The Life Skills Series is your go-to for manners and obedience!
The Foundation Life Skills Program, in-person or virtual, will get you started right with your puppy or new adoption of any age. (Or maybe your old dog want to learn new tricks!)
From there, work through the Advanced Life Skills Programs for an intensive focus on advanced skill-building for distractions, come when called, stay, leave it and more!
Foundation Life Skills Program (In-Person)
In-Person Life Skills is great for those living in or near Guelph who enjoy the accountability that comes with a in-person interaction, and whose schedule allows for weekly classes in this six-class program.
The Advanced Life Skills Series is made up of multiple programs that you can attend in any order for a deep-dive into advanced application and skill-building of concepts introduced in the Life Skills Foundation program.
Virtual Life Skills is perfect for pandemic safety, for those living outside of Guelph, and owners with hectic or unpredictable schedules! Get started on-demand and receive personal feedback on your training for the duration of the 8-week program.
THIS is what you get to bring home from a Puppy Party!
A Puppy Party: Socialization & Play Drop-off is the ideal way to socialize your puppy while social distancing!
Drop your pup off at our door, and we’ll take your puppy for a session of play, fun, socialization, confidence building and more. At the end of the Puppy Party, come back to our door for a minimum-contact pick up of your zonked out puppy.
Book your Play Group below! – For SHY or SMALL puppies: Book the EARLY group – For BOLD or LARGE puppies: Book the LATER group – Your puppy may need to be moved between groups depending on the other puppies present in each
Email the required Health Documentation (vaccination AND deworming) to the office immediately
Check your email for instructions.
Book Your Puppy Party!
If a party is full, check back later – New parties may be added to accommodate high enrolment.
If your puppy exhibits any sign of illness in advance of a party (for example, lethargy, gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms), please do not attend and contact the office immediately.
Dog training in the age of Social Distancing… it CAN be done!
The COVID-19 pandemic has created lots of barriers in our lives, but luckily we can achieve the same great training results with the wonders of modern technology!
Virtual Life Skills is an all-ages manners and obedience program, appropriate for puppies and adult dogs alike – with the BONUS All Things Puppy Classroom for puppies under 6mo!
Who says learning can’t happen on the couch?
We will cover topics including:
Come when called
Settle and stay on a mat
Polite leash walking
Dealing with distractions
Polite greetings with people
Prevent running out the front door
Impulse control around food
Preventing “Counter surfing”
And more!
How Does Virtual Life Skills Training Work?
Using a virtual classroom called Google Classrooms, you will be guided through training exercises with video demonstrations, verbal descriptions and written instructions. You will also receive entirely personalized feedback on your training from your instructor! This is NOT just a video tutorial.
Each exercise is broken down into easy-to-follow steps, and you will receive personalized support and guidance as you train your dog.
Train at your own pace and on your own schedule
Join class any time
Eight weeks access to dynamic content and personal guidance and training support
Access to the handy reference manual after your program is completed which includes written and video instructions for all training exercises
Technology requirements are:
A basic understanding of computer/internet use, including recording a video
Internet capacity that allows for watching and uploading videos
Puppy students receive free access to the All Things Puppy Classroom for information on socialization and problem prevention that is specific to puppies – including guidance on nipping, house training, crate training and more!
Try out Google Classroom before you register!
You are encouraged to access the test classroom and familiarize yourself with how the platform works before registering. Simply:
Sign in to Google or click here if you don’t have an account
Orientation Webinar to watch before getting started
Six weekly group classes
Classroom Visuals for clear instruction during class time
Life Skills Online Resource Classroom including written instructions, videos of training exercises and bonus training exercises
Access to the All Things Puppy Classroom for quick answers on common puppy issues, such as house training, nipping, crate training and more (Also check out the Socialization Skills Puppy Class!)
Flexible Start Date
You can start class any time space is available!
Submit the registration form below and specify your preferred class day. We’ll confirm the next available start date.
Once your start date is selected, submit payment within 24hrs to confirm your spot
Your program will run for six consecutive weeks from the confirmed start date (save for clearly stated holidays/cancellations). Students can keep up in the online resource classroom if absent from class.
Your new dog/puppy must be living with you for at least 7 days prior to your first class.
Documentation of dog vaccination administered by a veterinarian (Parvo/Distemper, Rabies if age appropriate) is required for ALL dogs.
Should your instructor become ill class may be put on hold until recovery is confirmed. Please leave additional availability after your program to accommodate possibility of this safety procedure.
Sundays at 3pm with Kathleen Tuesday at 6:45pm with Emily
Your start date will be confirmed upon submission of the registration form.
Weather notice: Classes will only be cancelled in truly extreme weather. Please be prepared for our Ontario winters and leave time to arrive to class safely!
Register for Life Skills!
After reading through this webpage, group FAQ and Policy, complete the form by clicking the button below and you’ll receive confirmation of your start date shortly! If you have questions, contact the office before completing the form.
Payment must be received within 24hrs in order to confirm the time slot offered to you, and vaccination documents must be received prior to your first class
Check your spam folder if you do not see a timely reply. If you do not see an immediate auto-confirmation of this form in your email, complete the form on a different device. (That means we didn’t get it either!)
Agility is a fantastic activity to build your dog’s confidence, teach her to look to you for direction, and simply have fun. And this program does just that!
Agility (And Then Some!) is geared towards owners having fun with their dogs. The equipment is modified to meet each dog’s skill level, confidence and physical ability, including younger and older dogs. There’s no need for you or your dog to be a top athlete to join class!
In addition to the usual agility obstacles, this program also includes additional exercises and creative obstacles added to each level to make this class much more than a typical agility class!
Requirements and Prerequisites:
Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccines
Completion of Life Skills Foundations OR an equivalent from another school if owners/dogs have a solid understanding of positive/clicker training and prerequisite behaviours. (note: see important prerequisite behaviours, below)
Owners who have not trained at Scratch and Sniff Canine Services previously will be required to view the Orientation Webinar session prior to class, and possibly attend a free assessment
Prerequisite training skills (taught with positive reinforcement/clicker):
– Hand target (touch)
– Basic skills in recall, sit, leash walking, leave it/’doggy zen’
– Must be able to work off-leash behind barriers and pass other dogs on-leash in a controlled manner – obstacles are completed off leash.
Giant breeds will find some obstacles physically difficult – if you have a giant breed, please contact the office to ensure this class is a good choice for your dog
Refunds and credit are not available for Specialty Classes.
If you need to miss a class, give advanced notice to the office and you can watch the class via ZOOM from home or on recording.
“Socialization: That just means having friends over and going to the dog park, right…?”
Think again!
You’ve probably heard about socialization, but do you really know what that means? Often, “common knowledge” approaches to socialization can do more damage than they do good. Proper socialization is like a ‘behavioural vaccine’ that can protect your puppy from developing a multitude of behaviour problems as an adult.
Did you know that this “window of socialization” closes at a very young age?
Do you know what are you doing now that might be putting your puppy at risk as an adult?
Are you missing critical pieces of the socialization puzzle?
Come learn about Socialization, what it is, what you need to do, and what you need to avoid.
All too often, “training the dog” is about dealing with the habits we don’t like. Isn’t it time to train for fun, for enrichment, and for relationship?
The Brain Training Series focuses on increasing your dog’s receptivity to you and capacity to learn in order to work through various stages of difficulty and complexity of FUN tricks and behaviours.
How it Works
The Series has five programs you can choose from, outlined below. In each program, we will introduce a Base Behaviour that we will then turn into a wide variety of tricks. Each program will also include an optional assortment of other tricks to add variety to the central theme.
These programs can be taken in any order, and you can also attend one program multiple times to learn additional new tricks! Check the bottom of this page to see which program is on the schedule next!
You will need to acquire your own props for some of these tricks, some props will be available to borrow for use during in-person classes. Prop requirement will be reviewed in class.
“Boot-Scootin’ Back-up Challenge” Base Behaviour: Back up to step on an object Example of tricks: long distance reverse, karate kick, backward circle around you, weave through your legs backward, half-hand stand, and more…
“Snoot-Boop Challenge” Base Behaviour: Nose touch to object Example of tricks: close a cupboard, target stick, ring a bell, bowling, unroll a carpet, volley ball, put on your harness, and more…
“Snoot-Push Challenge” Base Behaviour: Nose push (freeze in position) Example of tricks: blowing bubbles in water, kiss like a seal, puppy dog eyes, finger-moustache, show your front teeth, “The Snoot Challenge”, and more…
“Hold My Beer Challenge” Base Behaviour: Hold an object Example of tricks: hold a sign, hold a flag, put your toys away, dunk a basket ball, throw out the garbage, get me a tissue, open the door/close the crate, and more…
“Stompin’ Paws Challenge” Base Behaviour: Stand on object with front feet Example of tricks: Feet up on a stool/chair, balance on a ball, press a button/door bell, file your own nails, skateboard, step up on your feet and walk with you, and more…
Additional Tricks Each class will include an assortment of tricks in addition to the theme of the Base Behaviour. This includes ticks such as: stop punching yourself (dog paws at her face), stand under you, crawl, sit pretty, circle around you, yoga stretch, leg weave (stationary and walking), spin, twist, play dead, and more…
Pre-Requisites
Dogs must be up-to-date on all vaccines as recommended by your veterinarian (in-person only)
Completion of a foundation program at Scratch and Sniff Canine Services OR an equivalent from another school (note: see important prerequisites, below)
Owners who have not trained at Scratch and Sniff Canine Services previously will be required to view the Orientation Webinar session prior to class, and possibly attend a free assessment
Prerequisite training skills (taught with positive reinforcement/clicker):
Hand target (touch)
Basic skills in recall, sit, leash walking, leave it/’doggy zen’
Refunds and credit are not available for Specialty Classes.
Schedule
The Boot-Scootin’ Back-up Challenge!
Starting Tues Nov 15th 7:45pm, six consecutive weeks (ends before the holidays) $295+HST
Scent detection is an up-and-coming sport that’s seen a recent surge in popularity in Canada. The goal is to teach your dog to search for a particular scent, and then alert you to its location. The scent can be hidden anywhere from in one of multiple containers, to an interior room, a vehicle, or the outside of a building. This is a great way to mentally exhaust your dog, and truly learn to appreciate the unique abilities of our dogs.
The training taught in class is similar to what is used to teach working detection dogs, including bed bug dogs, border patrol dogs, conservation dogs, and drug dogs. There are also some similarities to other scent sports, such as tracking and search and rescue.
This is a fantastic way to tire out your pooch, and your dog will love it!
Program Details
IN-PERSON Sniffer Dogs Level One Starting Tues Feb 14th, 7:45pm Six consecutive weeks
$315+HST INCLUDING Scent Kit
For in-person classes: If you need to miss a class, give advanced notice to the office and you can join the class via ZOOM from home.
Requirements
In-Person: Two handlers per dog, depending on COVID risks. that may reduce without warning in case if increasing COVID risks.
Submitting registration/payment indicates acceptance of the group class policy
Prerequisite behaviours, taught with positive/clicker training
Hand Target
Zen/basic leave it with food in hand
Materials
Training supplies as outlined in your handouts
A Scent Kit, included in the program cost
If you have not attended classes at Scratch and Sniff Canine Services, please review the above prerequisite behaviours and contact the office, and view the free Orientation Webinar prior to starting class.
