Training Philosophy
Puppy Obedience Training, and how we teach these skills
Congratulations on your new puppy! Our puppy obedience programs are personalized to your puppy’s unique needs, and we use science-based training methods that include operant conditioning, where desired behaviors are reinforced through rewards, and classical conditioning, where puppies learn through associations.
Our Puppy Obedience Training Program teaches your puppy socialization skills, to reliably respond to commands, including “recall”, “place”, “sit”, “wait”, and “down”, leash walking, potty training, and proper manners with people and other dogs. We do not use aversive stimuli such as shock collars, as it can be harmful to your dog’s wellbeing and behavior. All of our programs are conducted through one-on-one private training sessions, so that your dog will have the trainer’s full attention across every session.
Whether you would like to take your puppy out to dog-friendly restaurants, play at dog parks, or love to explore trails, this training program will teach your dog to be confident and calm when exploring. For information on the initial steps when bringing a puppy home, we recommend you check out our “Bringing Puppy Home” blog, written by our co-founder, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Echterling-Savage.
Benefits of Obedience Training
Our team, led by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Sean Savage, have over 50 years of combined experience teaching puppies obedience commands, socialization skills, good manners, and treating behavioral challenges. During this program, your puppy will learn to reliably follow commands, become more confident, and be exposed to a variety of dogs and people to develop strong socialization skills. You will be able to take your puppy out in public with the confidence that your puppy will not be too anxious or stressed, will handle new experiences, and will interact appropriately with both people and other dogs.
Training Programs
In our Puppy Obedience and Manners Behavior Modification Package, we offer one-on-one virtual sessions with Dr. Echterling-Savage, our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB). Dr. Echterling-Savage is one of only a few Board Certified Behavior Analysts specializing in Applied Animal Behavior, with only around 50 CAABs in the country. With decades of expertise, including published research on canine behavior, Dr. Echterling-Savage is a leading expert in her field, making her consultations an invaluable opportunity for those seeking long lasting change.
Dr. Echterling-Savage will connect with you virtually to evaluate your puppy’s behavior, designing a training program that addresses your puppy’s specific needs. After your initial meeting, Dr. Echterling-Savage will continue to offer guidance and troubleshoot puppy training scenarios, ensuring ongoing progress in your puppy’s training. This program runs for five weeks.
In our Puppy Obedience Wellness Retreat, your dog will be taught essential obedience commands, manners, and have behavioral issues addressed, which includes:
Program Includes:
Depending on the distance from Tampa Bay, travel may be complimentary or require a small additional cost.
Behavioral research shows that puppies generalize their skills most effectively when taught across multiple environments (such as at home, in parks, on trails, and in shops) and in the presence of various distractions. During this program, your dog will be trained to respond reliably to commands and to be confident in a variety of situations.
Our training programs use science-based training methods that includes classical conditioning, which helps dogs associate certain cues with specific outcomes, and operant conditioning, which uses rewards and consequences to reinforce desired behaviors.
Your dog will be trained by Dr. Echterling Savage and Sean Savage while staying in their Tampa Bay home.
Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology, specializing in animal behavior. She has over 20 years of experience teaching dogs high-level obedience, manners, and addressing complex behavioral challenges. Dr. Echterling-Savage also trains and mentors Beyond the Dog’s trainers.
Sean Savage is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). He brings over two decades of experience training obedience, manners, and treating complex problem behaviors.
Together, they ensure every retreat delivers personalized, science-based training that delivers exceptional results in both home and public settings. While staying with Kristyn and Sean, your dog will live as part of the family and enjoy a balanced schedule of exercise, play, and downtime.
This program begins when you have submitted your completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior”, which allows us to understand more about your dog’s behavioral history. You will then meet with Dr. Echterling-Savage for a virtual consultation to discuss your training goals and any behavioral challenges. Dr. Echterling-Savage will use this information to create a personalized training plan for your puppy.
Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will then transport your dog from your home to their home in Tampa Bay, where they will be part of the family, with dedicated training time and leisure time over the next four weeks. Your dog will explore Tampa Bay’s parks, trails, shops, farmer’s markets, and dog-friendly beaches where they will practice high-level obedience skills, good manners, and have positive behaviors reinforced.
Throughout the program, you will receive regular progress reports, email, and phone updates. At the end of the four-week wellness retreat, Dr. Echterling-Savage or Sean Savage will bring your dog back home, where you will receive 4.5 hours of return and follow-up lessons across multiple sessions. These lessons will teach you how to manage their newly learned skills and ensure long-term success in their training.