PUPPY PROGRESS 1
This is our follow-on course which is specifically designed for puppies that have completed our initial Puppy Foundation course, building on the skills you have already developed and beginning to apply them to more serious, real-life situations.
Around 4-5months of age, your puppy will start to go through puberty the same as people. Much like a teenager, their hormones begin to alter their behaviour. They will act defiantly, push the boundaries, ignore basic commands, and decide to ignore their recall. This behaviour is extremely common at this age, and this is why many owners continue with us onto this course after Puppy Foundation so they can continue to engage in effective reward-based training and have the support of our trainers to help them and their pups through this tough stage of the puppy’s development.
During this course, we will:
- Continue to focus on leadwork, getting your dog to walk nicely on the lead whilst ignoring other dogs in class whilst we start to work in closer proximity to each other, whilst adding in directional control.
- Teach a wait command and begin to implement a wait at the beginning of recalls.
- Extend your stay command whilst adding in a variety of visual and/or audible distractions.
- Continue to work on leave it’s.
Whilst we encourage attendance at classes from a social perspective and to continue pups working around other dogs, we understand that some of the behavioural developments and challenges you may face as pup hit’s puberty can seem impossible and can be distressing to see your pup become overwhelmed in class. We do offer Junior Behaviour Consultations with one of our behaviourists who can help support you with these issues on a 1:1 level.
PUPPY PROGRESS 2
This is our hugely popular follow-on course which is specifically designed for puppies that have completed our initial Puppy Foundation course and Puppy Progress 1, building on the skills you have already developed and adding many more visual and audible distractions with aim of beginning to work your dog’s off lead.
With your dog at roughly eight months of age, they will be heading firmly into their adolescent stages – what we like to call their ‘terrible two’s’. You effectively have a teenager in the house which can bring about some real frustration, but the reward you get from putting their impulse control to the ultimate test is massive.
During this course, we will:
- Use long lines to work on recalls.
- Continue with loose lead work with added distractions that you may find on your walks, therefore combining an effective “LEAVE IT” command to your daily walks.
- Introduce the beginning of off lead walking in a safe environment to build your confidence in your dog’s abilities.
- Look at behaviour modification techniques such as counter conditioning.
Whilst we encourage attendance at classes from a social perspective and to continue pups working around other dogs, we understand that some of the behavioural developments and challenges you may face as pup hit’s puberty can seem impossible and can be distressing to see your pup become overwhelmed in class. We do offer Junior Behaviour Consultations with one of our behaviourists who can help support you with these issues on a 1:1 level.
