Wonder Puppy is a puppy parenting center in Portland, OR. We work with dogs and their people directly; we also partner with local veterinarians, breeders, rescues, and daycares to create good relationships between people and their puppies.
There are many parallels between puppies and children. That aside, dogs in our society need to know more than what their mothers can teach them. Left to their own, dogs raise their puppies to be like the wolves they descend from. But it's a "human's world" out there, and dogs need to "belong" in their human families. Instead of raising puppies to become like wolves, we parent them to become our companions, teaching them to co-exist with us according to human norms.
Some say that your first priority should be to dominate your puppy, proving that you're the "top dog." We disagree with that approach, and so does research. People have gotten seriously injured trying to be the alpha, and dogs have been hurt or traumatized. By contrast, our methods are safe, easy, healthy, practical... and fun!
Raising a happy dog calls for just the right ingredients. Good news! Wonder Puppy is here to guide you through it. We take the guesswork and runaround out of having a dog.
We invite you to browse our site, meet our trainers, sign up for a class, and make yourself at home. No matter what stage of the game you're at, Wonder Puppy is here for you and your puppy.
Wonder Puppy is staffed by Certified Pet Dog Trainers, as well as trainers and interns who are members of the APDT in process of getting certified. We're committed to creating positive results through a positive process.
Our "pet dog trainer" credentials are awarded through the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT). The CCPDT represents the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the largest dog-training association in the world. The APDT is an advocate for trainer continued education and the use of ethical training techniques and business practices.
(For those who are interested in learning to train dogs professionally, we offer a Professional Dog Trainers Program in compliance with APDT standards. Take a look!)
Not only can our trainers show you and your puppy how to work together, they'll help you set up a good game plan to navigate the many details of puppyhood... in a way that works for you.
Casey Newton is a nationally Certified Pet Dog Trainer by the APDT, and certified at "Primary Level TAGteach" by TAGteach International. She's also an official "Canine Good Citizen" evaluator.
As the founder of Wonder Puppy, LLC (formerly Portland Paws), Casey heads the Professional Dog Trainers Program here, educating aspiring trainers and assistants in the use of gentle, reliable training techniques. She also develops Wonder Puppy's "Wonder Gear" training products, and enjoys working with autism service dogs and their families.
Casey's dog training career began in Jackson Hole, WY, in 2002, when she opened her first business, Creature Comforts Professional Pet Sitting and Dog Training. Previously she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a focus on Animal Behavior from the College of Charleston, SC, in addition to completing an in-depth study of Ethology through the internationally renowned Comparative Behavior Program offered by the University of Tennessee.
Casey's love for animals developed much earlier, though, with her own family pets. As a child her "siblings" were the Dachshunds, German Shepherds, and Borzois that her parents bred and showed. Growing up with animals was invaluable for Casey - it gave her the magic touch that every professional trainer needs.