““The Doodle Prep School Training Philosophy
””

Understanding LIMA & The Rule of 3s

At Doodle Prep School, we believe training is about far more than obedience.

Our mission is to help raise emotionally healthy, confident, stable dogs through trust, communication, structure, and consistency. Every puppy we work with is treated as an individual, and every family is guided with the understanding that successful training begins with relationship first.

Two of the foundational principles that shape our program are LIMA and the Rule of 3s — concepts that help both dogs and families thrive together.

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What is LIMA?

LIMA stands for:

Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive

LIMA is considered the gold standard of ethical dog training and is supported by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) along with many of the world’s most respected canine behavior organizations.

In fact, professional trainers who become members of the APDT agree to uphold LIMA principles in their training practices.

But what does that actually mean for your dog?

At Doodle Prep School, it means we focus on:

Clear communication
Positive reinforcement
Calm guidance
Structure and consistency
Relationship-based leadership
Teaching through understanding rather than fear

We avoid harsh, intimidating, or fear-based methods whenever possible because our goal is not simply to create a dog that obeys commands.

Our goal is to create a dog that is:

Confident
Emotionally secure
Trusting
Stable
Engaged with their family
Prepared for lifelong success

We believe the best-trained dogs are not fearful dogs — they are connected dogs.

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Understanding the Rule of 3s

One of the most important things we teach families is this:

Dogs need time to adjust.

Whether a puppy is going home for the first time, entering a training program, or transitioning into a completely new environment, there is always an adjustment period.

This adjustment period is commonly known as:

3 Days • 3 Weeks • 3 Months

Understanding this concept helps families develop realistic expectations and creates a much smoother transition for both the dog and the household.

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The First 3 Days

“Everything is brand new.”

During the first few days, your puppy is processing an entirely new world.

Even confident puppies can feel overwhelmed during this transition.

Families may notice:

Shyness or nervousness
Sleeping more than usual
Reduced appetite
Clinginess
Quiet behavior
Uncertainty or hesitation

This is completely normal.

At this stage, you are not yet seeing your puppy’s true personality.

Your puppy is learning:

Who you are
Where they are
What feels safe
What the new routine looks like

This is why we encourage families to:

Keep routines calm and predictable
Avoid overwhelming environments
Teach gently and clearly
Focus on trust before pressure
Remember that even trained puppies need guidance in a new environment

Patience during this stage builds security.

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The First 3 Weeks

“The puppy begins adapting.”

As the weeks progress, your puppy begins settling into daily life.

This is when they start learning:

Household routines
Potty schedules
Sleeping patterns
Family expectations
Names and commands
Boundaries and structure

During this phase, families often begin seeing:

More personality
Increased confidence
More energy
Testing of boundaries
Stronger attachment to the family

This stage is incredibly important because consistency becomes everything.

Dogs learn through repetition, clarity, and calm leadership. The habits developed during these weeks begin shaping long-term behavior patterns.

This is where structure matters most.

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The First 3 Months

“The dog becomes fully settled.”

By around three months, most dogs begin feeling fully integrated into the family.

At this point, they often:

Understand the household routine
Feel emotionally secure
Know expectations and boundaries
Develop deeper trust and attachment
Begin showing their true long-term personality

This is when the relationship truly starts flourishing.

The first three months often lay the foundation for the dog’s future success — emotionally, behaviorally, and socially.

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Our Goal at Doodle Prep School

At Doodle Prep School, we are not simply training dogs.

We are:

Teaching communication
Building confidence
Creating emotional stability
Helping families better understand their dogs
Establishing healthy lifelong relationships

When families understand LIMA and the Rule of 3s, they become more patient, more realistic, and ultimately more successful with their puppy.

We believe the best dogs are developed through:

Trust

Consistency

Patience

Leadership

Relationship

And that philosophy is at the heart of everything we do at Doodle Prep School.