Puppy Training and Basic Obedience in Miami
Foundation is where the relationship is built. MK9's Level I program is designed for puppies, young dogs, new owners, and dogs that need basic structure. It focuses on essential commands, leash control, impulse control, household manners, and owner education.
The goal isn't a dog that only listens when life is quiet. It's a dog that understands structure, and an owner who knows how to lead with consistency.
Why a Strong Foundation Matters
The Early Months Shape the Adult Dog
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior calls the first three months of life the most important window for socialization (AVSAB). What a puppy learns early has lasting effects.
Consistency Beats Technique
In a survey of 1,276 owners, more consistent owner behavior went with better obedience (Arhant et al., 2010). Foundation gives the whole household one set of rules to follow.
Structure Prevents Problems Later
Jumping, pulling, and poor impulse control are easier to shape early than to undo later. Foundation builds the habits that everything else sits on.
What to Expect
Every MK9 program follows the same path: understand the situation, identify the right plan, then build the standard.
1. A Free 30-Minute Discovery Call
Tell us what's happening, when it started, and what life with your dog looks like right now. This is where fit is determined.
2. A Personal Evaluation
GuiAlix Douyon (G) reviews your dog's age, breed, environment, behavior patterns, and your goals to confirm Foundation is the right fit.
3. Structured, Real-World Training
Foundation covers essential commands, leash control, impulse control, and household manners, built up in short, regular sessions. Training happens where your dog actually lives: your home, your sidewalks, your neighborhood.
4. Owner Education
The dog learns the commands. The owner learns how to lead. You learn to communicate with consistency, timing, and control, so the results hold when the session ends.
5. Lifetime Warranty Support
The relationship doesn't end when the program ends. Every program includes:
- Monthly Group Tune-Ups: socialization, work around distractions, fine-tuning commands, and deterring unwanted behavior.
- Unlimited Phone Consultations: problem-solving support by phone.
- Annual Courtesy Visits: a yearly review of all commands.
- Newborn Introductions: adjustment-phase support when a new baby joins the family.
Is the Foundation Program Right for Your Dog?
Foundation is the best fit for:
- Puppies and young dogs
- New owners
- Dogs that need basic structure
- Dogs struggling with jumping, pulling, impulse control, or household manners
What the Research Says About Early Training
Short, Spaced Practice Works
In a controlled study, dogs trained once or twice a week learned a new task faster than dogs trained every day, and one session at a time beat three in a row (Demant et al., 2011). Foundation builds structure through calm, regular repetition, not marathon sessions.
Early Structure Keeps Dogs in Their Homes
In a study of 248 dogs, those that attended puppy socialization classes, were handled often as puppies, and responded well to commands were more likely to stay in their homes (Duxbury et al., 2003).
If your dog's needs go beyond basic structure, such as leash reactivity or selective listening, Level II: Refinement may be the better starting point. We'll help you decide on the Discovery Call.
Book Your Discovery Call for the Foundation Program
Give your puppy or new dog the structure they need from day one. Every MK9 program starts with a free 30-minute Discovery Call. Tell us about your dog, your home, and the behavior you're seeing, and we'll identify the right path. Pricing is shared only after we understand the situation.
MK9 Specialists is a mobile service: training happens at your home and in your neighborhood across Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, Doral, Kendall, Deering Bay, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Cutler Bay, Miami Beach, and Key Biscayne. Call (305) 690-0733, email info@mk9specialists.com, or book online. Training hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM.
Questions
Foundation Program (Level I): Frequently Asked Questions
What age can my puppy start the Foundation Program?
Early is better. AVSAB supports starting puppy classes as early as 7–8 weeks of age, with at least one set of vaccines given 7 days or more before the first class (AVSAB). Talk to your veterinarian about the right timing for your puppy. Level I: Foundation is designed for puppies, young dogs, and new owners.
Is my adult dog too old for Foundation?
No. In a study of 95 Border Collies aged 5 months to 13 years, dogs of all ages learned the task, though older dogs learned more slowly, and long-term memory showed no age difference (Wallis et al., 2016). Foundation is also for any dog that needs basic structure.
How often should we practice between sessions?
Short and spaced beats long and daily. Dogs trained once or twice a week learned a new task faster than dogs trained every day, and one session at a time beat three back to back (Demant et al., 2011). That study used laboratory Beagles, so treat it as a direction; we'll give you a practice plan that fits your dog.
Why does MK9 train the owner, too?
Because consistency is what makes training stick. In a survey of 1,276 owners, more consistent owner behavior went with better obedience (Arhant et al., 2010), and dogs are unusually skilled at reading human signals (Hare & Tomasello, 2005). The dog learns the commands. The owner learns how to lead.
What happens after the Foundation Program ends?
Every MK9 program includes Lifetime Warranty support: monthly group tune-ups, unlimited phone consultations, annual courtesy visits, and newborn introductions. The Lifetime Warranty supports continued structure, accountability, and guidance. It does not replace your daily leadership and commitment.
