4-WEEK Stokeshire Doodle SCHOOL
Because the first few weeks shape everything.
At Stokeshire, we believe a well-loved puppy starts with a thoughtful foundation. Our 4-Week Doodle School provides just that—a gentle, intentional start that nurtures trust, teaches early life skills, and begins the bond between you and your puppy before you even meet. It’s not about perfection—it’s about giving your puppy the best possible beginning.
“Wonderful experience from start to finish. Beautiful and informative website. Very professional and seamless communication leading up to bringing our new puppy home. The couple of questions I had in the first few weeks of bringing her home were also answered so quickly and thoroughly. We did have our mini bernedoodle go through boot camp and also 4 weeks of doodle school with Karlee, which was very helpful! She did a fantastic job. We are so in love with our newest family member, Zara.”
Our 4-Week Doodle School is the perfect blend of structure, nurture, and foundational training—designed to ease the transition from our home to yours.
Setting a routine is one of the most crucial aspects of puppy ownership. Puppies, like small children, require a great deal of sleep and thrive when there is a balance for their wake-sleep-play intervals.
This exclusive program is thoughtfully crafted to deliver early wins in the areas that matter most to new puppy families: crate and potty training, confidence-building, and essential manners. We’re not just teaching behaviors—we’re building trust, joy, and connection between you and your new companion.
Here’s what you can expect during your puppy’s 4-week stay with us:
Crate & Potty Training:
We lay the groundwork to minimize accidents and nighttime crying by establishing a consistent sleep, potty, and mealtime routine that you can continue at home.
Obedience Foundations:
Your puppy will be introduced to essential cues such as sit, down, come, and wait using gentle, positive reinforcement. These early introductions help them learn to focus, trust, and respond with confidence.
Confidence & Socialization:
Safe, intentional social outings introduce your puppy to new people, environments, textures, and sounds—helping them develop resilience and a love for adventure.
Leash & Handling Skills:
From collar desensitization to beginning leash manners, your puppy will learn to walk beside a handler and remain calm during basic grooming and vet-style handling.
Emotional Imprinting:
Because many of our puppies go on to become therapy, ESA, or service companions, we use age-appropriate exposure and bonding exercises that support emotional stability and connection.
This foundational month with our team prepares your puppy to thrive—whether they’re destined to be your hiking partner, couch cuddler, or future therapy dog.
If you're looking for a puppy that transitions more smoothly into your lifestyle, Doodle School is the bridge that makes it possible.
“We’ve had our sweet boy, Winston (a Mini Bernedoodle), home for eight weeks now. We met him as a 6 lb fluffball and brought him home at 12 weeks—and he’s already 24 lbs of love! James and Katie were so helpful throughout the entire process, always communicating clearly and showing how much they care. We originally planned to wait for a later litter, but after a great conversation with James, we knew Winston was the one.
His early training made a huge difference—he sleeps through the night, goes to his crate without a bribe, and has adjusted so well to our home. He’s confident, smart, and full of puppy energy. We love him to pieces!”
Our 4-Week Doodle School is designed to gently introduce your puppy to the essential building blocks of training and development. While not a finished product, your puppy will come home with an early foundation that fosters confidence, routine, and responsiveness.
This program supports families during the often-overwhelming transition phase by providing a thoughtful head start in the areas that matter most.
Here's what our 4-Week Program includes:
Routine & Structure
We begin establishing a balanced daily rhythm—potty breaks, mealtimes, play, rest, and short training sessions—to support your puppy’s physical and emotional development.
Crate & Potty Conditioning
Puppies begin learning the concept of sleeping through the night in a crate and relieving themselves outdoors. Accidents may still occur, but you’ll be equipped with the tools to continue this progress at home.
Early Manners & Obedience
We introduce basic cues like sit, down, and wait through positive reinforcement. Our focus is not on perfection but on helping your puppy begin to associate training with connection and reward.
Guided Socialization
Your puppy will experience a range of gentle, age-appropriate exposures: car rides, new surfaces, environments, and interactions—all designed to build resilience during their critical social window.
Grooming & Health Habits
We initiate your puppy into grooming and handling routines (brushing, nail touch, ear cleaning), and ensure they are up-to-date on vaccines and deworming.*
*Most puppies will have received one round of vaccinations by 8 weeks.
Please Note: This program is intentionally foundational. While we aim for progress in each area, puppies will still be learning, growing, and adjusting when they go home. Your continued consistency will be key.
Our Doodle School serves as a stepping stone—not a shortcut—to a well-rounded companion. It’s an investment in giving your puppy a strong start, rooted in love, structure, and gentle guidance.
Crate & Potty Training Foundations
Potty Training Introduction
During their time in Doodle School, puppies are introduced to a consistent potty routine that helps build early awareness and habits. While accidents may still occur, especially in new environments, most puppies begin to show positive response to structured potty schedules and gentle guidance.
Crate Conditioning
Puppies are gradually acclimated to the crate using positive reinforcement. The goal is to help them begin seeing the crate as a calm, familiar space for rest and downtime. Some puppies will start to settle more easily at night or during quiet periods, though adjustment may vary based on individual temperament.
4-Week Foundational Puppy Preschool Program
Our 4-week Doodle School is designed to offer your puppy a thoughtful introduction to early socialization, house manners, and basic training. While not a guarantee of full training mastery, this program gives your puppy a confident start and prepares them for the transition into your home and continued training.
House Manners & Obedience Foundations
During their stay, your puppy will be gently introduced to the rhythms of home life and the language of training in a nurturing, positive environment.
Getting comfortable with stairs
Exposure to “off” cue to discourage jumping
Use of a positive interrupter to redirect undesirable behavior
Calm tolerance of harness and leash handling
Guided leash walks for early leash experience
Familiarity with early cues (introduced, not mastered):
Sit
Down
Come
Kennel
Socialization Experiences
Your puppy will be gently introduced to new experiences to help them become confident, well-adjusted companions.
Support through their early fear period to avoid lasting negative associations
Social experiences based on our 80-point checklist
Supervised group play with age-appropriate peers
Weather-dependent public outings (e.g., patios, stores)
Enrichment time in the play yard and exposure to new textures, sounds, and people
Healthcare & Grooming Habits
We build gentle grooming and health routines into the puppy’s schedule to normalize care and handling:
Weekly baths and nail trims
Introduction to brushing, drying, and light sanitary trims
Ongoing deworming and vet checks
Up-to-date on vaccines (first round complete at 6–7 weeks)
⚠️ Your vet will need to administer the second round of Parvo and core vaccines around 12 weeks of ageHealth records and vaccine schedule provided at pickup
Go-Home Inclusions
Your puppy will go home with:
Health records from Medford Veterinary Clinic
Access to your Health Guarantee & Puppy Contract (online)
A slip leash or lead line
Tuition, Timing & Delivery
Tuition: $4,000 due at the 6-week Match Day
Duration: Puppies must remain with us for the full 4 weeks
Extra Days: If additional days are needed, they may be added at $150/day
Pickup Deadline: Please arrange for pickup by your puppy’s 12-week birthday to avoid late-stay charges
Hand-Delivery Available: Based on location, nanny availability, and travel costs (contact for a quote)
Reminder
Even with the best early foundation, your puppy will still need time to adjust to your home. Training is an ongoing journey, and consistency in your care will be the key to continued success. We’re always here to support you in that process.
