Advanced Life Skills Series

Next up on the Schedule!
May 9: Next-Level Leave It! full
May 10: Walks and Distractions

Read this webpage carefully and book your spot through the buttons below!

The Advanced Life Skills Series is comprised of five programs that build advanced skills on what you learned in the Foundation Life Skills program.

Each of these intensives will focus on a specific topic introduced in Foundation Life Skills, and can be taken in any order. Check out the info below for details and registration!

Do you see a class you want that’s not on the schedule? Join the newsletter to find out the next time it runs, and email the office to express interest – classes may run on demand!

The Master Prerequisite List (Read me!)

Each Program below requires the following, in addition to specifics listed for each class:

  • Foundation Life Skills, or equivalent at a positive reinforcement training facility (please contact the office)
  • One consistent handler should attend all classes (do not switch handlers mid-class), family members are welcome to attend with you
  • Dogs must be comfortable and food-motivated training in a group class environment
  • Proof of dog vaccination including Distemper, Parvovirus and Rabies is required
  • Do not attend class if you are ill. See below.

Regarding absences, illness and lockdowns:

  • If a STUDENT is ill/absent: Email the office in advance and a ZOOM call will be set up for you to watch live or recorded.
  • If the INSTRUCTOR is ill/in case of lockdown: The program will be put on hold until it is safe/legal to reopen, and will resume on the same schedule. No alternatives are available for this contingency plan, please be ready to adjust your schedule if need be.

Walks and Distractions

The Walks and Distractions Program will focus on developing next steps on your leash walking skills, with a big emphasis on tackling social distractions like dogs and people.

Want to focus on not jumping up while greeting people? Check out Stop the Jumping!

Qualifications and Prerequisites for Walks and Distractions
  • All points in the Master Prerequisite list above are required
  • Dogs must wear a front attaching no-pull harness

This program does not address reactivity or aggression. If your dog barks/lunges intensely, has fought/bitten a dog or person, and/or is unable to eat treats in the presence of a dog/person, private training will be a better fit for you.

Schedule for Walks and Distractions

$295 +HST
Four students in class
5 consecutive weeks (50min)

Starting on: Wednesday May 10th, 5:45pm

Join the Newsletter if there’s no start date listed

Next Level Leave-It

If your dog scans the ground, ready to grab the next leaf, stick, garbage or… poop (eew!) … this program is for you!

Next Level Leave-It focuses explicitly on dogs that have trouble controlling the impulse to grab food or items off the ground when on walks.

Looking for dog distractions? See Walks and Distractions!

Qualifications and Prerequisites for Next Level Leave-it
  • All points in the Master Prerequisite list above are required
  • Dogs must wear a front attaching no-pull harness

This program does not address resource guarding (food/toy aggression). If your dog is showing threat or guarding behaviours, private training will be a better fit for you.

Schedule for Next Level Leave-It

$295 +HST
Four students in class
5 consecutive weeks (50min)

Starting on: Tuesday May 9th 7:45pm FULL

Join the Newsletter if there’s no start date listed

Stop the Jumping!

Does your dog pummel your guests at the door? This program is made just for you! We’ll be looking at various strategies to calm the excitement and calm the jumping.

Qualifications and Prerequisites for Stop the Jumping!
  • All points in the Master Prerequisite list above are required
  • The same TWO adults (15yo+) must be present for each class – without exception. Both people will be trainers. Children cannot participate due to safety concerns interacting with other people’s dogs.
  • COVID-risk consideration: Students will be standing close together, and masks are not required. Take this into consideration upon booking.
  • Dogs must wear a front attaching no-pull harness

This program is explicitly for dogs who LOVE people. If your dog is not loose and wiggly upon greeting a stranger, please contact the office for direction.

Schedule for Stop the Jumping!

$295 +HST
Four students in class
5 consecutive weeks (50min)

Starting on: Wed March 15th 5:45pm
Four students in class
5 consecutive weeks (50min)

Join the Newsletter if there’s no start date listed

Superb Stays

This program is all about cultivating a fabulous STAY! We’ll be focusing on several strategies to teach the next levels in settle and stay, as well as go to mat.

This class is perfect for keeping your dog out from underfoot when cooking, away from the dinner table, or waiting her turn for training in a multi-dog household (and whatever else you can think of!).

Want to focus on being calm in the face of social distractions? The Walks and Distractions Program is for you!

Qualifications and Prerequisites for Superb Stays
  • All points in the Master Prerequisite list above are required
Schedule for Superb Stays

$295 +HST
Four students in class
5 consecutive weeks (50min)

Starting on:

Join the Newsletter if there’s no start date listed

Come Quick

Every time you call your dog and they come, they are putting effort into LEAVING the very things they find interesting. Come when called sounds so simple, but it’s one of the most difficult things to teach reliably!

Qualifications and Prerequisites for Come Quick
  • All points in the Master Prerequisite list above are required
  • The same TWO adults (15yo+) must be present for each class – without exception. Children cannot participate due to safety concerns interacting with other peoples dogs.
  • Dogs must be wearing a harness with a leash attachment point on the BACK
  • Dogs must be explicitly friendly with dogs/people and show no reactivity or social sensitivity
  • Handlers will be running in this class

Due to many off leash components, this program cannot accommodate reactivity to dogs/people. Private training will be the best option if this describes your dog.

Schedule for Come Quick

$ 295+HST
Four students in class
5 consecutive weeks (50min)

Starting on:

Join the Newsletter if there’s no start date listed