Our popular Life Skills program is now offered in multiple formats! This program is perfect for puppies, new dogs, adolescents, and new adoptions. We cover all “the basics” of manners training and easier living with your dog! You can find full content details on each program webpage.
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.
In-Person Life Skills is great for those living in or near Guelph who enjoy the accountability that comes with a in-person, weekly interaction, and whose schedule allows for consecutive classes for this six-week program. Students attending in-person group classes are required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
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.
Winter Weather Notice: Be prepared to travel to your Party during winter driving conditions. Parties will be cancelled only in the most extreme weather circumstances.
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!
See what students say about our various virtual training programs!
Just click the image to read it.
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!
Want to try out Google Classroom?
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
Watch this demo of Virtual Life Skills! (Note: the platform and content is the same, however now you can progress through at your own pace. This video will be updated to reflect this shortly!)
Register for Virtual Life Skills!
This program is not interchangeable with the in-person Life Skills Program. You cannot transfer between programs after registration.
$295+HST
Start on demand!
Top-up your program timeframe: $60+HST/2 weeks (available only to current students)
Life Skills is an all-ages manners and obedience program, appropriate for puppies, adolescents and adult dogs alike.
We will cover topics such as:
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
Prevent “Counter surfing”
And more!
What you get…
Orientation Webinar to watch before getting started
Six weekly group classes with a flexible start date selection
Life Skills Online Resource Classroom including videos of training exercises and bonus material
If there is a COVID related closure, illness or quarantine, you will be transferred directly to Virtual Life Skills to seamlessly complete the program!
Puppies! You get all of the above PLUS:
Access to the All Things Puppy Classroom for quick answers on common puppy issues, such as house training, nipping, crate training and more
COVID-19 vaccination is required for students attending in-person group classes
Masks are mandatory, and must cover the nose and mouth, no vents or neck gaiters. Virtual or distanced outdoor private training is the best option for those who are uncomfortable or unable to wear a mask.
ONE person per dog until further notice. Family members may switch off each class. Proof of vaccination must be provided for anyone attending class.
In case of ANY COVID-related closure or absence, including illness, quarantine or isolation, your program will transfer directly to the Virtual Life Skills Program. No refund, credit or other service will be provided in this circumstance.
Your program will run for six consecutive weeks from the confirmed start date (save for clearly stated holidays/cancellations). Make-up classes are not available, and students can keep up in the online resource classroom.
Your new dog/puppy must be living with you for at least 7 days prior to your first class.
Documentation of dog vaccination (Parvo/Distemper, Rabies if age appropriate) is required for ALL dogs.
Should your instructor become ill class will be put on hold until recovery is confirmed. Please leave additional availability after your program to accommodate possibility of this safety procedure.
Your start date will be confirmed upon registration.
Winter Weather Notice: Be prepared to travel to class during winter driving conditions. Classes will not be cancelled unless weather is truly extreme.
Register for Life Skills!
After reading through this webpage, group FAQ and Policy, complete the form below and you’ll receive confirmation of your start date shortly! If you have questions, contact the office before completing the form.
Full COVID vaccination is required for students to attend in-person group classes. If you are not fully vaccinated, check out the Virtual Life Skills Program!
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.
“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.
