Training My French Bulldog Puppy, Half Moon
Training is an important part of raising a happy, confident, and well-mannered dog.
My French Bulldog puppy, Half Moon, is growing quickly and is almost a year old. She has learned a great deal from her mother, Luna Muna, but I also wanted her to benefit from working with a professional trainer. This week, Half Moon spent time with Sal Romano, proprietor of Delighted Pets in nearby Brewster, New York. His business offers boarding, daycare, canine enrichment, and positive reinforcement training. I'm looking forward to seeing what new skills my beautiful Half Moon will learn.
Here are some photos.
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- Sal Romano started Delighted Pets in 2015 in New York City. Its first offerings included daily walks around Manhattan. Now, his company offers full concierge service, boarding, small group excursions, and more. Here’s Sal with Half Moon shortly after arriving at his facility for her first day of “school.”
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- Delighted Pets has an indoor/outdoor structure and a two-acre well-secured, open space nearby, as well as services in Manhattan.
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- Every room is clean and climate-controlled. The main exercise room of Delighted Pets is decorated with a gallery of dog portraits. The floor is padded for safety and there is a variety of agility equipment for indoor enrichment and training.
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- An adjacent kennel room has individual crates for quiet time and naps. Owner notes and personal food, treats, and supplies are kept near each crate.
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- Larger pens are used for bigger dogs or family multiples.
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- There is also an appropriate stainless steel animal tub for bathing.
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- And this hydraulic grooming table can accommodate both small and big dogs for brushing or cuts – a professional groomer is on-site.
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- Before any training work can begin, Sal works on getting Half Moon comfortable with him and the new surroundings. Here, Half Moon is on the grooming table where Sal tests how agreeable she is being touched and checked by someone she doesn’t know.
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- Half Moon is very accustomed to being handled – she is groomed every day at the farm. This is easy for my little Half Moon.
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- Here, Half Moon is taken to an outdoor enclosure to let her explore and sniff.
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- Half Moon is curious but slightly timid. This is the first time she is away from her mom, Luna Muna.
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- Here she is starting to walk around the enclosure – slowly, she starts to like the environment.
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- A harness is fitted for Half Moon and Sal starts working indoors on her recall, a training skill where the dog is taught to come to the handler immediately after a specific verbal cue or signal is given.
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- Half Moon’s confidence is building and does this several times. While Half Moon comes when called at the farm, it’s good for her to practice this recall without the help of Luna and my other dogs. Half Moon listens for Sal’s cue, his tone of voice, and his body language to understand what she is being asked to do.
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- Here is Half Moon returning consistently to Sal. Dogs learn through operant conditioning — repeating behaviors that lead to rewards and encouragement, while avoiding those that don’t.
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- Half Moon gives a little “side eye” – she’s quite proud of herself.
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- Here, Half Moon is being asked to walk with Sal, by his side. She does this all on her own – Half Moon is gaining his trust. Training is a gradual, multi-step process that demands clear communication, repetition, positive reinforcement, and above all patience. What a good girl.
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- The Delighted Pets boutique includes all-natural, American made treats. These Delightful Bites come in several flavors and treat sizes. My dogs love them.
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- Other shelves include a curated collection of grooming accessories and supplies.
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- And this area has a collection of cold-weather vests and coats for big and small dogs.
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- Training is hard work for a dog. It’s not just about following commands, it’s about learning new communication, controlling impulses, and adapting to certain human expectations. It was a log day, but Half Moon is doing wonderfully!
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