Week 1 – theory

The first session is a 1.5 hour theory workshop WITHOUT your puppy. Discussion includes:

[ezcol_1half]

• How do dogs learn (reinforcement)?
• What skills are important now and what can wait?
• What is appropriate socialisation?
• Basic equipment: harnesses verses collar

[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]

• Food & nutrition
• Problem prevention
• Communication & bite prevention
• Questions and answers[/ezcol_1half_end]

Week 2

[ezcol_1third]Basic obedience

• sit on cue
• relaxing when on lead

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Management skills

• boredom busters
• introducing a crate & home management
• travelling by car

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Life skills

• toileting on cue
• avoid food grabbing – offering treats correctly
• responding to name & recall[/ezcol_1third_end]

Week 3

[ezcol_1third]Basic obedience

• down on cue
• nose touch to hand (for follow and stand)

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Problem prevention

• avoiding food & toy guarding
• home alone – and happy

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Loose lead walking

• why dogs pull
• strategies and equipment to avoid pulling
• moving out of danger quickly[/ezcol_1third_end]

Week 4

[ezcol_1third]Basic obedience

• down stay

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Meeting & greeting

• managing your puppy around people
• managing your puppy around dogs
• meeting a well-socialised adult dog

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Play

• self-control & self control
• playing tug – the rules
• nose work games[/ezcol_1third_end]

Week 5

[ezcol_1third]Introduction to clicker training

• why we use a clicker for training
• the power of positive reinforcement

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Husbandry

• basic grooming
• handling and day-to-day care
• importance of nail care and how to clip nails

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end][/ezcol_1third_end]

Week 6

• The great outdoors (weather permitting)
  • social walk with other puppies
  • off-lead recall practice in the ‘real’ world

Week 7

[ezcol_1third] Clicker tricks

• give a paw
• touch a target stick

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]The future

• the teenage years
• effect of hormones on behaviour
• spaying and neutering

[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Coping strategies for everyday life

• introducing novel objects
• movement and balance over a variety of equipment[/ezcol_1third_end]

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