The Well Mannered Dog Level 1

The Well Mannered Dog Level I – 6 week course

A continuation of Puppy Kindergarten (although Puppy Kindergarten is not a prerequisite) and working up to training all the skills your dog needs to become a well-adjusted, welcome addition in any setting including:

• handler focus (building your relationship with your dog)
  
• boundaries
  
• reliable recalls (come when called)
• loose leash walking
• meeting and greeting with manners
  
• cues at a distance
• training through distractions
• understanding and helping the reactive or fearful dog

This is a foundation-building course with the emphasis on dog communication and learning how dogs learn.  Many people take this session more than once because there is a lot of information packed into this 6 weeks.  

Your training skills and your dog’s ability to succeed increase with each session.  A mix of beginners and more advanced dogs in each class reminds those that are on their 2nd or 3rd session how far they have come and give those that are just beginning the motivation to remember to play the training games they learned in class.  

This 6-week course session is for dogs aged 5 months and up. All dogs must be fully vaccinated and free of parasites. Titer tests are also accepted.

Equipment will be discussed, but please be aware that prong/choke/shock/spray collars are NOT permitted in the class. You will learn it is the relationship (not the equipment) that creates training successes.

DO bring your dog’s favourite motivators:  food, toys, your happy voice, etc.  You will learn how to “pay” for good behaviour, not “punish” for dogs just being untrained dogs!  Learn the difference between a lure/bribe/reward. Learn the difference between punishment and consequence and most importantly:  learn that learning with your dog is a rewarding experience!!