We offer training options for a well rounded pet, therapy dog or assistance dog.
Learn about our training options below.
M&M COMPANION RETRIEVER EARLY LEARNING PUPPY PROGRAM.
Including our Assistance Dog Program
The M&M Companion Retriever training journey begins with our comprehensive Early Learning Puppy Program, an enriching journey from birth to 8 months old. This program offers an in-depth experience, allowing you to witness and participate in the crucial development stages of your puppy. You will watch and learn as the puppies grow from birth until they go home at 8 weeks of age.
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When your puppy joins your family at 8 weeks of age, you will commence an in-depth training,
socialisation and exposure program until the puppies are 16 weeks of age (stage 1).
The early stages of your puppies development are crucial to creating the adult dog of your dreams or requirements as an assistance dog. The first 16 weeks are so important for correct socialisation and exposure training. We can always teach a dog obedience, but you can not get the puppies' first 16 weeks of life back! The puppies life from week 4 to 8, is where us as the breeder does a lot of the
heavy lifting with socialisation and exposure. Watch and learn what we do through a private facebook group with videos and live streams. Take your new knowledge with you and apply when your puppy goes home.
Our Early Learning Puppy Program is a collaborative effort between the Breeder, the Trainer, and you, the new owner. It encompasses 16 weeks of tailored training and guidance designed to nurture your puppy's growth and prepare them for a fulfilling life as an assistance dog. Throughout the program, you'll receive extensive support covering a wide array of topics including:
● Establishing a safe routine for your puppy's first week
● Socialization and exposure, highlighting the importance and techniques for proper socialization
and how to conduct these activities.
● Understanding normal puppy behaviors such as nipping, sleeping patterns, and managing
hyperactivity
● Enrichment ideas and strategies for implementation
● Guidance on integrating puppies with children for a safe and harmonious environment
● Setting up your home to accommodate the puppy's needs including crates, sleeping
arrangements, and designated zones
● Addressing obedience and behavioral issues, separation anxiety, and boredom busters.
● Refining obedience training at home and under distractions.
● Guidance and instruction on how to safely socialise and expose your puppy to the world.
In-depth guidance on when and how to go about socialisation and exposure.
● Depending on which program you choose, you can have access to weekly training and
socialization and exposure rosters, peer support group video calls and discussion board, and one on one video calls and communication with your personal dog trainer.
● Addressing any individual concerns and training needs for you, your family and the puppy.
● Support with any public access issues, negotiating with businesses, rental accommodation,
workplaces ect
PROGRAM OPTIONS - Early Learning Puppy Program Stage 1 from birth to 4 months
We recognize that each owner and puppy are unique, progressing at their own pace and with individual goals. Our program is adaptable, tailored to suit your specific needs and aspirations for your puppy, whether it's for personal fulfilment, therapy, or as an assistance dog.
For those aspiring to raise and train their puppy to fulfil specific roles or dreams, our Early Learning Puppy Program (ELPP) serves as the essential first step toward achieving those goals. From birth to 4 months of age.
Choose from our Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Early Learning Puppy Programs! Each program is designed for a different level of commitment, depending on your training goals.
BRONZE ELPP - Free - Included with the purchase of your puppy.
This program is for all our puppy owners. When you buy a puppy from M&M Companion Retrievers, we provide you with written support on all the necessary information required when welcoming a new puppy home, tackling normal puppy behaviour, exposure and socialisation checklist, understanding the how's, whys and importance of socialization and exposure for your new puppy, normal breeder support for you and your dog, peer support group to connect with your litter mates. Discussion group with the litter.
● Essential for all puppy owners
● Lifetime access to all content
● Discussion group / litter peer support
SILVER ELPP - Extra $950 plus gst.
This program is for those puppy owners who would like further instruction and guidance on how to safely socialise and expose puppies to the world and who would like to start obedience training with their puppy.
Everything in the Bronze program plus:
The socialisation and exposure section will provide you with a detailed weekly plan on what to do, how to do it, where to go for socialisation and exposure. A clear day to day guide of what to do to raise a well rounded puppy. Weekly assignments provided to support you through the process. Submission of videos and trainer feedback on your exposure outings and sessions.
The obedience portion provides you with clear video and written instructions on the main obedience that all dogs should know, regardless of their roles in life. Basics such as name recognition, recall, sit, drop, stand, follow me exercises, crate training, leash walking and a few extras! Detailed explanation on how to train these obedience skills, weekly training plan, weekly assignments, video submissions and feedback on your training progress.
● Perfect for all puppy owners, those wanting a well trained and rounded dog for life
● People wanting to get a start on training their puppy as a stepping stone for more advanced
training, sports or agility
● Do it yourself training for therapy dog roles or assistance dog roles
● Lifetime access to all content
● Discussion group / litter peer support
● Training instructions, weekly plans and trainer feedback
GOLD ELPP - extra $1150 plus gst.
The Gold program is designed for a little extra training support for those we are invested in training their pet to the best of their ability, foundation for any therapy or assistance dog role. The basic essentials to start your assistance dog training with one of our specifically bred and raised puppies.
The socialisation and exposure section will provide you with a detailed weekly plan on what to do, how to do it, where to go for socialisation and exposure. A clear day to day guide of what to do to raise a well rounded puppy. Weekly assignments provided to support you through the process. Submission of videos and trainer feedback on your exposure outings and sessions.
The obedience portion provides you with clear video and written instructions on the main obedience that all dogs should know, regardless of their roles in life. Basics such as name recognition, recall, sit, drop, stand, follow me exercises, crate training, leash walking and a few extras! Detailed explanation on how to train these obedience skills, weekly training plan, weekly assignments, video submissions and feedback on your training progress.
Everything in the Silver Program plus:
Weekly group video calls with others from your litter in the Gold and Platinum program. Essential training advice addressing issues as they present, peer support from those going through the same puppy stage as you, knowledgeable and compassionate understanding and support through your
training journey. Regular communication with your trainer outside of the discussion board and group video meetings.
● Perfect for those wanting to advance their skills and their dogs skills, therapy dog roles and
assistance dog roles.
● Do it yourself training for therapy dog roles or assistance dog roles
● Lifetime access to all content
● Discussion group / litter peer support
● Weekly Group video calls with your trainer
● Training instructions, weekly plans and trainer feedback
PLATINUM - extra $1450 plus gst
For all your training and socialisation and exposure support! The ultimate package for those raising one of our puppies to train as their assistance dog or therapy dog role. Or those wanting a little extra support through the puppy training process.
The socialisation and exposure section will provide you with a detailed weekly plan on what to do, how to do it, where to go for socialisation and exposure. A clear day to day guide of what to do to raise a well rounded puppy. Weekly assignments provided to support you through the process. Submission of videos and trainer feedback on your exposure outings and sessions.
The obedience portion provides you with clear video and written instructions on the main obedience that all dogs should know, regardless of their roles in life. Basics such as name recognition, recall, sit, drop, stand, follow me exercises, crate training, leash walking and a few extras! Detailed explanation on how to train these obedience skills, weekly training plan, weekly assignments, video submissions and feedback on your training progress.
Weekly group video calls with litter mates in the Gold and Platinum programs, run by your trainer with training advice, feedback and guidance.
Everything in the Gold Program plus:
Weekly one on one video calls with your trainer to problem solve and go through your individual training requirements. Includes individualised socialization and exposure activities and guidance on how to also gradually expose the handler to new environments that they may need to attend as a part of their public access work with their assistance dog prospect.
Assistance dog in training vest.
Public Access Documents, support letters and representation
Please note the price of the programs does NOT include the purchase price of a puppy.
Puppy purchase price: $5000 plus gst
Puppy purchase price for Assistance Dog Prospects: $5500 plus gst
Early Learning Puppy Program Stage 2: 4 months to 8 months
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Intermediate Obedience – you will learn mat training, positioning in a variety of settings (chairs, tables, public transport, restaurant), touch conditioning, manners in public, psychiatric task behaviours (at home) such as middle, safe, block, tuck, DPT, working with other handlers.
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Refining basic obedience learnt in Stage 1 – training under distraction, duration and distance in a variety of settings.
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Exposure & public access plans – For assistance dogs and therapy dogs. S&E assignments increasing difficulty, distraction & duration for each outing.
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Structured public access plans to safely and calmly introduce your dog to public areas, with designated outings in vest.
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QBARK – behavioural assessment
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Behavioural checklist (BCL) – Learn the exact behaviour your dog needs to be a successful assistance dog with real life settings and training opportunities. We will work through the 52 requirements under the IWDA for assistance dog work. The BCL will set you up for success for the national PAT / GHAD.
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Walk and Talk BCL assessment at 5 months old.
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Pass criteria: ELPP contract obedience (basic) & no severe behavioural issues under the BCL definitions.
Choose from the same flexible training options as in stage 1. Cost is for 4 months.
Platinum: $2900 plus gst
Gold: $2300 plus gst
Silver: $1900 plus gst
Payment plans available but must be paid off before the completion of the course. I.e. Platinum is $725 monthly or $181.25 weekly.
Young Dog Training Program 8 months to 18 months. For assistance dogs in training.
Introducing the Young Dog Training Program (YDTP) by M&M Companion Retrievers—a transformative initiative tailored to elevate the training of your assistance dog. Designed to refine and enhance your dog's skills, our comprehensive program ensures they become a reliable, obedient, and confident partner in every facet of your life.
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Obedience – reliability in public settings, including the intermediate obedience.
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Tasks – refining the tasks in public and when displaying signs for the task behaviour.
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Behavioural checklist (BCL) – Learn the exact behaviour your dog needs to be a successful assistance dog with real life settings and training opportunities. We will work through the 52 requirements under the IWDA for assistance dog work. The BCL will set you up for success for the national PAT / GHAD.
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BCL assessments at 12 months and 17 months.
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GHAD / PAT training: We will take you through each component of the GHAD / PAT, preparing you for each criterion, refining public access work under the settings of the PAT, mock PAT / GHAD for preparation for sitting formal assessment.
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The GHAD / PAT will be conducted by an independent assessor in your area at a fee set out by that assessor.
This comprehensive program spans from 8 to 18 months of age, offering a 10-month training experience. The pre-requisite for the YDTP is participation and completion of the Early Learning Puppy Program. Enrolling in the YDTP also includes continued membership benefits with M&M Companion Retrievers, offering support with public access issues and serving as a point of contact for assistance.
The YDTP aims to further enhance your assistance dog's receptiveness to your commands, making them an invaluable and reliable part of your daily life. With your dedication and our guidance, we are confident that you will achieve remarkable progress in your journey towards a fully trained assistance dog.
Same flexible package options as in stage 1 – you choose your level of support.
Platinum: $4750 plus gst
Gold: $3750 plus gst
Silver: $3000 plus gst
Payment plans available but must be paid off before the completion of the course. I.e. Platinum is $475 monthly or $118.75 weekly