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