Welcome to
YOUR Perfect Puppy
with Playtime Paws Academy
Raise a happy, well-behaved puppy!
YOUR Perfect Puppy, a comprehensive 4-week course, combined with the ongoing support of Playtime Paws Academy, gives you everything you need to navigate puppyhood with confidence.
Learn basic cues, tackle potty training, create strong bonds, and prevent bad habits.
Join now to build a fulfilling and rewarding life with your new family member.
"Debbie’s lessons made me feel confident and excited!"
In the weeks and months leading up to bringing our new puppy home, listening to Debbie’s lessons made me feel confident and excited! Her knowledge and support during that crazy time were so valuable in setting us up for success - I’d recommend the academy time and time again!
- Erica and Daisy
Is YOUR Perfect Puppy the right fit for you?
You're incredibly excited to bring this new fluff ball into your life. You're also a little nervous about being responsible for their health, well-being, and behavior. Naturally, you want to do everything right so things go smoothly from the start.
Whether it's just you and your pup or a family full of kids, I've got you covered.
This program has helped hundreds of new puppy owners navigate those crucial first months. With plenty of support, guidance, and a clear roadmap, you can enjoy your puppy without feeling overwhelmed.
YOUR Perfect Puppy is here for you if...
You're preparing for your puppy!
Bringing home your new puppy is exciting! You want to hit the ground running when your puppy gets home but don't know where to start.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by trying to do ALL the things. YOUR Perfect Puppy walks you through what you need and what you can save for later.
Combined with the weekly live support in Playtime Paws Academy, together we can make any modifications for your personal priorities.
You've added to your growing pack!
You've decided to add a four-legged member to your growing family. You're excited and your kids are excited. But you've realized parenting a puppy and kids is a completely different game. Sometimes the kid-puppy relationship isn't what TV and Social Media would have you believe.
You want to learn how to raise your kids and your puppy at the same time while keeping everything safe and fun!
YOUR Perfect Puppy has specific lessons and fun activities geared toward creating a healthy and fun relationship. We want them to be best friends for life!
Since every family is made up of all different personalities, inside Playtime Paws Academy we can help you apply everything you've learned to work best for your specific kids and family.
This is harder than you thought!
You did ALL the research and ALL the preparation but once your puppy came home it seemed to all go out the window. Now you're looking for some extra help and a guiding hand.
You're not alone! Puppy overwhelm is real! YOUR Perfect puppy will guide you through exactly what you need to know. No more no less.
And with a community of puppy parents, some going through what you are, some who have been there and have great advice, you'll never feel alone! Sometimes knowing it's "normal" is all you need to get through the rough times and focus on the good stuff!
Raising a puppy isn't rocket science but it is a skill we need to learn. Will you learn basic cues and how to listen with distractions? Of course. Will you learn about potty training and crate training? YES! You'll also learn how to build a relationship of trust and respect with your dog.
By the end you'll have:
Good Habits
You'll learn how to teach your pup and the family the house rules. Includes nipping, leash manners, chewing, and more.
Puppy priorities well underway.
Potty training, crate training, and socialization are the big three when it comes to raising your puppy. You'll have a system and schedule in place so you're ready for the next stages.
Essential Skills and Cues
You'll learn skills including basic cues, attention, and treat manners. As a bonus, you'll receive my popular programs 14 Days to a Stronger Recall and 14 Days to a Stronger Leave It.
Confidence as a puppy parent
It's not enough to just learn how to raise your puppy. Learning to see the world through their eyes and how they learn is essential to build your confidence as a pup parent. You'll feel ready to address future challenges that can come up throughout your dog's life.
Healthy kid-puppy relationship
The puppy and the kids will develop a fun, happy, and safe relationship. You'll learn specific house rules, fun games, and management tools. This includes kids both in and out of the household.
Well-adjusted puppy
The modern puppy isn't just well-behaved. With the help of their human, they're also happy and well-adjusted in a world that can be challenging to them.
Most importantly,
you will have learned how to build a relationship based on trust, respect, and understanding. This combined with all the skills you and your puppy learn, will put you on your way to a lasting, peaceful, and mutually fulfilling bond with your dog.
What Students Are Saying
"I feel confident about the basic principles she taught me."
I found “Your New Puppy” podcast right before I got my rescue puppy. I then got the whole Your Perfect Puppy and Academy program and Debbie was so helpful in the first year of my puppy Blossom’s life with me. We got off on the right foot and while there are still things to navigate, I feel confident about the basic principles she taught me. - Elissa and Blossom
"Debbie’s videos and resources were so so helpful to get us on the right track!"
We had never had a puppy before and Debbie’s videos and resources were so so helpful to get us on the right track! She helped us understand what to expect in our first months and how to best support our pup growing into a well behaved dog. We appreciated her perspective and constant reminders to enjoy the journey, too! - Julie and Millie
"I want to thank you (Debbie) for all your advice & support."
I want to thank you (Debbie) for all your advice & support. I learned SO much from you and enjoyed listening to your podcasts. You're EXCELLENT at your job. I enjoyed your philosophy & style of puppy training. - Maggie and Harley
Hi, Debbie here.
I'm the creator and guide inside YOUR Perfect Puppy's Course and Playtime Paws Academy.
Back in 2011, I quit the corporate world because I wanted to dedicate my time to the one passion I've had since I was 2 years old. Dogs.
I've been helping new puppy parents ever since. I love teaching all dog parents not just how to raise their puppies and train their dogs but also why we do what we do.
My goal is when I leave your house or you finish this course you'll have the knowledge and skills you'll need to continue to raise your pup no matter what comes up, not just what's happening while you're here.
If you want to learn more about me and my training style before you commit to the course, check out my podcast Your New Puppy. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts
YOUR Perfect Puppy: The Details
YOUR Perfect Puppy consists of four modules with 3-4 lessons each. You're given a calendar to follow so you know which lesson to watch and what you need to prioritize.
You get lifetime access to these lessons.
Check out what's included:
Module 1 - Set Up For Success
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty we need to set up the groundwork. This module will set the foundation for the rest of the course.
Lessons include:
- Lesson 1: Crate Training
- Lesson 2: Supervise, Supervise, Supervise
- Lesson 3: Exercise: A Tired Dog is a Good Dog
- Lesson 4: Create Your House Rules
Module 2 - Puppy Priorities
Once we lay down the foundation it's time to get crackin'! In this module, we talk about all the things you should tackle from day one.
Lessons included:
- Lesson 1: Complete Potty Training Process
- Lesson 2: Socialize Early and Often
- Lesson 3: Stop Puppy Nipping
Module 3 - Well Mannered Pup
In this module, we address some of the most common and important puppy behaviors.
Lessons included:
- Lesson 1: Teach Chewing and Stop Stealing
- Lesson 2: Prevent Resource Guarding
- Lesson 3: Loose Leash Walking
Module 4 - Life Long Learning
In this module, we wrap it up with everything you need to know to continue your education and your puppy's training.
Lessons included:
- Lesson 1: A Crash Course in Dog Body Language
- Lesson 2: Behavior Changes in the Next 18 Months
- Lesson 3: Where Do We Go From Here?
Skills and Cues
While working your way through the priorities above you can also add on the essential skills and cues you and your puppy need:
- The Basics:
- The Foundations of Teaching Your Dog Any Cue
- Step-by-step instructions on how to teach your puppy Sit, Down, and Stay.
- Treat Manners and Leave It
- Treat Manners
- Introduction to Leave It
- Teach the Cue "Leave It"
- Minefield
- Attention and Recall
- How to Teach Your Dog a Strong Recall
- Three attention and recall games: The Name Game, Boomerang, and Tag
- How to Teach Your Dog to Listen With Distractions - Recall
- Bonus: How to Teach an Emergency Recall
- Bonus: How to Teach Your Dog to Listen With Distractions
BONUSES AND EXTRAS
The lessons alone will put you well on your way to your well-behaved, well-mannered, and well-adjust pup!
As a new puppy parent, you need all the support you can get so I've added a little icing to you're already valuable cake!
Supplies for Your Puppy. Just walking into a pet store can be overwhelming with the wall-to-wall of pet supplies. It's hard to sort out what you actually need. I go over the basics from crates to toys to food so you can decide what your puppy needs and where to spend your money.
How to use a Kong. One of the best "training" tools for your pup! It keeps them occupied and tires them out. Unfortunately, most of us use them wrong causing our puppies to lose interest. I teach you the steps to introduce your puppy and teach them to LOVE their Kong so you can have hours of quiet time. Don't know what a Kong is? You will by the end of this course.
Games to Play with Your Puppy. Games are a great way to bond with (and train) your puppy. This bonus will teach you games adults, kids, and puppies will love. This bonus includes Puppy Ping Pong (great for recall), Freeze Tag (great for a jumpy puppy), and Puppy Soccer (great for redirecting a nippy puppy).
Mobile App. You can access all the lessons, bonuses, and resources on your phone. Watch the lessons on the go, pull them up on your partner or kids' phones, or when you catch a minute or two.
14 Days to a Stronger Recall and Leave It. Two of my most popular programs are included within the Skills and Cues. The workbooks will walk you through the lessons already inside the course step by step. If you love a clear schedule with small steps to reach your goals, then this bonus is for you!
All this good stuff and we haven't even gotten to the best part...
A Six Month Membership to
PLAYTIME PAWS ACADEMY
YOUR Perfect Puppy is where all the learning happens. Playtime Paws Academy is where all the support happens.
I will always encourage you to see your dog as the individual they are.
And I promise to do the same for you.
Each human and family member is as different as the pup you just adopted. This means no matter how much you learn you'll always need personalized support.
Enter Playtime Paws Academy.
The extra goodies you get with your Playtime Paws Academy membership
Weekly live calls with Debbie
Talk live with Debbie about a specific topic, ask about your most recent struggles, or come to hang out with your fellow pup parents.
A community of like-minded pup parents
The Academy Clubhouse is a community where you'll meet new puppy parents going through the same roller coaster journey as you. You'll also meet other supportive pup parents who have been where you are. No social media account is necessary!
A forum with all the topics every pup parent needs
Can't make the live calls? Post inside the Academy Clubhouse. Debbie responds to each post or question to help figure out what to do next! You can also search past questions to get help even quicker!
Hundreds of hours of searchable Q&A content
If you have a question, most likely it's been asked! Use a powerful tool to search all past Q&As for any topic you need.
Psst: For those keeping track, that's three different ways to get your questions answered! And there's still more...
Enrichment Database
Never run out of activities to help entertain your dog and burn all that extra energy. From Ditch the Bowl ideas to DIY toys to food-free activities. They are all categorized and sorted so you can find exactly what your pup needs. New activities are added monthly.
Mobile app
Listen to Q&As, participate in the community, and share with the family all through a convenient, user-friendly mobile app.
Private Podcast
A podcast that's only available only to Playtime Paws Academy students. Updated with exclusive content, lessons, and recordings only found inside the Academy.
Discounted access to new programs or private sessions.
Programs and private sessions that are not included inside the Academy are almost always offered at a discount to current members.
Stay for as long as you need.
Playtime Paws Academy is designed to support you through your entire journey. From your Puppy Path through your Adolecnet adventures to Active Adulthood! After your initial 6 months, you will be invited to join the Academy and stay for as long as you need.
Want a preview?
Click play and I'll walk you through all the resources so you can see exactly what they look like.
"What sets Debbie apart is the value she offers in her membership - an ongoing support system that is always there when you need it."
I can't recommend Debbie enough as a dog trainer! She is not just friendly and approachable, but incredibly knowledgeable about dog behavior. Over the course of our sessions, she has provided insightful and practical advice for every behavioral issue I've encountered with my pup, from the simplest to the most complex. What sets Debbie apart is the value she offers in her membership - an ongoing support system that is always there when you need it. Whether it's a quick question or an unexpected challenge, Debbie is just a message away, ready to provide guidance. Not to mention, the price of her membership is incredibly reasonable, especially when compared to other options in the market!
- Mary and Hammer
Two options to fit your budget.
Opt to pay in full and receive 2 bonus months inside Playtime Paws Academy.
14 Day Guarantee
Try YOUR Perfect Puppy and Playtime Paws Academy risk-free for 14 days. That is plenty of time to poke around attend a Q&A session or two
If it's not for you, no worries, just let us know and we will refund you.
To see the full refund policy click here.
Want a preview?
Click play and I'll walk you through all the resources so you can see exactly what they look like.
"We went from 30+ minutes of non-stop barking in the crate to settling within a minute now!"
Debbie, the Playtime Paws Academy, and the community have been vital to getting us where we are today! The Your Perfect Puppy course helped us get off on the right foot (we started this one even before we got our puppy). The weekly Q&A and Communities helped with answering questions specific to our pup and were very timely. Debbie also offers to review videos of certain behaviors to help come up with a solution tailored for you. One of our biggest challenges was crate training. And with Debbie's help we got from 30+ minutes of non-stop barking in the crate to settling within a minute now!
- Diana and Lychee
Let's review what you get...
✔️YOUR Perfect Puppy (Lifetime)
It includes detailed lessons on your puppy priorities along with addressing the most common behaviors to help you raise your well-mannered, well-behaved, and well-adjusted dog.
- Valued at $397
✔️YOUR Perfect Puppy - Skills and Cues (Lifetime)
Step-by-step videos and lessons on how to teach your puppy the essential skills they need. Including basic cues, treat manners, leave it, recall, and attention.
- Valued at $297
✔️A Supportive Community (6 months)
A judgment-free place to ask your questions and share your journey. Post pictures and videos, and chat with fellow pet parents, All with no social media account required.
- Valued at $150
✔️Direct access to Debbie (6 months)
All the lessons in the world won't give you the personalized support your special family dynamic needs. There are three ways to get your questions answered. Debbie will also be there with you every step of the way to help you navigate all the bumps in the road.
- Valued at $900
✔️Enrichment Database (6 months)
New activities are released monthly so you never run out of fun activities to do with your dog. They are all categorized and sorted so you can find exactly what you need to support your pup.
- Valued at $150
✔️Multiple wasy to access all the valuable resources (Lifetime)
From your desktop to your mobile phone to your favorite podcast provider there are multiple ways to access all of the valuable resources available to you.
- Priceless
Stop struggling by yourself.
Raising a dog is a skill! It's not something that comes naturally to us humans. As with any skill having a professional guide you and help you practice is the best way to learn!
Who do I listen to?
Between social media, bookstores, TV, and your well-intentioned friends and neighbors, it's hard to know who to listen to. Inside Playtime Paws Academy you get consistent advice from a trainer you trust.
Why does it feel like I'm the only one struggling?
YOU'RE NOT!! This will be a judgment-free zone of fellow pet owners all feeling the same way. You can support each other with the struggles and share in the joys of raising a dog.
But I've raised a puppy before
You've never raised THIS puppy. Plus we are learning new things every day about the best way to raise a happy well-adjusted dog. Debbie makes an effort to keep up to date and apply the most effective tools to help you raise your dog. She prioritizes you and your puppy's needs so you can build a relationship with lots of trust, fun, respect, and understanding.
"I followed Debbie's advice from the start and I must say this was a lifesaver."
I got an 8 week old English yellow lab at the end of July 2020. I never had a dog before and I knew there would be a lot of training involved, both for my puppy and me! I searched online for some guidance and came across Playtime Paws with Debbie Cilento. I listened to her podcasts and then went to the website and signed up for the Your Perfect Puppy course. The way Debbie talked about training just made so much sense to me. I followed Debbie's advice from the start and I must say this was a lifesaver. No doubt there were tough times in the puppy stage but my sweet girl, Millie, is a happy and well trained (well mostly) doggo. And after the puppy stage, Debbie was there for follow-up problems with the weekly online Zoom meetings. Debbie is a great source of knowledge with respect to dogs, training and their behavior. Thank you so much, Debbie.
- Karen and Millie
Your frequently asked questions answered...
What age does my puppy need to be to enroll in the Course
I have an older puppy, will this course still be worth it?
Will I have access to the course material after the 4 weeks is up?
Do I need any prior training experience required?
What training methods are used in the course?
Is there a community or forum I can connect with other participants?
Is there a money back guarentee if I am unsatified with the course?
Is this course suitable for all breeds of puppies?
Are there behavior issues this course will not address?
How does this course compare with hiring an in-person trainer?
Can't I find most of this information for free online?
How much time do I need to participate in the course?
What happens if I miss a live session or can't participate in real time?
How fast will I see results?
Two options to fit your budget.
Opt to pay in full and receive 2 bonus months inside Playtime Paws Academy
14 Day Guarantee
Try YOUR Perfect Puppy and Playtime Paws Academy risk-free for 14 days. That is plenty of time to poke around attend a Q&A session or two
If it's not for you, no worries, just let us know and we will refund you.
To see the full refund policy click here.
More about Debbie
I'm a Jersey girl with a passion for dogs and those who love them. I teach dog parents the knowledge, skills, and habits they need to confidently raise their well-mannerd dog while having fun along the way.
I host Your New Puppy's Poscast and offer in-person and online training for pup parents.
Learn more