PUPPY TRAINING HOUSTON 3 PROGRAMS FOR PUPPIES 10 – 20 WEEKS OLD
Your puppy's brain is open for business — but only until about 16 weeks. OLK9 Houston's puppy training programs are built for that exact window, led by Justin Rie and his team, designed to give Houston families the foundation that makes everything else easy: potty trained, crate trained, socialized, and starting their first commands. Choose the path that fits your puppy: Consultation, 1-Week Puppy Board & Train, or AKC S.T.A.R. 6-Lesson Package.
THE 16-WEEK WINDOW
YOU CAN'T GET BACK.
Between roughly 3 and 16 weeks of age, your puppy is in what veterinary behaviorists call the critical socialization period — a once-in-a-lifetime developmental window where their brain is wired to accept new people, dogs, sounds, surfaces, and experiences as normal and safe. After that window closes, anything brand-new starts to feel scary instead of interesting.
Most Houston families don't realize this is happening — and by the time they call us at 8 or 10 months old because their dog is reactive on leash, scared of the vacuum, or barking at strangers, we're playing catch-up on something that could have been prevented in 6 weeks of puppy class.
That's why OLK9 Houston offers three puppy paths — sized to fit your schedule, your budget, and how hands-on you want to be. The right answer isn't "do it later." It's "start now."
PICK THE PUPPY PATH
BUILT FOR YOUR FAMILY.
Each Houston puppy program exists for a different stage and different level of commitment. The right one depends on your puppy's age, your bandwidth, and how much you want to do yourself versus hand off to a pro.
Puppy Training Consultation
- Foundation roadmap for basic obedience
- House training playbook — stop the accidents
- What to expect at every developmental stage
- Q&A session for everything you're wondering:
- Feeding schedules & nutrition basics
- Crate setup & nighttime routines
- Biting, mouthing & chewing solutions
- When to start which command
- Personalized curriculum for your specific puppy
(713) 730-4998 · FREE 15-MIN CONSULT
Puppy Board & Train
- 1 full week of immersive training
- Lives with a Pro Trainer 24/7
- Foundation focus areas:
- Potty Training
- Crate Training
- Bite Inhibition
- In-Home socialization with other dogs
- Starter commands:
- Come
- Sit
- Early leash handling
- Owner turnover session to keep it all going
(713) 730-4998 · FREE 15-MIN CONSULT
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Package
- 6 fully private 30-minute lessons
- Positive reinforcement methodology
- Topics covered in class:
- Potty Training
- Nutrition
- First Aid
- Vaccination Schedules
- Socializing & Imprinting
- Positive Behavioral Shaping
- Commands taught: Come · Sit · Place · Heel · Down
- Trick training bonus for quick learners
- AKC S.T.A.R. Certificate on completion CERTIFIED
(713) 730-4998 · FREE 15-MIN CONSULT
HOW TO PICK
YOUR HOUSTON PUPPY PROGRAM.
You're confident, you've got time, and you just need a pro to set the curriculum and answer your questions. One session. One plan. You take it from there.
→ PUPPY CONSULTATIONWork schedules are packed, kids are at school, and you'd rather hand off the messy first week. We do potty, crate, bite inhibition, and starter commands. You pick up a puppy with a foundation.
→ PUPPY BOARD & TRAINYou want to be the trainer. You want to build the bond. You want a recognized certificate at the end. 6 private lessons. Full curriculum. AKC S.T.A.R. cert in hand.
→ AKC S.T.A.R. PACKAGEWHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR
PUPPY'S BRAIN.
Understanding the four key stages of puppyhood helps Houston families know when to start, what to expect, and why timing matters. Every stage opens new training opportunities — and closes others.
WHY HOUSTON FAMILIES
START PUPPIES WITH OLK9.
The puppies we train today are the dogs that stay out of Houston's bite statistics tomorrow. That's not a slogan — it's the case for starting early.
Behavioral problems are the #1 cause of death in dogs under three years old — more than disease, infection, or trauma combined. Most behavior problems are preventable with early puppy training. Source: AAHA Behavior Management Guidelines
The AVSAB and AAHA both confirm the primary socialization window is 3 to ~14 weeks, with the door beginning to close around 16 weeks. Puppy training during this window is the single most important investment in your dog's adult behavior. Source: AVSAB Puppy Socialization Position Statement
Justin Rie is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who built OLK9 Houston on balanced training methodology and family-warm Texas values. 293+ verified 5-star Google reviews since 2010. Part of the Off Leash K9 Training national network founded by Nick White.
PUPPY TRAINING
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
When should I start training my puppy in Houston?
As soon as your puppy comes home — typically 8 to 10 weeks. The critical socialization window is 3 to 16 weeks, and waiting until "the shots are done" can mean missing it entirely. Our puppy programs are designed for puppies 10 to 20 weeks old, with safe, controlled socialization built in.
How much does puppy training cost in Houston?
OLK9 Houston puppy training runs $100 for a single Consultation, $450 for the AKC S.T.A.R. 6-Lesson Package, and $850 for the 1-Week Puppy Board & Train. The right tier depends on how much you want to do yourself versus hand off to a professional trainer.
What's the difference between the 3 puppy programs?
The Consultation ($100) is a one-time curriculum-and-roadmap session — you do the work. The AKC S.T.A.R. Package ($450) is 6 private lessons where you learn alongside your puppy and earn an AKC certificate. The Puppy Board & Train ($850) is 1 week of immersive training where your puppy lives with a pro trainer and comes home with the foundation installed.
What is the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certificate?
AKC S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility — the American Kennel Club's official certification for puppies who complete a structured 6-week puppy training course. It's a recognized credential issued by the AKC and a great early step toward future Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification.
Is my puppy too young or too old for these programs?
Our puppy programs are built for puppies roughly 8 weeks to 20 weeks old (the Puppy Board & Train sweet spot is 8 weeks to 4 months). Once your puppy hits about 5 months, they're typically ready to graduate into our Basic Obedience or Board & Train programs. Not sure which stage you're in? Take the quiz below.
Is my puppy safe to train before all vaccines are done?
Yes — when done responsibly. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) specifically recommends starting puppy socialization before full vaccination, because the behavioral risk of waiting outweighs the disease risk in controlled settings. Our programs use clean facilities and vaccinated dogs only.
Where is the Houston puppy training facility?
Our training facility is in Katy, Texas, approximately 25 minutes west of downtown Houston. Families from across Greater Houston — Memorial City, Houston Heights, The Woodlands, Pearland, Cypress, Baytown — bring their puppies to us. Call (713) 730-4998 for the exact address and to book your first session.
What happens after my puppy graduates?
Around 5 months old, your puppy is typically ready to step up into our Basic, Advanced, or Elite Board & Train programs, where we lock in full off-leash obedience. Many Houston families do puppy training with us, then come back at 5-6 months for Board & Train — finishing with a fully trained adult dog by 1 year.
START YOUR
PUPPY RIGHT.
START NOW.
Free 15-minute phone consultation with our Houston intake team. We'll learn about your puppy's age, breed, and personality — and recommend the right puppy program for your family. No pressure, no upsell. Open Mon–Sat: 9 AM – 7 PM · Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM.