The Puppy Specialist
Small Paws, Big Steps
Jennifer Monique Sturgeon, CPDT- KA
EST. 2016
Specialized one-on-one Positive Reinforcement Training sessions for you and your puppy. Our programs are tailored to the developmental phase of your dog, from 8 weeks through Adolescence.
Puppyhood is a unique, brief opportunity to shape your dog’s future. Habits, confidence, and social skills are forming everyday, which can create behaviors that last a lifetime. Investing in professional guidance now is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide time-tested guidance for the adult dog your puppy will become.
With over a decade of professional puppy raising experience, The Puppy Specialist understands the importance of “starting off on the right paw” in life with science-based Positive Reinforcement Training.
Take the guess work out of raising your puppy; Small paws, Big steps.
Meet Your Trainer
Jennifer Monique Sturgeon, CPDT-KA, has worked extensively with owners and their dogs in the Los Angeles area for over the last decade, specializing in early puppy training and socialization.
She strongly believes in the importance of “starting off on the right paw” in life and that science-based Positive Reinforcement Training is the most effective way to raise a well-balanced dog.
As The Puppy Specialist, she focuses on teaching you how your puppy learns, communicates, and responds- so you can raise a calm, confident dog without force, confusion or second- guessing. The program is curated specifically to your routine, environment and your puppy’s temperament.
She is accredited through the Council of Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA) and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Her program is tailored to helping owners understand the developmental phases of your puppy and how to structure your training to best fit those periods. Her goal is to set you and your puppy up for success with the latest training tools and techniques so that you feel confident when the newest member of your family arrives.
Client Success Stories
“The Puppy Specialist helped me prepare everything before my puppy, Apolo, arrived. Her guidance on what products to buy saved me a huge amount of time, and the Zoom sessions made it easy to stay on track while I was traveling between cities. Preparing for a service dog felt overwhelming at first, but having support made the process feel manageable and organized. Highly recommend the Pre-Puppy Arrival and Zoom sessions.”
-Sebastian H.
We worked with Monique for 4 months as a specific doodle expert for our mini Bernedoodle and she worked miracles. Was super helpful with all of our questions, provided tips, and helped train our pup, Penny, to be a full functioning doggo. Highly highly recommend if you have a doodle…”
-Louis B.
Training Programs:
75 min Session
Private Training Sessions:
$175
One-on-one instruction tailored to your household and your puppy.
Developmental training plans matched to your puppies developmental stage, using positive science-based methods.
Clear, actionable homework to produce measureable progress between sessions.
Flexible scheduling and practical solutions for real-life situations.
Sessions take place in-home or a public space, depending on your puppies vaccination status.
60 min Session
Pre-Puppy Arrival Training Sessions:
$150
Expert advice regarding the latest tools and techniques to set you and your puppy up for success the moment upon arrival.
Customized set up plan and practical puppy-proofing advice.
Management strategies ready-to-go for potty training and bite-inhibition.
Build your confidence before your puppy arrives.
30 min
Zoom Sessions:
$95
Private coaching from anywhere- no travel required.
Immediate troubleshooting.
Affordable option for follow-ups and short refreshers
Fast access to expert guidance with flexible scheduling
*Daycare Board and Train as well as Overnight Board and Train is reserved for established clients only. I work with one pup - maximum two- at a time, so that they can receive specialized one-on-one care and attention in my home.
Packages:
At The Puppy Specialist, our training packages are designed to provide you and your puppy with consistent guidance, support, and structure every step of the way.
Whether you’re focusing on basic manners or advancing toward higher-level obedience, our discounted packages offer ongoing coaching to help you build lasting results together.
Our sessions are designed to teach you how to communicate effectively with your puppy, reinforce behaviors and confidently continue training in between lessons.
The more consistent the training process, the stronger and more reliable the results become.
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Our Starter Package is designed to set you and your puppy up for success with a strong foundation of essential skills.
Includes:
5% Discount
Introductory training plan
Guidance on common puppy behaviors
Great For:
Potty Training
Basic Obedience
Puppy Biting and Jumping
Crate Training
Total: $499
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The Success Package is designed for owners who want more than just the basics. Our most popular package for building foundational skills with real-world practical application.
Includes:
10% Discount
Progress Tracking and Homework
Ongoing Support
Great For:
Basic Obedience
Socialization Guidance
Confidence Building
Impulse Control
Total: $788
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Our Complete Package is designed for owners who want the strongest possible start, with continued coaching and reinforcement that leads to long-term success into the Adolescent phase.
Includes:
15% Discount
Advanced skill building
Guidance on the adolescent phase
Great For:
Complete puppy development
Persistent behavior challenges
Advanced obedience goals
First time puppy owners wanting full support
Total: $1,041
Basic Obedience
Potty Training
Bite Inhibition
Socialization
Attention Seeking Behaviors
Impulse Control
Counter Conditioning
Desensitization
Crate Training
Preparation for Therapy Dog
Flight Ready
Basic Public Manners
Acclimation to city life
Handling
Positive Reinforcement Overview
Take the guess work out of raising your puppy.
Your Questions, Answered.
What age is ideal to start training my puppy?
Puppy training ideally starts in-home as early as 8 weeks to maximize critical imprinting and socialization periods. Getting an early start sets you and your puppy up for success!
Am I too late to start training?
Its never too late to start a training program for your puppy! Although the socialization window does start to diminish around 16 weeks, there are additional imprinting periods in the adolescent phase that are ideal for training.
Why use Force Free or Positive Reinforcement Training?
Aversive training focuses on quick fixes, which often suppresses behavior and masks the underlying issues through intimidation and fear. Force-free training offers long lasting results, through guidance and trust, which ultimately comes from having a deeper understanding of canine behavior.
Schedule a Free Consultation Call
Schedule a free 10 min phone consultation today to discuss training objects as well as prices and programs for your puppy!