Starlight Bernedoodles Puppy Training

All our puppies get our Head Start Training Program with our expert Trainer - This is included in our puppy price!

CLICK HERE to complete our Puppy Application!

Meet Kay

Starlight Bernedoodles Expert Dog Trainer - Kay!

A graduate of the Animal Behavior College, Kay combines her academic foundation with hands-on expertise. Her exceptional reputation is underscored by her status as an American Kennel Club Temperament Test and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and her active membership in the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).

Kay's career spans a wide range of roles, from training and behavior modification to managing care for domestic, farm, and exotic animals. She even spent a few years on the local K9 Search and Rescue team! Kay has a special way with dogs who need a little help with things like anxiety, reactivity and aggression. She is a ‘Mentor Trainer’ with the ABC, educating the next generation of dog trainers. Kay also partners with a few local rescue 501c3 organizations and offers free and discounted services for recently rescued dogs from 4EverYours Rescue!

Her approach is rooted in positive reinforcement, ensuring humane and effective training tailored to each dog's unique needs. Dedicated to fostering better relationships and communication between dogs and their owners, Kay's commitment to excellence, professionalism, and compassion makes her an invaluable resource for clients seeking expert training and behavioral support.

Kay lives on a small, yet fully-functioning, homestead in the beautiful Sierra Mountains. Her training center is neighbor to chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits and one very loud goose! (Amazing socialization opportunities!) When Kay isn’t training dogs or hiking with them in the mountains, she is often found in a peaceful sunny spot, enjoying a good book.

Link to Kay's website: https://www.caninecommunication.dog/about

Head Start Training Basics

Starlight Bernedoodles Trainer

This program has been developed in conjunction with local high-quality breeders to give your puppies the best headstart

possible in life, for whatever they may do!

Especially geared towards setting the proper foundation for therapy or service work; this program starts at 5 weeks old. By the time the puppies go home at 8 weeks they will already have a solid foundation with positive reinforcement training and the groundwork started of the treat to verbal que association. Puppies will understand how to follow treat lures, will understand a verbal positive reinforcement marker and will understand how to perform the following cue commands with a treat lure:

Sit, down, touch, focus, spin.
They will also have started their ‘auto-sit!’

Not only will the puppies who go through our program understand all of these things; they will be excited to do them! We instill not only an association to a verbal marker, but a love and joy for learning and practicing.

Puppies will have had a very brief introduction to a crate and the “in your crate” command and will be comfortable wearing a harness and leash. These are still very young puppies and will need both reinforcement and continued training when they come home. These puppies will have had an incredible training head start and are going to be immediately ready for training when you bring them home!

If you’re looking for a more in-depth training package that includes things like overnight crate training, potty training, understanding hand commands without a treat lure, an automatic sit and a dog who can loose leash walk next to you nicely; then check out the board and train options!

Board & Train Options with Kay

Are you overwhelmed with the idea of crate or potty training a puppy? Would you love to skip the “puppy velociraptor” stage and bring home a well-behaved, socialized pup? Maybe you have an older dog with specific behaviors or cues to work on. Our custom training plans are perfect for pups of any age! From specialized programs for puppy foundations to advanced dog obedience, crate and potty training, and behavior rehabilitation, we tailor the length and program to your goals. Packages listed are just a starting point!

2 week B&T

With this two-week program, you’ll bring home a puppy who already knows the basics! Puppies will learn: Focus, Come, Sit, Down, Touch, Shake, Spin, Stay, Wait, On Your Bed, and In Your Crate. They’ll also be introduced to Leave-It and Drop-It commands and will perform cues with both hand and verbal signals.

Your puppy will have polite house manners, including not jumping on people, waiting politely at doors and for food, and sitting automatically for attention. They’ll also be crate and potty trained, ready to continue intermediate obedience training.

This package requires either the HeadStart Training Package (1.) or an additional week of training. Includes one private in-person or video session during boarding and one private session after the dog returns home

Price: $1997

4 week B&T

This program builds on the basics. Puppies will transition from treat lures to responding to hand signals and verbal cues, even with distractions present. They’ll also learn polite loose leash walking around people, dogs, and other distractions.

Intermediate training includes off-leash obedience foundations, scent and nose-work games, and advanced manners like sitting politely for greetings without jumping, nipping, or barking. They’ll be ready for public outings and adventures with other dogs and people.

Includes two private video or in-person training lessons during boarding and two follow-up sessions after the dog returns home. Lifetime discounts on Board and Train Touch-Ups are also included!

Price: $3797

6 week B&T

The Advanced package is designed for puppies to master all cues in high-distraction, public environments and off-leash settings. Commands include Sit, Shake, Down, Touch, Focus, Spin, Wait, On Your Bed, In Your Crate, Go Around, Place, Let’s Go (loose-leash walking), Free Time, Come, Stay.

Your dog will be able to recall and stay off-leash, loose-leash walk through crowds, and have polite public manners. They’ll also be crate trained, potty trained, and exhibit excellent house manners—no jumping, barking, or nipping. Dogs will understand Leave-It and Drop-It and be comfortable interacting with other dogs and people.

Includes lifetime training support, three private lessons during boarding, and two follow-up sessions after returning home. Lifetime discounts on Board and Train Touch-Ups are included!

Price: $5697

CLICK HERE to complete our Puppy Application!

Mini and Medium Bernedoodles

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