PUPPY TRAINING HOUSTON IMMERSIVE PUPPY BOARD & TRAIN
Your puppy's brain is open for business — but only until about 16 weeks. OLK9 Houston's Puppy Board & Train is built for that exact window: a 2-week immersive program led by Justin Rie and his team that sends your puppy home potty trained, crate trained, socialized, and started on their first commands — the foundation that makes everything else easy.
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 the first few weeks.
That's why OLK9 Houston puts the messy, critical first weeks in the hands of a professional trainer with our Puppy Board & Train — sized for puppies 8 weeks to 4 months. The right answer isn't "do it later." It's "start now."
PUPPY BOARD & TRAIN
BUILT FOR THE CRITICAL WINDOW.
Two weeks of immersive training where your puppy lives and learns with a professional trainer — and comes home with the foundation already installed. Additional puppy programs are coming soon.
Puppy Board & Train
- 2 full weeks 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 PHONE CONSULT
WHAT'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 Board & Train is built for puppies 8 weeks to 4 months old, with safe, controlled socialization built in.
How much does puppy training cost in Houston?
OLK9 Houston's Puppy Board & Train is $1,700 for a 2-week immersive program for puppies 8 weeks to 4 months old. Affirm financing is available, and every puppy starts with a free phone consultation. More puppy programs are coming soon.
Is my puppy too young or too old for Puppy Board & Train?
Puppy Board & Train is built for puppies roughly 8 weeks to 4 months old. 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. We work only with vaccinated dogs in clean, controlled environments.
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 Board & Train, then return at 5–6 months for Board & Train — finishing with a fully trained adult dog by age one.
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 next step for your family. No pressure, no upsell. Open Mon–Sat: 9 AM – 7 PM · Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM.