someone on hand to be your support network.
- Want to truly enjoy training your puppy in sessions that are positive & playful.
- Want your puppy to be your lifelong go-everywhere-together buddy, but need help setting them up with the skills they’ll need.
Who Is It Not For?
Unfortunately, the training programme is not for you if you:
- Have a puppy of 9 months or older.
- Have a large or giant breed puppy (est. adult weight 19kg+).
- Are looking for someone to ‘fix’ your puppy for you.
- Don’t want to learn the ‘why’ behind your puppy’s behaviour
- Can’t commit a little time to training your puppy each day.
- Want someone who uses harsh corrections or strong punishments such as prong collars or electric collars.
Sound like we’re a good match? Message me to get started.
Meet Your Trainer
Hi, I’m Niki
I’m passionate about dog behaviour & have spent the last 15+ years helping people raise their puppies into the wonderful companion dogs they were meant to be.
I have built a deep understanding of dogs over the years & am determined to use this to provide proper support & guidance for puppy owners who are so often left to figure things out on their own.
My mission is to help you understand your unique puppy & to give you the skills you need to help her reach her full potential.