The importance of an informed pet owner.

At Clinton Oaks, we believe education is key to successful dog ownership. When you decide to add a puppy to your family, we'll guide you through selecting the perfect match for your lifestyle.

Our Puppy Package includes essential training basics – from housebreaking to socialization and daily manners. You can practice these skills at home or join a professional training class. We highly recommend group classes at a local facility, where your puppy learns to focus despite distractions and you gain access to expert instructor guidance.

For Metro Detroit families, we recommend Sportsmen's Dog Training. If you're outside our area, your local grooming shop or veterinary hospital can suggest trusted trainers. We'll also share important guidelines for age-appropriate exercise to protect your puppy's growing joints and prevent issues like hip or elbow dysplasia.

Kerrie Grote Kerrie Grote

Puppy Matching

Experience taught us a hard lesson about 'pick order.' When puppies were chosen based on deposit timing, later families saw their puppy as 'leftover' or somehow less than perfect. No puppy should start life with that burden. We learned that a ranking system, even unintentional, serves neither the puppies nor their new families well. Each puppy deserves to be seen as the unique individual they are.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

New Puppy Orientation

Preparing for a new puppy? Our New Puppy Orientation provides essential tips and advice to help you confidently welcome your newest family member. Start your journey with the knowledge you need for a happy and healthy future together.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

Essential Puppy Shopping: Preparing for Your New Family Member

Setting up your home for a new puppy requires thoughtful preparation and the right supplies. From selecting the perfect crate to choosing appropriate toys, this comprehensive guide walks you through all the essential items needed to create a safe, nurturing environment for your puppy's first days home. Learn which investments are worth making early and how to choose equipment that will grow with your puppy through their developmental stages.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

Boarding Your Pet: A Guide to Successful Boarding

The goals of kennel owners are happy, healthy pets, and satisfied pet owners. This requires a cooperative effort from kennel owner and pet owner. When selecting a kennel, carefully evaluate its appearance, security, safety, supervision, sanitation, and health care protocols. A personal visit is essential to determine whether the kennel will be satisfactory for your pet.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

Making Grooming a Positive Experience

Grooming shouldn't be a battle between you and your pet – it should be a bonding experience that strengthens your relationship. From establishing the right environment to understanding breed-specific needs, proper grooming techniques can transform this essential care routine into an enjoyable activity for both you and your dog.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

A Complete Guide to House Training Your Puppy: Building Lifelong Good Habits

Your puppy arrives with a natural instinct for cleanliness - the key is learning how to nurture this instinct into reliable house training habits. Beyond just teaching where and when to go, proper house training establishes the foundation of your relationship with your puppy. Through consistent routines, positive reinforcement, and understanding your puppy's developmental needs, you can create a stress-free training experience that leads to lasting success. Discover how patience and proper technique in these early weeks can make the difference between a well-adjusted pet and ongoing challenges.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

Understanding and Preventing Destructive Puppy Chewing

Every puppy explores their world through their mouth, but destructive chewing doesn't have to be part of your journey together. From understanding why puppies chew to creating a safe environment and choosing the right toys, discover proven strategies that help redirect this natural behavior into positive habits. Learn how combining proper exercise, training, and appropriate chew toys can transform your puppy's destructive tendencies into healthy exploration.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

Creating Harmony: Kids and Dogs Living Together Successfully

Teaching your children and dog to live together peacefully isn't just about preventing problems – it's about building lasting relationships that enrich your family life. Through structured training, proper supervision, and positive reinforcement, you can help both your children and your puppy develop safe, rewarding interactions that last a lifetime. Learn proven techniques that transform challenging behaviors into opportunities for bonding and learning.

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Ryan Prestel Ryan Prestel

The Rise of Designer Dogs: Understanding the Trend

If you've browsed through pet listings lately, you've probably noticed an abundance of creatively named dogs – Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Maltipoos, and more. These "designer breeds" often come with premium price tags and promises of being the perfect combination of two beloved breeds.

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