Working Puppy Foundation
Board & Train
Build the Drive. Shape the Focus.
Create the Partner You Need.
At DDA we specialize in preparing future hunting and detection dogs for success. Specifically designed for puppies from 8 weeks to 12 months, this program will get you started on the right foot!
Our Working Puppy Foundation Program is a structured, immersive Board & Train program designed to give your puppy the focus, confidence, and foundation they need to thrive—in the home, in the field, or on deployment.
Every day, your pup trains, learns, and lives in an environment tailored for working dogs, enrichment and training on the farm, and includes age appropriate field trips.
We use proven, field-tested methods to build clarity, control, and drive—the essential traits of a reliable working partner.
What Your Puppy Will Learn
Obedience & Manners
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Sit, Down, Recall, Place, and Leash Manners
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Crate Training & Calm Behavior
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Respectful House Manners and Impulse Control
Confidence & Socialization
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Exposure to people, dogs, vehicles, and varied environments
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Stability on new surfaces, around noise, and through distractions
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Calm focus in stimulating or changing conditions
Motivation & Focus Development
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Engagement games that build focus and motivation
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Confidence through obstacles and environmental challenges
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Controlled drive—teaching your pup to think while in motion
Handler Coaching
You’ll receive three private lessons, during and after the program, focused entirely on teaching you communication, handling, and reinforcing your dog’s new skills at home and in the field.
We don’t just train your puppy.
We teach you how to bring out their best.
For Future Detection Dogs
Designed for your future partner, whether it be narcotics, explosives, human remains detection, disaster, or any other type of detection work.
Detection foundations begin with clarity, confidence, and focus. Puppies in our program learn:
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Strong toy and food motivation
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Search and problem-solving games to build hunt drive
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Environmental confidence for future operational settings
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Handler engagement and clear communication
We help create confident, stable pups who love to work and learn. Depending on the level desired, we can also begin trained final response development, imprint on the Novel Odor Training Aid (NOTA) or target odor.
For Future Hunting Dogs
Designed for your future hunter whether you want to compete or need that wonderful hunting partner. We build a foundation of focus, steadiness, and early field awareness.
We prepare young hunting prospects to become confident and steady in the field. Training emphasizes:
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Controlled drive development through structured play
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Early retrieving foundations and prey focus
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Intro to environmental challenges (brush, water, cover)
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Calmness under stimulation and noise exposure
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Introduction to blinds and the mechanics of lining
We build the foundation now—so your dog’s future field training is smooth, efficient, and reliable.
Pricing
8 weeks to 16 weeks -- $900 per month, this includes living in a house environment, not in a kennel
Over 16 weeks old and over -- This depends on what you want, so contact us for pricing. We do a significant amount of field trips for puppies over this age so depending on your focus, we have a sliding scale. All training is catered around your dog's ability and willingness.
We will complete training for detection dogs on a case by case basis. I specialize in FEMA disaster (live/HRD) and other detection dog disciplines. Pricing depends on the skill sets and level of training desired. Reach out for more details.
