What Do the Dogs Learn in a Private Lesson?
Puppy Lesson –9 weeks to 4 months
In this very important lesson, we will establish the appropriate fundamental and foundational "building blocks" that will prove to be beneficial throughout your dog’s life. As his leader, all future lessons will prove to be easier and much more successful because you and your puppy have a common and proper understanding.
These include: patience, respect, trust, and an attitude of compliance. Then, with adequate time, positive experiences, a good education, maturity and nurturing, your puppy will grow up to be your perfect dog.
If your puppy was raised by a confident, nurturing mother he would have learned clear limits, had few decisions to make or opportunities to fail. Suddenly your puppy found himself living in your home and now there are all sorts of new, exciting temptations, distractions, experiences, challenges and rules.
In this lesson, we will help you understand how your puppy thinks, how he asks questions, how to correct (fairly and appropriately) and why your puppy does what he does. You will also learn how to condition, care for and work with a bright, innocent “blank slate” that is ready and excited to learn about life in this pack he/she is now living in.
Besides this, there is potty training, co-existing with kids, walking on the lead, patience, no stealing, chewing, biting, running away, chasing cats, other dogs, visitors, bicycles and whatever else you are having issues with or questions about.
Remember, these expectations and rules are all new to your puppy so if you expect him to learn to live by them, the only way the puppy can possibly understand what to do is if you teach him.
Sadly unless you or someone else is able to clearly communicate and educate the puppy in a way that makes sense to him, there is little hope for consistent, dependable and/or lasting success.
If there is a clear communication, trust and honest information you will avoid many of the normal, but very avoidable puppy problems. In one private lesson your puppy will learn about the character of his leader, the pack he is a member of, and he will be prepared to begin contributing to the success of his new pack.
If your expectations and training goals for your puppy are minimal, this lesson may be all the training you will ever need to do. If you maintain the concepts taught, your puppy will grow up to be an appropriate companion; you and your dog will have a harmonious relationship.
On the other hand, if your goals and expectations are set a bit higher, a second private lesson is possible but normally not necessary if you have attend the drop-in classes on a regular basis.
Private Lesson – 4 months and older
We approach this just as we would a human child who had not learned his/her lessons at the age they should have. This is the canine version earning his GED. As a young child, 12 – 15 years is a reasonable time to attend classes. However, if whatever went wrong and an adult wants to earn a diploma, that is a very different process and the GED program is an escalated education process.
And so it is with the dogs that attend one of our private lessons. We always begin with a temperament assessment and then move on to training. This includes:
- Walk on a loose lead
- Come when called
- Behave around other dogs
- Respect for personal space
- Calmness and patience for handling
- Treat your kids respectfully
- All food is MINE
- Back off when told to
- As well as to deal with your unique issues, problems, and questions
Newly Acquired Dog or Fostering a Rescue Dog
We always begin with the temperament assessment but when dealing with rescue dogs it becomes more about dumping any baggage, lack of training, desensitizing triggers/impulses, overcoming fears and dealing with out of control intensity or aggression.
These days, there are many great owners BUT because of the lack of time, interest or ability, too many are not good teachers. So with your needs, expectations and rules in mind, that is exactly what we focus on in a private lesson. We do the teaching, communicate your expectations and You simply reinforce what we have taught. Once the dog understands what is expected of him it is easy to practice and use the information in your everyday life with your dog.
