Where the Playful Path to Confidence™ Begins

Puppy Development: 8 Weeks Through Adolescence

Raising a puppy is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

I’m Kimberly Rubadeau, a Puppy Development Specialist based in the Richmond area. I help families raise calm, confident puppies through positive, Fear Free® early learning and developmentally appropriate socialization.

My work is hands-on, gentle, and tailored to your puppy’s individual needs — always one puppy at a time.

Early Puppy Development (8–16 Weeks)

This is the most important stage of your puppy’s learning.

During this window, I provide structured, one-on-one developmental sessions designed to build strong, lasting foundations.

These are not daycare.
They are intentional development sessions focused on how your puppy learns, feels, and responds to the world.

Spots are limited so I can provide calm, individualized support for each puppy.

Enrichment Is Learning — Just the Playful Kind

Learning starts long before a puppy ever hears the word “sit.”

Enrichment is how puppies learn about the world.
It gives them safe, structured opportunities to explore, problem-solve, and interact with their environment — building curiosity, focus, and emotional regulation.

Socialization is how puppies feel about the world.
It’s the process of creating positive, supported experiences so they develop confidence, rather than becoming overwhelmed by new environments, sounds, or situations.

Together, enrichment and socialization shape how a puppy learns, feels, and responds for the rest of their life.

Alongside this, I introduce practical life skills — sit, down, wait, touch, place, and more — in a way that is positive, clear, and developmentally appropriate.

Cue training teaches specific responses, while enrichment teaches puppies how to think. Together, they create a well-rounded learner — one who is confident, curious, and able to engage with the world.

What We Focus On During Sessions

Each session is tailored to your puppy and may include:

• Gentle, developmentally appropriate social exposure

• Foundational skills and cooperative care basics

• Enrichment that builds confidence and problem-solving

• Rest cycles to support emotional regulation

• Gradual outings for real-world learning

• Meeting your puppy exactly where they are that day

With one puppy at a time, your puppy receives calm, focused, personalized guidance throughout the entire session.

Some puppies who begin during this early window may continue into an adolescence program (17+ weeks) after an evaluation. This is individualized and not offered in every case.

Individual Sessions

For puppies outside the early window or families looking for targeted support, I offer one-on-one coaching sessions in your home.

These sessions are fully personalized and may include:

• Foundational skills (sit, down, recall, touch, place)

• Calm greetings and impulse control

• Crate/pen comfort and alone-time support

• House training guidance

• Confidence building and enrichment routines

• Support through adolescent stages and big feelings

Ideal for families who want guidance that fits into their real, everyday life.

New Puppy Preparation Consultation

For families preparing to bring a puppy home — or deciding if now is the right time.

We can cover:

• Choosing a breeder or rescue

• Preparing your home and setup

• Early routines and realistic expectations

• Crate and pen comfort

• Socialization plans that prevent overwhelm

• Enrichment and prevention-focused support

These consults help you feel confident and prepared before your puppy even comes home.

Every Puppy Starts Somewhere

Not every puppy begins in the same place — and not every family knows exactly what they need right away.

And that’s okay.

I offer flexible, individualized support that meets you and your puppy where you are — whether that’s building confidence, creating structure, working through early challenges, or simply understanding your puppy better.

Every session is hands-on, Fear Free®, and tailored to your puppy’s development. I pay close attention to how your puppy is learning and growing, and I’ll keep you supported every step of the way.

What makes my approach different is that I’m not just looking at what your puppy is doing , I’m looking at how they’re feeling in that moment.

Because when a puppy feels safe and supported, learning becomes possible.

If a puppy isn’t responding, it’s not stubbornness, it’s information. It tells us something about the environment or how they’re experiencing it.

From there, we adjust, support, and build confidence, so your puppy can move through the world with curiosity instead of pressure.

This is The Playful Path to Confidence™ — built on trust, not pressure.

Let’s Get Started

If your days are busy and you’re unsure how to give your puppy everything they need — you’re not alone.

My structured, individualized sessions reduce overwhelm, build healthy routines, and support your puppy in becoming a calm, confident companion.

📩 Reach out to get started or learn more about current availability.