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"The Ultimate Puppy Toolkit™ has helped us a lot in explaining to first time puppy owners that a well behaved dog is not the product of human affection, but that it is WORK that needs to be done at the early phases of a dog's development. We actually have been able to market our dog training classes better after the client got a kit. Its design is appealing enough to give busy people a quick idea about what counts. Well done..."
Dr. Ernst Marsig
Animal Hospital of Unionville
Unionville, Canada

who we are

The Ultimate Puppy toolkit™ was developed by dog advocate Peggy van Dam and seasoned trainer Sydney Bleicher. Since 1998 they have combined their extensive knowledge, shared values and concern for dogs and owners to address the glaring need for practical early education resources.

In addition to creating the Ultimate Puppy toolkit™, van Dam and Bleicher are working to foster cooperative links between accredited breeders, professional trainers and the vet community. Their goal is to see that new dog owners have access to a more integrated network of services and information.

Peggy van Dam and her husband lived 11 stressful and confined years with their adopted yellow lab, Yukon. Despite being a wonderful and well-loved companion, Yukon developed aggression toward small children and other dogs.

Seeking a solution, van Dam conducted exhaustive research that repeatedly pointed to Yukon's poor socialization when he was a pup. The research provided valuable insights into the importance of early prevention, but it also revealed a disturbing lack of useful hands-on guidance for new owners.

Sydney Bleicher has been a dog trainer and coach since 1992. Working with a great many clients and puppies, she has too often seen the problems that result from getting a late start on prevention and socialization.

Inspired by Dr. Ian Dunbar, the noted vet, animal behaviorist and best-selling author, Bleicher's practice focuses on critical early intervention. For the past several years she has worked exclusively and successfully with owners of puppies under 18 weeks of age.

Copyright © 2005 Urban Puppy Inc.