The day wraps up with a soft wind-down. Bill might enjoy a final snuggle, some light movement, or just a calm space to transition before pick-up.
For first-time pups, Day 1 includes an earlier 1:00 PM pick-up to help them adjust to the rhythm of a full day at Puppy School.
At Jumpstart, we believe that puppyhood is sacred.
These early weeks are full of potential, and we’re here to guide each pup, gently and intentionally, through real-world challenges and joyful discoveries.
For puppies like Bill, every day is a blend of structure and freedom, play and learning, rest and enrichment. And every moment is designed to support a lifetime of calm, confident companionship.
Jumpstart Puppy School
Our flagship foundational program for puppies 8 weeks to 6 months old. This multi-week immersive experience blends expert training, curated socialization, and daily enrichment to help your puppy grow into a confident, calm, and well-mannered companion. Ideal for anyone who wants to give their pup the very best start in life. Schedule a visit to the nursery.
Teen Tune-Up Program
For pups 6 to 18 months old who need support navigating adolescence. Whether you missed early training or just need a reset, this program offers targeted guidance in impulse control, recall, leash manners, and more, using the same loving, structured approach. Get started with Teen Tune-Up.
Daycare & Enrichment Program
A unique alternative to traditional doggy daycare. Perfect for dogs of all ages who thrive in smaller groups and intentional play environments. Our enrichment-focused care includes sensory games, gentle socialization, structured rest, and low-arousal activities that support mental and emotional balance.
Sign up for Daycare and Enrichment.
P.S. Follow us on Instagram—and reach out if you’re ready to begin your next chapter together.
What is it like to be a puppy in the Jumpstart Program at Hillary’s Hound House? You’re about to find out. Meet Bill, a 14-week-old English Cream Golden Retriever puppy in his second week of Jumpstart. On any given day you’ll find Bill alternating between training...
Enrichment is more than just playtime. It’s a purposeful way to meet your puppy’s emotional, physical, and mental needs through stimulating activities that mimic their natural instincts. From sniffing and scavenging to climbing, problem-solving, and social play,...
If you’ve ever raised a puppy, you know the early days are filled with wonder. Wiggly tails, floppy ears, clumsy paws—and that sweet innocence that melts your heart. But just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something shifts. Suddenly your puppy starts...
When it comes to getting a young puppy’s attention outdoors, we are generally limited to three things. The first is to create distance, to be at what I call, “a cooler orbit.” If things are too exciting and your puppy becomes overwhelmed, chances are you’re too close...
There are three habits native to all dogs. I call them, “The Calming Trifecta; Sniffing, Licking, and Chewing.” Sniffing, Licking, and Chewing are three activities that help puppies stay grounded in busy places with lots of distractions. They do this by lowering a...
We’ve talked a bit about creating an optimal environment for your puppy at home. What about outdoors, where all bets are off? This is an important question because every puppy is unique. In my Nursery we have puppies of all ages, sizes, and breeds and it is important...
In my quest to create the optimal puppy environment, I have discovered that cultivating a calm, predictable environment is key to everything from potty training to a puppy’s ability to focus, to learn and retain new skills – even to rest properly. “And yet, visit the...
Meet Luna, a Jumpstart Puppy graduate who mastered several challenges we frequently see with shy and fearful puppies. Join us as we practice, "Go Say Hi!" - first in the Nursery, then in a mall. To meet Luna today you’d never guess how fearful she was during during...
Welcome to The Talk, a conversation about Potty Training, how to set up your puppy at home and more important - ensure her success! Join us along with Katie and Coco, a 9 week old doodle puppy on their Visit to the Jumpstart Nursery in April, 2024. I also would like...
It is important in multi-dog households that each puppy or dog has a quiet place of his own (more on this in another chapter). Puppies and even dogs can easily become competitive for attention, food, treats, toys, even formerly unimportant items can become the focus...
If you live in or near Marin, California this is a great way to socialize your puppy. Nursery Visits are by appointment only and take place on Wednesday at 3:00PM.
Live near Marin, California? We invite you to visit with your puppy. You can schedule your visit to the Nursery here.
Live far away? You can still join us in the Jumpstart Nursery via online Puppy Boot Camps and Courses.
What is it like to be a puppy in the Jumpstart Program at Hillary’s Hound House? You’re about to find out. Meet Bill, a 14-week-old English Cream Golden Retriever puppy in his second week of Jumpstart. On any given day you’ll find Bill alternating between training...
Enrichment is more than just playtime. It’s a purposeful way to meet your puppy’s emotional, physical, and mental needs through stimulating activities that mimic their natural instincts. From sniffing and scavenging to climbing, problem-solving, and social play,...
If you’ve ever raised a puppy, you know the early days are filled with wonder. Wiggly tails, floppy ears, clumsy paws—and that sweet innocence that melts your heart. But just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something shifts. Suddenly your puppy starts...