A 6 week course aimed at giving you and your dog a run down on basic obedience- We will go over things like sit, down, stay, door manners, loose leash walking, polite greetings with humans and more! This course is aimed at dogs aged 8 months of age and older who are non-reactive/non-aggressive and their humans. Please be sure to bring yummy treats and a hungry dog!

Puppy Life Skills is a great way to start to train and bond with your puppy. Accepting dogs from 5 to 10 months old, this program is designed to move at your own pace to build your puppies confidence. We'll help cover the early stages of training, how to build a strong foundation of your relationship with your puppy, and start to learn things like Wait at Doors, Stay, etc. Once you have completed Puppy Life Skills you will be on your way and ready to enroll in Life Skills 1.

LifeSkills 1 is perfect for dog owners ready to tackle common behavior challenges like leash pulling, jumping, and overexcitement. This class is designed to introduce practical, real-world skills while laying the foundation for a stronger, more positive relationship with your dog.

What Will You Work On?

Through fun, science-based training techniques, LifeSkills 1 helps you and your dog develop essential skills, including:

• Reliable Recall: Teach your dog to respond to your call, even with distractions, using positive reinforcement to make coming to you rewarding.
• Loose Leash Walking: Train your dog to walk calmly beside you through games and rewards, turning walks into a stress-free activity.
• Focus: Strengthen your dog’s ability to pay attention to you, even in stimulating environments, using techniques that make you the most exciting thing in the room.
• Self-Control: Help your dog practice patience and thoughtful choices, such as sitting politely at doors or resisting the urge to jump, by reinforcing good behavior consistently.

Training Techniques

We exclusively use modern, positive reinforcement methods, rooted in behavioral science. These techniques:

• Motivate your dog through rewards they value, such as treats, toys, and praise.
• Encourage your dog to think and problem-solve, making training enjoyable and engaging.
• Foster trust and confidence, ensuring your dog learns in a supportive and safe environment.
• Avoid aversive tools or corrections, ensuring that learning is stress-free and based on positive experiences.

Why Is This Important?

Positive reinforcement creates long-term behavioral improvements by focusing on rewarding desired actions rather than punishing mistakes. This approach not only enhances your dog’s learning but also strengthens your bond, making training a fun and collaborative process.

Who Should Join?

• Owners of dogs who pull on the leash, jump on guests, or struggle to settle.
• First-time dog owners looking to build strong foundational skills.
• Families with rescue or adolescent dogs needing extra support with focus and manners.

LifeSkills 2 is for owners who want to take their dog’s training to the next level, helping them refine foundational skills and confidently handle more complex situations. This class builds on the foundation established in LifeSkills 1, introducing advanced exercises for greater reliability and focus.

What Will You Work On?

Using the same positive, science-backed methods as LifeSkills 1, this class focuses on advancing your dog’s ability to handle real-world distractions and challenges.

Key skills include:

• Advanced Recall: Improve your dog’s reliability when calling them back, even in high- distraction environments like parks or around other dogs.
• Polished Loose Leash Walking: Strengthen your dog’s ability to walk calmly by your side in busy or unpredictable settings, reinforcing calm behavior.
• Sustained Focus: Teach your dog to stay engaged with you for longer periods, even in demanding situations, using incremental rewards to build success.
• Enhanced Self-Control: Refine your dog’s patience and ability to manage impulses, such as waiting for permission before approaching distractions or staying calm when excited.

Training Techniques

LifeSkills 2 continues to rely on positive reinforcement for reliable results:

• Rewards like treats, toys, and praise keep learning fun and motivating for your dog.
• Games and real-world scenarios help your dog practice skills in a way that translates to everyday life.
• Training fosters emotional resilience, helping your dog stay calm and focused even in challenging environments.
• Aversive methods are never used, ensuring a safe, trust-building experience for you and your dog.

Why Is This Important?

Advancing your dog’s training builds their ability to handle increasingly complex environments with composure and confidence. Positive reinforcement strengthens their willingness to engage with you, creating a dog who is not only well-mannered but also a joyful and cooperative companion.

Who Should Join?

• Graduates of LifeSkills 1 or dogs with prior foundational training.
• Owners of dogs who need to improve reliability and focus in high-distraction environments.
• Dogs ready to develop advanced manners and greater emotional balance.