Week 1 – theory
The first session is a 1.5 hour theory workshop WITHOUT your puppy. Discussion includes:
- How do dogs learn (reinforcement)?
- What skills are important now and what can wait?
- What is appropriate socialisation?
- Basic equipment: harnesses verses collar
- Food & nutrition
- Problem prevention
- Communication & bite prevention
- Questions and answers
Week 2
Basic obedience
- sit on cue
- relaxing when on lead
Management skills
- boredom busters
- introducing a crate & home management
- travelling by car
Life skills
- toileting on cue
- avoid food grabbing – offering treats correctly
- responding to name & recall
Week 3
Basic obedience
- down on cue
- nose touch to hand (for follow and stand)
Problem prevention
- avoiding food & toy guarding
- home alone – and happy
Loose lead walking
- why dogs pull
- strategies and equipment to avoid pulling
- moving out of danger quickly
Week 4
Basic obedience
- down stay
Meeting & greeting
- managing your puppy around people
- managing your puppy around dogs
- meeting a well-socialised adult dog
Play
- self-control & self control
- playing tug – the rules
- nose work games
Week 5
Introduction to clicker training
- why we use a clicker for training
- the power of positive reinforcement
Husbandry
- basic grooming
- handling and day-to-day care
- importance of nail care and how to clip nails
Week 6
- The great outdoors (weather permitting)
- social walk with other puppies
- off-lead recall practice in the ‘real’ world
Week 7
Clicker tricks
- give a paw
- touch a target stick
The future
- the teenage years
- effect of hormones on behaviour
- spaying and neutering
Coping strategies for everyday life
- introducing novel objects
- movement and balance over a variety of equipment
Week 8 (Sunday morning)
- Social walk in Sidmouth & coffee
- opportunity to practice the skills you have previously learned in a busy environment
- practising socialisation skills
- assessing puppies’ reactions by highlighting strengths and areas for training & development