CPDT-KA Certified
Fear Free Certified
AKC CGC Evaluator
Positive Reinforcement
Your Puppy Won’t Stay Little for Long
Puppyhood is short, but the habits your puppy learns now can last for years. Jumping, biting, chewing, barking, pulling, and ignoring you may seem small today, but they can become much harder to manage as your puppy grows.
The good news is that early training helps prevent problems before they become habits. With the right plan, your puppy can learn how to settle, listen, walk politely, greet people calmly, and feel confident in the world.
Imagine the Dog You’re Raising
Calm Family Companion
A puppy who learns how to settle, relax, and fit into your daily routine.
Confident Around the World
Build positive experiences with people, sounds, surfaces, handling, and everyday life.
Better Manners at Home
Reduce jumping, biting, chewing, and chaos before they become long-term habits.
More Freedom Together
Reliable skills like recall, leash manners, and focus open the door to more adventures.
Common Puppy Problems We Help With
Potty Training
Create a clear routine that helps your puppy understand where and when to go.
Puppy Biting & Nipping
Teach gentle behavior and give your puppy better ways to use their mouth.
Crate Training
Help your puppy feel safer and more comfortable spending time alone.
Jumping
Teach polite greetings before jumping becomes your puppy’s default hello.
Chewing
Prevent damage by teaching appropriate outlets and better management.
Leash Walking
Start loose-leash habits early so walks do not become a daily battle.
Recall
Build a strong foundation for coming when called.
Confidence Building
Help your puppy feel more comfortable with new people, places, sounds, and situations.
Why Early Puppy Training Matters
Puppies are learning every day, whether we are teaching them on purpose or not. Every greeting, walk, meal, nap, and play session teaches your puppy something about how the world works.
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Private in-home puppy training helps you use those everyday moments to build good habits, prevent unwanted behavior, and create a stronger relationship with your dog from the beginning.
Prevention Is Easier Than Repair
It is much easier to teach good habits early than to undo months of practice later.
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Your Puppy Learns Through Daily Life
Training works best when it fits into meals, walks, play, rest, and family routines.
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Confidence Comes From Safe Experiences
Positive exposure helps your puppy become more resilient without overwhelming them.
As your puppy matures, many families continue into our Basic Obedience Dog Training program to strengthen leash walking, recall, impulse control, and everyday manners.
What You and Your Puppy Will Learn
You'll Learn
How to communicate clearly
How to reward good choices
How to prevent common puppy problems
How to create routines that work
How to build confidence without pressure
How to practice between sessions
Your Puppy Learns
Sit
Down
Come when called
Leash foundations
Leave it
Settle
Polite greetings
Handling comfort
Focus around distractions
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Continue Your Dog's Training Journey
As your dog grows, their training needs evolve. Explore the programs that help families continue building confidence, reliability, and real-world success.
Build reliable leash walking, recall, impulse control, and everyday manners as your puppy grows into adolescence.
If your dog develops barking, fear, or reactivity, early guidance can help build confidence before those behaviors become long-term habits.
Strengthen advanced skills and prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test with real-world training.
Why In-Home Puppy Training Works
Practice in the rooms where biting, jumping, and chewing happen.
Build routines around your actual schedule.
Help children and family members learn the same training plan.
Work on real neighborhood walks instead of fake classroom setups.
Create a plan that fits your puppy’s personality and your home.
Puppy Training Package
3 private in-home sessions
Personalized puppy training plan
Potty training and crate support
Biting, jumping, and chewing help
Basic obedience foundations
Confidence and socialization guidance
Step-by-step homework
Support between sessions
Investment
$285
Not sure where to start? Schedule a Free Consultation and we'll recommend the best training plan for your puppy.
Learn more about Steve's experience, certifications, and positive reinforcement philosophy on the About Me page.
“Steve guided me from a first-time dog owner, stressed about destructive puppy behavior, through the Canine Good Citizen and now to a happy, bonded therapy dog team.”​
- Marla E.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start puppy training? You can start puppy training as soon as your puppy comes home. Early training helps build routines, prevent unwanted behavior, and create confidence from the beginning.
Can you help with puppy biting? Yes. Puppy biting and nipping are common, and training helps teach gentler behavior while giving your puppy better outlets.
Do you use positive reinforcement? Yes. Puppy training uses positive reinforcement and fear-free methods to help puppies learn without intimidation or punishment.
Do you help with potty training? Yes. Puppy training can include potty training routines, crate setup, supervision, management, and ways to prevent accidents.
Do you offer in-home puppy training? Yes. Port City Dog Training provides private, in-home puppy training in Muskegon and surrounding West Michigan communities.
Can my family participate? Yes. Family participation is encouraged so everyone learns the same cues, routines, and expectations.
Still Have Questions?
Many puppy owners have questions about vaccinations, socialization, scheduling, session length, and what to expect during training.
Visit our complete Dog Training FAQ for detailed answers.