What do I need to board?

We will have you set up a client portal and need your dog's current vaccinations from a vet showing age-appropriate rabies, distemper, parvo, bordetella and a negative fecal done within the year. New dogs or dogs who have not been here in over a year will need to do a consultation and are subject to our foundations in four to learn our marker words, recall outside, calm crating, leash manners and proper play. Daycare play is not available for dogs over 6 months that are not fixed or aggressive dogs.

What is the foundations in four?

Before we take new dogs, we schedule a consult to make sure your dog is going to have a low stress, enjoyable stay. Foundations in four teaches safe boarding routines and sets up owner communication, so your dog settles confidently when boarding and you know exactly what to expect during their stay. Foundations in four is four full days, two days a week, that prepares dogs for our care environment. It does not replace a full training program. For our safety and sanity and the other boarding dog's safety and sanity, dogs who do not respond to their name, will not stop when told, excessively bark or whine, engage in destruction, attempt to climb, dig or tear at fences or doors to escape or fight others, potty inside, jump on people and gates, hump others, do not eat or drink, act aggressively or are possessive of people, dogs or objects are subject to more training before we will take them to board while you are on vacation.

How old does my dog need to be for daycare?

3 months with 2 rounds of parvo vaccines done. Dogs over 6 months must be spayed/neutered according to IA IDALS requirements for group play.

Can daycare make my dog like other dogs?

No. Daycare is not for "fixing" dog- aggressive or dog-avoidant dogs. While we may use it in a training plan to rehabilitate a dog, it should not be seen as the only way to socialize a dog. Aggressive dogs are not accepted for daycare.

Do you train dogs with behavioral issues?

Yes, I have years of experience with various behavior issues including: separation anxiety, destruction, crate anxiety, dog-dog aggression, sibling aggression, potty issues, fearful dogs, reactive dogs, submissive peeing, constant barking, counter surfing, trash eating, biting for grooming, owner-possession, food aggression, body mutilation, OCD issues.

Do you train dogs at my home or yours?

We spend 1-12 weeks with your dog staying here, either with a board and train or daytrain program, this allows us to see your dog in a neutral environment and get it out of old habits. After the initial foundations are set up, we do follow up training with you with group lessons, in home lessons, real life lessons in the park or stores or through video chat.

How much does training cost?

Training costs varies based on length, needs, wants, and current behavioral issues. We use the consult to see where you are with your dog, what your wants and needs are and set up a final plan for you. Starting costs for 12 week dayschool- 1,250, 2 week basic board and train- 1,500, foundations in four- 250. Payment plans include half now, half at drop off.

Stop biting! Puppy teething

Cooper Creek Kennels L.L.C
Jan 31, 2019
2 min read

Puppies investigate the world through their mouths, for us it can be very painful and annoying to have sharp puppy teeth grab your hands/arms/legs every two seconds but biting is a normal behavior in puppies. For them, if something is within reach, it will probably be picked up and chewed, if it moves fast, it will definitely get bitten. What they are doing is simply trying to elicit play. Play is by far the best way to bond with your pup and is a great way to reward him during training.

How to play without getting bitten- Use tug toys that he can bite. Old knotted towels/shirts or a favorite toy with string attached will work. You need to encourage him to bite one end of the toy while you hold the other end. Ensure your tug toys are long enough and soft enough for your puppy to bite. Your toy should be able to touch the floor while you are holding the other end. This allows you to keep the game low to the ground and not encourage jumping up. It also puts distance between teeth and hands.

Start by animating the toy on the floor and saying “getit” every time your pup grabs the toy. You hold on to the toy and let him grab it and shake it. Let go of the toy sometimes so that puppy is encouraged to come back to you to get you to start the game again.

Also teach a word for letting go. To do this you simply stop the game by putting a finger in puppies collar and keeping hold of the toy, release the pressure on the toy so that it becomes boring. You can use a cue like “drop it” or as soon as puppy lets go say “thank you” and immediately invite him to grab it again with a “getit”. He will quickly learn to let go when you stop playing in order for the game to start again and eventually the word “drop it” or “thank you” will become his cue to let go.

Keep toys out of your pups reach while they are not being played with. It will keep the pup interested and more likely to want to play with them when given the opportunity. Plant toys around the house (out of puppies reach) so you have them easily accessible and as much as possible, take the game outside.

Once your puppy is getting the idea of the game then you can start to add in a “sit” “are you ready” “wait” before the “getit” and soon you will have a dog sitting and waiting patiently for the game to start.

Do not play with your puppy unless you have a toy for him to grab. Don't let anyone in the house roughhouse with him or roll about on the floor with him. If a puppy starts biting your hands/body immediately stop the game and put the puppy up. They will soon learn that you will stop playing with them if they bite.