Puppies develop rapidly and it is important to create safe and positive experiences for your puppy during their critical developmental windows. Our skilled instructors will provide practical and effective techniques for integrating your puppy smoothly into your home and the community. Off-leash play will reinforce strong social skills with other dogs so that you can fully enjoy seeing your puppy develop and thrive in its environment. We introduce our famous ‘Gentle’ cue to interrupt normal puppy biting behaviour. You will learn effective ways to communicate with your puppy so that they can learn the necessary skills for a long and happy life. The strong foundational skills will be crucial for the adolescent to come.

Your puppy’s natural desire to expand its social circle and explore begins to close when they reach puberty at 17 weeks of age. You will develop practical skills to prepare you for the rapid onset of adolescence and the subsequent developmental phases that strongly affect your dog’s behaviour. We continue to strengthen good social behaviour throughout this transition from Puppy to Adolescent. Good leash manners, respect for personal space and Recall from play are emphasized.

Each programme consists of 5 weeks in class with your dog, as well as access to relevant videos developed by the Call of the Canine staff. As the classes progress we invite you to address your questions to your instructors as they arise..

The programme will provide a reliable response to basic obedience cues and life skills that enable appropriate social interaction with humans and other dogs.

• Foundation exercises to improve focus for better learning include voluntary ‘check in’ , targeting and body awareness
• Body Position Cues: Sit, Down and Stand
• Reliable Recall
• Enjoyable Leash Walking

The skills mastered in Life Skills 1 provide the foundation for appropriate meeting and greeting behaviours with other dogs and people. Cues for new Body Positions and a quick response to move away from an object or place will be taught. Your dog will strengthen its ability to keep attention and focus in a more difficult or active environment. Effective and humane techniques will continue to enhance your relationship with your dog.