To help you get a clear picture of what it takes to train a dog, we’ve sketched out this Road Map of our basic approach. Every dog’s training journey is unique in its particulars, of course — but this outline provides the broad themes and goals of FOUNDATION training for every dog.
FOUNDATIONS Puppy | Character Development
8 weeks to 16 weeks (4 to 6 lessons)
Teach games that are fun and contribute to desired learning outcomes like eye contact, self-control, and dynamic partnership with a person.
Establish relationship and expectations.
Set up and maintain positive environment to facilitate house-training and develop a versatile, emotionally stable companion with no learned bad habits.
Teach appropriate puppy commands like:
Hold Still: for examination, grooming, and handling
Leave It: drop something or don’t touch something
Let’s Go: how to be successful on a leash
Wait: at doors, for toys, for food
Off-Leash Recall
(3-4 sessions)
The Come command can be added to any puppy program. Our unique approach to teaching the recall gives your dog an improved margin of safety when off-leash.
This command is begun in puppyhood and completed during Adult Obedience.
FOUNDATIONS Adult | Practical, reliable obedience
6 months and older (10-15 lessons)
Phase I
Teach the meaning of each command.
commands are based on your individual evaluation and custom Training Plan
Develop games.
Foster a connected, loving relationship.
Phase II
Overcome equivocation to commands.
establish a fast, reliable response with good attitude
Establish off-leash reliability.
Phase III
Play Train
integrate games with training
Proof to distractions
achieve reliability in varied environments
Our Foundations Program for Puppies and Adults is a complete solution to developing a rewarding relationship with your companion dog. If you are interested in a sport or working dog, the Foundations program is the essential starting place for a future career in therapy, assistance, protection, hunt, agility, and more. In other words, every dog needs the essential lessons and character development these programs provide.
How can we earn your dog’s enthusiasm? His devotion? His trust?
We establish the right training path for your dog based on the answers to these questions.
In dog training, people and dogs each have work to do. We ask our dogs to become open to our requests — their job is to listen actively and respond eagerly.
Our job is to become clear and comfortable in that role of asking and requiring a positive response —
to know what to ask, when to ask it, and how to keep our dogs motivated for success.
Training is a path. We know the way to the finish line.
1.
We start with an in-depth evaluation.
Every training program begins with an exploration of how your dog learns and how he or she feels about learning. This essential insight into how your dog thinks and feels orients us and points the way forward for training your particular dog.
2.
Next, we develop a training plan.
We ask: What are your goals for training? What will it take to get there? What program is right for you and your dog?
3.
Now, we produce positive results.
With clear direction, detailed steps, and dynamic guidance, you and your dog will move through training with support and clarity. You may meet with us for private lessons, or learn handling skills for when your dog returns from a Board&Train in our home. Your program will be designed just for you, and your dog’s training will address his particular needs and goals.
Is your dog younger than 6 months? Puppy development is fundamentally different from adult obedience.
For Disability Assistance and Personal Protection inquiries, please contact us to discuss your needs.
