PERFECT PUPPY 101
[PP_101]
Your puppy’s first months are crucial for shaping good behaviours that will last a lifetime. In this introductory course, we will lay a foundation for your puppy’s life skills alongside building your basic skills as a handler. We will teach you the difference between visual and verbal cues and how to build a strong relationship with your young pup based on excellent leadership. We will introduce you to indispensable tools you’d need when your pup reaches the land-shark phase and give them an outlet by enriching their lives with the wonderful world of Canine Enrichment. While socialization is crucial at this stage, we will bust some common myths regarding socialization and desensitization to shape your pup into a fearless, confident, loving and of course, obedient lifelong companion!
Age
10 weeks - 1.5 years
Duration
4 weeks (weekly 90-min session + 30 min call)
Prerequisite
N/A
Location
Your home or neighbourhood.
Vaccination
Not required.
Price
$699 + taxes
What you’ll learn
Canine Skills
-
Clicker training is a Positive Reinforcement method that uses a click sound to mark a dog's correct behavior. The click signals that a reward, like a treat, is coming, helping dogs quickly learn and repeat the desired action. It’s a humane and effective way to teach commands or modify behavior.
-
Dog focus cues are commands used to capture and maintain a dog's attention, like "watch me" or their name. These cues help the dog stay focused on the trainer, improving responsiveness in training and distracting environments. They make guiding and controlling the dog easier.
-
"Touch" training teaches a dog to touch a target, often the handler's hand, with their nose. When they do, they’re rewarded with Positive Reinforcement. It's useful for guiding a dog’s movement, improving focus, and building confidence.
-
Recall training teaches a dog to come when called, even in distracting situations. Using positive reinforcement, like treats or praise, the dog learns to associate the recall command (e.g., "come") with rewards. Consistent training helps improve the dog's responsiveness and ensures safety in various environments.
-
Crate training involves teaching a dog to view their crate as a safe, comfortable space. It helps with house training, reducing anxiety, and managing behavior. By gradually introducing the crate and using positive reinforcement, the dog learns to settle calmly inside, aiding in routines like bedtime or travel.
-
Potty training teaches a dog where and when it's appropriate to relieve themselves. It involves establishing a routine, guiding the dog to designated spots, and using positive reinforcement when they go in the right place. Consistency and patience are key to helping the dog learn this behavior and avoid accidents indoors.
-
Bite inhibition is a dog’s ability to control the force of their bite, learned through socialization with other dogs and humans. Puppies develop this skill by receiving feedback during play—if they bite too hard, play stops or they are corrected. Teaching bite inhibition helps prevent accidental harm and encourages gentle mouthing behavior.
Handler Skills
-
Marker training for dogs is a training method that uses a specific sound or word (the "marker") to signal to the dog that they performed a desired behavior. This is often paired with positive reinforcement, like treats or praise. The marker, such as a clicker sound or the word "yes," helps the dog clearly understand which action earned the reward, making training more effective and clear.
-
Verbal cues in dog training are spoken commands, such as "sit" or "stay," that tell the dog what behavior is expected. Visual cues are hand signals or body language that guide the dog to perform a behavior, like raising a hand for "sit." Dogs can learn to respond to both types of cues, and trainers often use them together to reinforce learning and improve communication with the dog.
-
Hand feeding in dog training is a technique where the trainer feeds the dog directly from their hand, rather than from a bowl. This method helps build trust and strengthen the bond between the dog and trainer. It can also improve focus, impulse control, and reinforce positive behaviors, as the dog learns that following cues and staying calm leads to receiving food rewards.
-
In dog training, a target is an object or designated spot that a dog is trained to touch with its nose or paw. This can be a hand, a stick, or a specific item like a disc. Targeting helps guide a dog’s movements and can be used to teach more complex behaviors, such as going to a specific place, agility training, or positioning for obedience commands. It encourages focus and precision during training.
-
Boundaries in dog training refer to physical or behavioral limits set for a dog, teaching them where they are allowed to go or what behaviors are acceptable. These can be areas in the home, like staying off furniture or not crossing doorways, or rules like waiting before eating or not pulling on a leash. Boundaries help dogs understand their environment, build self-control, and promote safety and structure in their daily lives.
-
Desensitization in dog training is a technique used to gradually reduce a dog’s fear or anxiety toward a specific trigger, such as loud noises, unfamiliar people, or other dogs. The process involves exposing the dog to the trigger at a low, non-threatening level and slowly increasing the intensity or proximity over time. This helps the dog become more comfortable with the trigger and less reactive, fostering a calm response in previously stressful situations.
-
Canine enrichment refers to activities and experiences that stimulate a dog’s mind and body, helping to satisfy their natural instincts and prevent boredom. This can include puzzle toys, scent work, interactive play, or exploring new environments. Enrichment promotes mental and physical well-being, reduces stress, and can help prevent behavioral issues by keeping the dog engaged and fulfilled.
Please note: Canine Skills are subject to change based on obedience, skill and training commitment level. Some skills require a certain level of obedience before we are able to progress to more advanced levels.
Your pup’s already mastered a certain skill? No problem! We are happy to accommodate and incorporate other dynamic Canine Skills. Please contact us for more information.
FAQs
-
Clicker training for dogs is a form of positive reinforcement training that uses a small device called a clicker to mark desired behaviors. When the dog performs the correct action, the trainer clicks the device, immediately followed by a reward like a treat. The click sound acts as a clear and consistent signal to the dog, helping them understand exactly which behavior is being reinforced. Over time, the dog learns to associate the click with positive outcomes, making training more efficient and precise.
-
Positive reinforcement training for dogs is a method that encourages desired behaviors by rewarding the dog when they perform correctly. Rewards can include treats, praise, toys, or playtime. The idea is that the dog will associate good behavior with positive outcomes, making them more likely to repeat those actions in the future. This approach focuses on reinforcing good behaviors rather than punishing unwanted ones, creating a positive learning environment for the dog.
-
Age-appropriate training for dogs refers to tailoring training methods and expectations based on a dog’s developmental stage. Puppies, for example, require short, simple sessions focused on basic commands, socialization, and house training. Adolescent dogs may need more focus on impulse control and reinforcing previously learned behaviors, while adult dogs can handle more advanced training and complex tasks. Training should align with the dog’s physical and mental maturity to ensure they learn effectively and stay engaged.
-
The most common behavioral problems in dog training include excessive barking, leash pulling, jumping up on people, lack of recall, destructive chewing, house training issues, separation anxiety, and resource guarding. These issues often stem from a lack of proper training, socialization, or understanding of canine behavior. Addressing these problems typically requires consistent training methods, patience, and sometimes professional guidance from a certified dog trainer or behaviorist. By tackling these issues early and consistently, dog owners can help their pets become well-behaved, happy companions.
-
Starting dog training at home is highly beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a comfortable and familiar environment for your dog, reducing stress and allowing them to focus better on learning. Home training also enables you to address specific behavioral issues in the context where they occur, making the training more relevant and effective. Additionally, it allows for consistent, short training sessions throughout the day, which are often more productive than longer, less frequent sessions. Training at home strengthens the bond between you and your dog, as you become the primary source of guidance and rewards. Lastly, it's cost-effective and convenient, allowing you to fit training into your daily routine without the need for travel or scheduling conflicts.
Ready for the Perfect Puppy?
Sign up or login to your account and we’ll get you sorted!
Done with Puppy 101?
Check out our other courses down below!
Got Questions?
Our team would be happy to help! Don’t be shy, we’ll gladly address your questions and concerns about any of our programs. At KRU, we believe that each canine is an individual that’s just as unique as you are - and our private training is designed to reflect that.