Plucky Puppy provides positive, humane, and effective dog training, behavior modification, and socialization to Portland puppies and dogs. We offer a variety of training services to suit your schedule and budget, including individual training and behavior consulting, group classes, day training, and boarding & training in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.
To strengthen the relationship between dogs and humans by providing science-based education, training, and behavior services that value and respect the needs of both dogs and humans.
To strengthen the relationship between dogs and humans by providing science-based education, training, and behavior services that value and respect the needs of both dogs and humans.
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Marley Muffin-Face is the original plucky puppy. Katrin adopted him from the San Diego Animal Shelter when he was a puppy. Without many new or positive experiences during his critical socialization period, he was terrified of everything, especially people. As he was getting used to his new family and environment, Marley showed remarkable strength and courage. With lots of remedial socialization, training, and behavior modification, he eventually adapted to his new home and feline and avian companions.
The rolling enrollment Kinderpuppy class, which is currently offered on Wednesday evenings at 7:15pm at Dog Gone Happy, features rotating themes each week, which repeat every 6 weeks. The topics covered (sit, down, stay, leave it, go to bed, loose leash walking, and come) are the same in both classes.
Plucky Puppy uses humane and positive dog training methods for socialization, basic training, and problem behavior modification, as recommended by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Scientific research on animal learning shows that training is most effective when dogs are rewarded for correct behavior, when undesirable behaviors are prevented or redirected, and underlying emotional and environmental causes of fear, anxiety, and aggression are addressed.We do not use fear, pain, or intimidation.
Reviews (10)
Sue Melone
Jun 19, 2022
Danni
Dec 18, 2021
Puppy socials are lots of fun and informative. The staff divide the room for small breed and large breed puppies and account for each one's personality. I wish the socials weren't limited to 20 weeks of age, but I know my puppy benefited from these greatly because it helped me get comfortable understanding her feelings during play, distractions, possibly anxiety stressors and how to respond correctly to prevent lasting negative mental associations in her mind with new things, and making her learning process consistent and fun
Mon Gee
Nov 27, 2021
Highly recommend taking your puppy/ dog here! If you are looking for a ways to improve dog's social & Obedience training recommend them! All the trainers are amazing! During our puppy socials trainer Angela really helped me and my puppy understand what is "Appropriate play" vs what types of Physical body language To look out for to avoid aggressive behavior. Also, Trainer Mercedes was so helpful & knowledgeable about dog behavior.
I learned a lot about appropriate dog play & my puppy, Junie got to play with other dogs her age, while learning in a positive setting. Looking forward to more training from them!
I learned a lot about appropriate dog play & my puppy, Junie got to play with other dogs her age, while learning in a positive setting. Looking forward to more training from them!
Zack Ercanbrack
Jun 20, 2021
I had worked with Trainer Brittany for my lovely little pit mix. She did such a wonderful job with her, gave great criticism for us and suggestions on what to work on as our homework. I continually recognize the value we got and the care that was put into our puppy was phenomenal. You can trust that they will do their utmost to help you and your dog(s).
Megan S.
Dec 21, 2020
Our German Shepherd puppy began Plucky Puppy's Large Puppy Socials at 15 weeks old & continued until 20 weeks old. He is a very large, strong, high energy dog. When he began he was not responding to his name when around distractions but was great at his sit, stay & down commands. Brittany & Angela worked with him and after only 1 social he was able to be recalled with his name during lots of distractions!
This was a huge step in our personal training needs. When he aged out of the puppy socials, I came away with a pup that was able to be recalled during crazy puppy play & able to get him to relax! This is a HUGE deal, especially for an incredibly high energy breed, let alone a zany puppy. We get compliments on his puppy abilities all the time & we owe part of it to Plucky Puppy.
They were also incredibly flexible & compassionate with an acute sickness related class cancellation that resulted in a, much appreciated, refund. They were not contractually obligated to do so but they considered all of the factors at play & made a great conscientious decision. What a great team to work with! We highly recommend this company for high energy breeds.
This was a huge step in our personal training needs. When he aged out of the puppy socials, I came away with a pup that was able to be recalled during crazy puppy play & able to get him to relax! This is a HUGE deal, especially for an incredibly high energy breed, let alone a zany puppy. We get compliments on his puppy abilities all the time & we owe part of it to Plucky Puppy.
They were also incredibly flexible & compassionate with an acute sickness related class cancellation that resulted in a, much appreciated, refund. They were not contractually obligated to do so but they considered all of the factors at play & made a great conscientious decision. What a great team to work with! We highly recommend this company for high energy breeds.
Nw Tree Work
May 09, 2020
Puppy preschool: Very tight quarters, and not good for so many puppies crammed into an open retail store. We had a class at Fang and it was set up for us to fail.everyone stayed on a tight leash with treats shoved in their mouth the whole time to keep them down and quiet. NO social puppy play time at all. So, when we explained our puppy couldn't handle training in the aisles with other adult dogs coming and going.food everywhere, fridge noises etc. and we wanted socialization they said no refunds ever.
For the highest price class in town, terrible no refund policy, strange training ideas, etc.you can get more for your money. Owner Kaitryn was rude and disrespectful when told about the issues with the class.
For the highest price class in town, terrible no refund policy, strange training ideas, etc.you can get more for your money. Owner Kaitryn was rude and disrespectful when told about the issues with the class.
Kristen VanDevelde
Mar 07, 2020
I cannot recommend Plucky Puppy highly enough--the trainers are not only incredibly well educated and truly experts in the field of dog training, but they also love your dog as their own. We had our dearest fur-child experience serious health concerns while staying with one of the trainers and we could not have felt more comfortable knowing she would do what was best for Markley every step along the way. We owe our dog's life (& good manners!) to Plucky Puppy!
Amanda Steger
Jan 10, 2020
The smart, sweet pup I adopted in April had some fear based challenges and hadn't been socialized before. He was afraid to leave the house, go on walks, get into the car, etc. I took him to Plucky Puppy socials led by Angela, Kinderpuppy led by Lorena, and private training sessions with Lorena and in a matter of just a few weeks to a couple months he was playing games, practicing stillness, enjoying his walks, hopping into the car, and playing with other dogs.
He's become the curious, brave little guy I knew he could become with the right type of training and dedication. Lorena and Angela taught me more than I could have imagined about raising a puppy. Positive reinforcement training works and Plucky Puppy provides the best tools, techniques, and game plan to develop your dog and embark (pun intended!) on an amazing relationship. I can't thank Lorena enough for all I've learned about my Bertie!
He's become the curious, brave little guy I knew he could become with the right type of training and dedication. Lorena and Angela taught me more than I could have imagined about raising a puppy. Positive reinforcement training works and Plucky Puppy provides the best tools, techniques, and game plan to develop your dog and embark (pun intended!) on an amazing relationship. I can't thank Lorena enough for all I've learned about my Bertie!
Nadia Georgiou
Mar 20, 2019
I can't say enough good things about Angie at Plucky Puppy. Maverick is my first dog and I was quite nervous about the learning curve, despite having read and prepared as much as I could. Angie made me feel so comfortable, has helped me understand how Maverick learns new skills and how to begin to generalise them, and what to expect at each stage of development.
She has reassured me when I've been worried about the teen months etc, which has given me confidence that I can navigate this with the fun and consistent work she's taught me to do with Mav. And most of all, Maverick just adores her. She's a total dog whisperer. Group classes were fun (and hilarious!). It's a really lovely support system to have available when you're raising a pup. I can really recommend one to one training and group classes. Mav is now 16 weeks and is developing so well.
She has reassured me when I've been worried about the teen months etc, which has given me confidence that I can navigate this with the fun and consistent work she's taught me to do with Mav. And most of all, Maverick just adores her. She's a total dog whisperer. Group classes were fun (and hilarious!). It's a really lovely support system to have available when you're raising a pup. I can really recommend one to one training and group classes. Mav is now 16 weeks and is developing so well.
Heather Nicholas
Apr 30, 2018
My puppy and I both enjoyed our Kinderpuppy 1 class. Katrin is very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions both in and out of class time. When my dog did not respond well to one thing, there was always an alternative method. The homework she provides is critical and I suggest that as a pet owner, you take full advantage of the resources Plucky Puppy provides. Great value!
