1. Understanding Your Requirements
Every family is different, so we start by getting to know what you're looking for in a puppy and what life in your home will be like.
We'll discuss your preferred breed, size, sex and other preferences, as well as your family, lifestyle and experience with dogs. If you're unsure which breed would suit you best, we'll help you explore the options.
This gives us a clear picture of the type of puppy we're looking for before the search begins.
2. Finding Your Puppy
Once we understand what you're looking for, we begin searching for suitable litters from responsible breeders.
We look beyond photographs and availability. We consider the breeder, the way the puppies are being raised, appropriate health testing for the breed and the information available about the parents and litter.
We only progress with a litter when we're satisfied that it meets the standards we'd expect if we were choosing a puppy for ourselves.
3. Choosing & Securing Your Puppy
When we find a suitable litter, we'll share the details with you, including photographs and videos where available, so you're involved in the decision before anything is agreed.
We then help identify the puppy that best matches your family and requirements, considering temperament and suitability rather than simply choosing on appearance.
Once you're happy to proceed, you purchase your puppy directly from the breeder. We then arrange collection when the puppy is ready to leave its mother, usually between 8 and 10 weeks of age, and their training with Puppy Steps begins.
4. Training & Family Life
Once we collect your puppy, they come to live with us as part of our family for their four-week training programme. We don't use kennels — your puppy experiences everyday home life from the beginning.
During their stay, we work on the foundations they'll need for life with you, including toilet training, crate training, calm settling, sitting and waiting, recall foundations and an introduction to walking on a lead.
Training is combined with carefully managed socialisation and everyday experiences. Puppies spend time around adults, children, our own dogs and other puppies, while becoming accustomed to the sights, sounds and routines of normal family life.
Every puppy is different, so their training is adapted to their individual temperament, confidence and progress rather than following a rigid programme.
Throughout their stay, we'll keep you involved with regular photographs, videos and updates so you can follow their progress before they come home.
5. Coming Home & Lifetime Support
At the end of your puppy's training programme, we'll arrange their handover and take you through everything you need to know to continue the routines and training we've established.
We'll explain their daily routine, feeding, toilet habits, crate routine, training cues and progress, as well as anything specific to your individual puppy. The aim is to make the transition from our home to yours as smooth and consistent as possible.
Our support doesn't end when your puppy goes home. Lifetime support is included with every Puppy Finding & Training programme, so if you need advice as your puppy grows and develops, we're here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you currently have trained puppies available?
We don't usually hold trained puppies for sale. Instead, our Puppy Finding & Training Service is tailored to each family. We help you find a suitable puppy from a responsible breeder, you purchase your puppy directly from the breeder, and we then collect them when they're ready to leave their mother and begin their training with Puppy Steps.
How long does the sourcing and training process take?
Training typically lasts four weeks, although longer programmes can be arranged if required. We usually begin sourcing your puppy around 4–6 weeks before their training is due to start.
As we deliberately train only a small number of puppies at a time, training spaces can book several months in advance. We therefore recommend getting in touch early, particularly if you have a specific timeframe in mind.
What training foundations are included?
During their time with us, we work on the foundations your puppy will need for everyday family life. This includes toilet training, crate training, calm settling, sitting and waiting, recall foundations and an introduction to walking on a lead.
We also introduce carefully managed socialisation and everyday experiences appropriate to your puppy's age and development. Every puppy is different, so their training is adapted to their individual temperament, confidence and progress.