Step 1
Wake + Morning Potty
Puppies begin the day with a gentle wake-up and immediate potty break. This anchors a predictable rhythm and reinforces where to go right from the start.
Rhythm & Routine
4-Week Doodle School: Curriculum, Tuition & Daily Routine
An immersive, boutique program with limited availability.
A boutique, immersive imprinting experience available exclusively to Stokeshire puppies.
The 4-Week Doodle School™ program is our signature foundational immersion — created for families who want their puppy to step into their home with structure, confidence, and an emotionally steady start.
Unlike traditional obedience classes or quick drop-off lessons, Doodle School is a 24/7 in-home, relationship-based program. Your puppy lives with a Stokeshire-vetted, therapy-informed trainer, learns through consistent routines, and experiences developmentally appropriate socialization during the exact imprinting window where foundational habits form (8–12 weeks).
This page outlines the curriculum, training goals, tuition, logistics, and daily rhythm of the 4-Week Doodle School™ experience.
Looking for a training overview?
For a full look at all Stokeshire training options (including Bootcamp):
“Our Curriculum is Built on Empathy and Confidence”
“Our Curriculum Is Built on Empathy and Confidence.”
Because the first few weeks shape so much.
At Stokeshire, we believe a well-loved puppy begins with a thoughtful foundation. Our 4-Week Doodle School™ offers an intentional start that nurtures trust, introduces early skills, and supports the bond between you and your puppy before you even meet.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about giving your puppy the strongest, calmest beginning and a framework you can continue to build on at home with your own trainer or training program.
“Wonderful experience from start to finish. Beautiful and informative website. Very professional and seamless communication leading up to bringing our new puppy home. The couple of questions I had in the first few weeks of bringing her home were also answered so quickly and thoroughly. We did have our mini bernedoodle go through boot camp and also 4 weeks of doodle school with Karlee, which was very helpful! She did a fantastic job. We are so in love with our newest family member, Zara.”
Who Doodle School™ Is (and Isn’t) For
Doodle School is designed for families who:
Want their puppy’s first month to be structured, intentional, and emotionally attuned
Value expert support during the busy 8–12 week window
Intend to continue training with a professional after their puppy comes home
Prefer a smoother transition instead of starting from scratch with an 8-week-old
Doodle School may not be the right fit if:
You’re expecting a fully finished, perfectly obedient puppy at 12 weeks
You’re hoping to skip long-term training or avoid investing in a trainer after go-home
You want advanced task work, service-level skills, or complex obedience at this age
Think of Doodle School as Kindergarten — the first, crucial step in a lifetime of learning, not the last.
8-Week Puppy vs 12-Week Doodle School™ Graduate
A quick look at how early imprinting softens the transition from new-puppy chaos to calm, confident beginnings.
| Category | Typical 8-Week Puppy | 12-Week Doodle School™ Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Crate Comfort | Cries at night, resists crate | Familiar with crate, often seeks it out for rest |
| Potty Rhythm | Frequent accidents, no pattern | Structured potty schedule introduced |
| Sleep | Fragmented, inconsistent | More predictable nap and nighttime rhythm |
| Socialization | Minimal exposure | Started 80-point socialization checklist |
| Handling & Grooming | Resists nail touch, brushing, bath | Early desensitization to grooming & vet-style handling |
| Leash Experience | None | Gentle introduction to harness, collar, and leash cues |
| Emotional Regulation | Easily overwhelmed | Practicing settling, redirection, and calm recovery |
| Human Bond | Just beginning | Intentionally bonded through a relationship-based routine |
Doodle School doesn’t “skip the puppy stage” — it softens it, giving your family a bridge between new-puppy chaos and a calmer, more confident beginning.
Setting a routine is one of the most crucial aspects of puppy ownership. Puppies, like small children, require a great deal of sleep and thrive when there is a balance for their wake-sleep-play intervals.
Program Overview
Duration: 4 immersive weeks (8–12 weeks of age)
Tuition: $4,000 (due on Pick/Selection Day)
Trainer: One of Stokeshire’s vetted, therapy-informed trainers
Living Arrangement: Puppy lives with trainer 24/7
Updates: Weekly report cards + photos/videos
Pickup/Delivery: At 12 weeks, with an overview
Extras: Additional days available at $150/day
Delivery: Hand-delivery available for an added fee
What Your Puppy Learns in 4 Weeks
Foundation — Not Finished
Your puppy’s 4-week curriculum is designed to build confidence, rhythm, and emotional stability, not perfection. Skills are introduced in gentle, age-appropriate layers.
4-Week Doodle School™ Curriculum
1. Crate & Potty Conditioning • Rhythm • Sleep • Security
A foundational rhythm is established:
- predictable potty schedule
- crate comfort during naps and nighttime
- learning to settle independently
- early signals for going potty
- reduced overnight disruptions
Important: Accidents are developmentally normal and may still occur after going home. The goal is rhythm — not perfection.
2. House Manners & Early Obedience • Kindergarten-Level Foundations
Puppies are introduced to the language of training in a nurturing, positive environment:
- Sit, Down, Come, Kennel, Wait
- responding to a positive interrupter to redirect unwanted behavior
- exposure to the “off” cue to discourage jumping
- settling on a mat or bed
- respecting thresholds (doors, gates, entryways)
These are introductions, not mastery — similar to learning the alphabet before reading chapter books.
3. Leash & Handling Skills • Calm Movement • Gentle Care
Gentle exposure to:
- walking calmly beside a handler
- responding to light leash cues
- harness/collar desensitization
- being calmly touched for grooming
- vet-style handling (ears, paws, mouth touch, brief restraint)
These early exposures help prevent common struggles later in life such as pulling, grooming fear, and vet resistance.
4. Confidence & Socialization • Real-World Readiness
Intentional, age-appropriate experiences from our 80-point checklist:
- new environments and surfaces (grass, gravel, wood, rubber, etc.)
- car rides and travel crates
- exposure to men, women, and children
- controlled exposure to safe, known dogs
- supervised peer play
- household sounds (vacuum, dishwasher, doorbell, etc.)
- support during early fear periods
All socialization is performed in controlled, emotionally mindful ways to build confidence without overwhelm.
5. Grooming & Hygiene Routines • Care • Comfort • Cooperation
Built into the weekly rhythm:
- weekly baths
- early blow-dryer desensitization
- brushing and combing
- nail touch & trims
- light sanitary trim exposure
- ear touch and cleaning practice
These early habits dramatically reduce stress for future grooming and home hygiene routines.
“We’ve had our sweet boy, Winston (a Mini Bernedoodle), home for eight weeks now. We met him as a 6 lb fluffball and brought him home at 12 weeks—and he’s already 24 lbs of love! James and Katie were so helpful throughout the entire process, always communicating clearly and showing how much they care. We originally planned to wait for a later litter, but after a great conversation with James, we knew Winston was the one. His early training made a huge difference—he sleeps through the night, goes to his crate without a bribe, and has adjusted so well to our home. He’s confident, smart, and full of puppy energy. We love him to pieces!”
4-Week Foundational Puppy Preschool Program
Our 4-Week Doodle School™ functions as your puppy’s preschool:
- A confident introduction to socialization, house manners, and early skills
- Gentle shaping of routines that can make your first weeks at home much smoother
- A framework you and your future trainer can continue to build on as your puppy matures
Week-by-Week: A Typical 4-Week Journey
Week 1 — Orientation & Bonding
- Settling into the trainer’s home
- Crate introduction and short rest periods
- Gentle handling and touch desensitization
- Establishing a basic potty schedule
- Beginning exposure to household sights and sounds
Week 2 — Rhythm & Repetition
- Strengthening crate comfort and nap routines
- More consistent potty trips and patterns
- Early leash and harness exposure
- Safe introductions to new environments & surfaces
- Gentle exposure to age-appropriate people and dogs
Week 3 — Skills & Confidence Building
- Introductions to Sit, Down, Come, Kennel, Wait
- Practicing redirection & positive interrupter techniques
- Supervised play with peers and enrichment work
- Continued car rides and public outings (weather permitting)
- More advanced crate and alone-time practice
Week 4 — Transition Prep & Home-Life Rehearsal
- Fine-tuning routines and transitions
- Practicing entryways, door manners, and calm greetings
- Vet/grooming-style handling rehearsals
- Confirming schedule details for the go-home plan
- Preparing your written transition guide and report card
Daily Routine Snapshot
A typical day for a Doodle School puppy follows a calm, predictable rhythm that balances rest, learning, play, and socialization.
Step 2
Breakfast + Calm Engagement
After breakfast, engagement remains calm and intentional rather than overstimulating. This helps puppies regulate their energy and focus for the day ahead.
Calm Start
Step 3
Short Training Sessions
Two to three focused sessions introduce age-appropriate skills like sit, come, crate comfort, and leash awareness using positive reinforcement and gentle repetition.
2–3 Sessions / Day
Step 4
Crate Naps & Quiet Time
Regular crate naps and quiet breaks support brain development and emotional regulation while building a positive association with the crate as a safe den.
Rest & Regulation
Step 5
Supervised Play & Enrichment
Play is intentional and supervised, using toys, puzzles, and simple games to build confidence, curiosity, and healthy outlets for normal puppy energy.
Play with Purpose
Step 6
Socialization Activity or Outing
Once per day, puppies experience an age-appropriate exposure—such as new surfaces, car rides, or meeting safe, known people—drawn from our socialization checklist.
Real-World Readiness
Step 7
Evening Potty & Crate Reset
As the day winds down, an evening potty break and calm crate time reinforce bedtime routines and help reduce nighttime disruptions.
Evening Rhythm
Step 8
Early, Healthy Bedtime
Puppies need plenty of sleep. An early, consistent bedtime supports healthy development and keeps your puppy on a family-friendly schedule.
Healthy Sleep
Every trainer adjusts the schedule slightly based on your puppy’s age, temperament, and needs — the rhythm stays consistent, even as the details are personalized.
Logistics, Support & FAQs
What to Expect at Pickup
When you arrive for pickup, your trainer will:
- walk you through your puppy’s daily schedule
- explain the cues, routines, and patterns your puppy has been practicing
- demonstrate crate, leash, and basic obedience work
- answer your questions and help you prepare for the first 48–72 hours at home
You’ll receive:
- a written transition guide
- health records from Medford Veterinary Clinic
- a summary of what your puppy has practiced and where they’re still developing
- ongoing support for the first 30 days post-graduation
Enrollment & Availability
Enrollment in Doodle School is intentionally limited to a small number of puppies per session to ensure individualized care and attention.
- Tuition: $4,000 + tax
- Due: Match/Selection Day (typically 6–7 weeks)
- Non-Refundable: Due to limited trainer availability and advance trainer scheduling
- Transfers: Families unable to participate in their reserved session may inquire about transferring to a future program, subject to availability and trainer capacity
Post-Graduation Support
Our commitment continues beyond your puppy’s 4-week stay. Each family receives:
- weekly updates during training with photos and/or videos
- a personalized transition guide at pickup
- ongoing phone and email support for 30 days after graduation
This support is designed to help you reinforce and extend your puppy’s foundation at home with confidence and consistency.
Health & Safety
All puppies in Doodle School are:
- monitored daily for health and behavior
- provided structured play and guided socialization
- kept on a deworming and vaccination schedule
- supervised by our team in partnership with Medford Veterinary Clinic
⚠️ Note: Your veterinarian will still need to administer the second round of Parvo and core vaccines around 12 weeks of age, along with any additional vaccines recommended for your region and lifestyle.
Doodle School™ Disclaimer & Commitment
Doodle School provides a foundational introduction to training and socialization. Each puppy’s progress may vary depending on temperament, age, and environment.
- continued consistency at home will be essential for long-term success
- Stokeshire Designer Doodles does not guarantee specific outcomes or timelines
- we are committed to offering the highest level of care, guidance, and support during your puppy’s stay
How Doodle School™ Is Shaping the Industry
Over the past several years, breeders across the country have quietly adopted elements of the Stokeshire Doodle School™ model — extended stays, in-home imprinting, and early training before go-home.
We’re honored by this. It means the industry is shifting toward what we’ve believed from the beginning:
Fewer untrained dogs = fewer families overwhelmed = fewer dogs surrendered.
An untrained, under-socialized dog is one of the leading reasons pets are rehomed or surrendered to shelters. By investing in early training, structure, and support, we’re not just helping your family — we’re helping change what responsible adoption looks like.
Is a 4-Week Doodle School™ Puppy Right for You?
A few helpful questions to consider:
- Do I realistically have the time for consistent, daily training on my own?
- Would professional early training reduce stress in our home (especially with young children or a demanding schedule)?
- Am I prepared to continue training with a professional trainer or structured program after Doodle School?
- Will the cost of training be worth the smoother transition and calmer start for my family?
Many families are fully capable of training their own puppy — but choose Doodle School to soften the hardest weeks, protect their bandwidth, and give their puppy a confident, stable beginning.
Doodle School™ FAQs
Will my puppy be “fully trained” after 4 weeks?
No. Your puppy will have a meaningful foundation in crate comfort, potty rhythm, basic manners, socialization, and early obedience — but they will still be a puppy. Ongoing training and consistency at home are essential.
Will my puppy still have accidents?
Most likely, yes. Accidents are developmentally normal. The goal is a predictable rhythm and awareness, not perfection.
What commands will my puppy know?
Most puppies will have been introduced to Sit, Down, Come, Kennel, Wait, and a positive interrupter. Consistency varies by personality and developmental pace.
Can I visit my puppy during Doodle School?
If you live nearby, visits may be scheduled directly with your trainer when appropriate and consistent with your puppy’s routine and safety.
Do you guarantee specific outcomes?
We guarantee high-quality care and a structured foundation, not specific behaviors or timelines. Every puppy is different.
Do you recommend continued training after Doodle School?
Absolutely. We strongly encourage all Stokeshire families to work with a professional trainer after their puppy comes home, and many go on to pursue Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and beyond.
