What other programs are available beyond puppy-specific training?

As your puppy matures, Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit offers programs that build on early foundations. The Two-Week Board and Train program lasts 14 days, during which dogs board with a professional trainer and learn six commands including sit and down, with training in multiple environments and work around multiple distractions. A two-hour owner session occurs after the training program. Board-and-train programs provide immersive training environments for faster progress. Off-leash training helps dogs respond reliably without a leash and enhances the bond between dogs and their owners. Behavior modification training can help dogs overcome specific issues, and reactive dogs that bark or lunge at other dogs or strangers benefit from the Aggressive Dog Training program, which consists of eight private lessons.

Puppy Training in Detroit, MI

Q: What age should I start puppy training?

The earlier, the better. Puppy training consultations are designed for dogs under five months old because that's when the socialization window is widest and foundational habits like housebreaking and crate training take hold most effectively. Research from Purdue University's Center for Animal Welfare Science confirms that the socialization period closes around 12–14 weeks, after which fear periods may begin. Starting training early gives your puppy the best chance at becoming a well-adjusted canine companion. Aggressive behavior often stems from inadequate socialization, so early intervention prevents problems that are harder to correct later. High anxiety in dogs can be addressed through gradual positive experiences during these formative weeks.

Q: Do you offer positive reinforcement training for puppies?

Yes. The Basic Marker Mastery™ program is Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit's dedicated positive reinforcement program. It uses reward-based methods-clicker training, treats, and a slip lead-to teach foundational commands over four weekly sessions. Studies show reward-based techniques produce faster, more reliable obedience with fewer repeated cues.

Q: What does the Puppy Training Consultation include?

The consultation covers the core foundations every new puppy owner needs: housebreaking (including teaching your puppy to signal when it needs to go outside), crate training, socialization guidance, pack structure, and introduction to basic obedience concepts. It also gives you space to ask specific questions about your puppy's body language, behavior, and developmental needs.

Build strong habits with early socialization and obedience training.

Starting early can help your puppy develop good habits and become comfortable with different people, animals, environments, and everyday experiences. According to Purdue University’s puppy development guide, the sensitive socialization period generally occurs between approximately 3 and 14 weeks of age, although appropriate socialization should continue throughout the dog’s life.

Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit, Michigan offers a Puppy Training Consultation for dogs under five months old, reward-based Basic Marker Mastery™, and in-home obedience training for eligible older puppies.

Why Detroit Trusts Off Leash K9 Training

Our Puppy Training Services

The right option depends on your puppy’s age, the skills you want to develop, and the training methods you prefer. Below are the main programs that may be relevant to puppy owners.

Puppy Training Consultation

The Puppy Training Consultation is intended for dogs under five months old. It provides owners with guidance during the early stages of raising and training a puppy.

The consultation covers:

Introduction to obedience training
Basic obedience foundations
Housebreaking and house training
Teaching your puppy to communicate when it needs to go outside
Crate training
Socialization
Pack structure
Answers to puppy-training questions

The sensitive socialization period generally occurs between approximately 3 and 14 weeks, but socialization should continue afterward. Owners can use the consultation to develop a plan for introducing their puppy to appropriate people, animals, sounds, surfaces, and environments. Our puppy socialization guide offers additional information about safe early exposure.

Basic Marker Mastery™

Basic Marker Mastery™ is a four-week reward-based training program consisting of four one-hour sessions. It uses a clicker, rewards, and a slip lead instead of an e-collar or prong collar.

A 2020 controlled study comparing different training approaches found that one group trained primarily with positive reinforcement responded faster to certain “Come” and “Sit” cues than the group trained with e-collars. Individual results vary, and the study did not evaluate the Basic Marker Mastery™ program specifically.

Skills covered include:

Introduction to Come
Introduction to Sit
Learning the Place command
Introduction to the OLK9 slip lead
Loose-leash walking

Equipment included:

15-foot leash
Clicker
Slip lead

Owners interested in enrolling a young puppy should confirm current age requirements and program availability during the free phone consultation.

Basic Obedience Package

The Basic Obedience Package is an in-home program consisting of four private lessons. It introduces foundational commands and leash skills that owners can continue practicing during everyday routines.

Commands covered:

Come
Sit and Extended Sit
Down and Extended Down
Place and Extended Place
Loose-Leash Heel
Off, meaning to stop an unwanted action

Equipment included:

E-collar
15-foot leash

According to the company’s FAQ, e-collar training generally begins when a dog is at least five months old. Owners of younger puppies can ask about the Puppy Training Consultation or reward-based training options.

Why Detroit Chooses Off Leash K9 Training for Puppy Training

Starting training and socialization early can help puppies become familiar with new people, animals, sounds, surfaces, and environments. Because every puppy develops differently, owners should choose a training option based on the puppy’s age, current behavior, and training goals.

Guidance for puppies under five months: The Puppy Training Consultation covers housebreaking, crate training, socialization, pack structure, and introductory obedience concepts.
Reward-based training option: Basic Marker Mastery™ uses a clicker, rewards, and a slip lead to introduce foundational commands and leash skills.
In-home obedience for eligible puppies: The Basic Obedience Package is delivered in the client's home. The company's FAQ page states that e-collar training generally begins when a dog is at least five months old.
Programs for different training goals: Available options have different curricula, equipment, and age considerations. The training team can explain which program may be appropriate during the free phone consultation.

How It Works

Meet Trainers

Meet the Off Leash K9 Detroit Team

Katie Cook, Head Trainer

With Off Leash K9 Training of Detroit since 2018. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University and grew up showing in 4-H. Has personally fostered and adopted out over 80 dogs through local rescues and shelters, and shares her home with a pack of five rescues of her own.

Josh Wilson, Owner

Based in Hampton Roads, VA, Josh has built a multi-location Off Leash K9 Training enterprise across several states since he started training in January 2014. He’s married to Devin, has two children, and shares his home with a Black Lab named Charlotte and a Rottweiler named Rocky.

Tons of 5-Star Reviews

"Great trainers who truly care about your animal like they would their own! Highly recommend."

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"We cannot wait to sign up for four more lessons so that he can be therapy dog certified next year!"

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age should I start puppy training?

Training and safe age-appropriate socialization can begin when your puppy is young. The sensitive socialization period generally falls between 3 and 14 weeks, but continued socialization is important throughout life. The Puppy Training Consultation is for dogs under five months old. Younger puppies can use clicker-and-treat methods, while e-collar training generally begins at five months or older.

Do you offer positive reinforcement training for puppies?

Yes. Basic Marker Mastery™ is a four-week reward-based program with four one-hour sessions. Trainers use a clicker, rewards, and a slip lead to introduce Come, Sit, Place, and loose-leash walking. The program does not use an e-collar or a prong collar. Because age, development, and availability affect enrollment, confirm whether the program is right for your puppy during a free phone consultation.

What does the Puppy Training Consultation include?

The Puppy Training Consultation introduces obedience foundations and covers housebreaking, crate training, socialization, pack structure, and helping your puppy communicate when it needs to go outside. You can also ask questions about your puppy’s behavior, home routine, and developmental needs. For more tips, review our puppy socialization guide before or after your consultation with the trainer.

What other programs are available as my puppy gets older?

As your puppy matures, options could include four Basic Obedience lessons, eight Basic and Advanced Obedience lessons, or a 14-day Two-Week Board and Train. An eight-lesson Aggressive Dog Training program addresses aggression or reactivity involving other dogs. Eight-week Therapy Dog Preparation helps dogs and owners prepare for testing, but completion does not guarantee therapy-dog certification.

Get Started with Puppy Training Today

Start Your Dog’s Transformation Today!

Early training can help establish house-training routines, introduce foundational commands, and give your puppy appropriate opportunities to experience new people, animals, environments, and everyday situations.

Call (313) 401-0820 or complete our contact form to request a free phone consultation. The team can explain the Puppy Training Consultation, Basic Marker Mastery™, and other available training options.

About Off Leash K9 Training

Dog Trainers Who Are Recognized Around The World!

Nick White is the Owner and Founder of Off Leash K9 Training. Nick is a former US Marine and former US Secret Service. He currently has over 130+ dog training locations throughout the United States.

Nick is globally recognized as being one of the top dog trainers in the world. He has 2 official world records in off leash obedience, named on Wikipedia as one of the top 20 dog trainers in the world, recently named top 10 trainer in the world by bestdogtrainers.org, has been featured in many magazines and shows, and he is regularly requested by the top celebrities and athletes! He has been called upon by people such as actor Ryan Reynolds, WWE’s John Cena, MLB All Star Max Scherzer, UFC World Champion Jon “Bones” Jones, and many more!

You can visit our YouTube Channel and watch over 1500+ before/after videos of Nick and his team’s work! Off Leash K9 Training has more documented videos than any dog training business in the entire world!