CORE SKILLS 201

great puppy

in-studio courses for ages 5 months+

cost $325 | 8 weeks

This is the second course in our core skills series: Good Puppy, Great Puppy, then Wonder Puppy.

This course is all about supporting you and your puppy through adolescence! You'll learn how to apply your puppy’s first-level skills practically and help her develop greater impulse control as you strengthen your relationship, solidify her behavior foundation and prepare for our ultimate-level skills course.

You’ll expand your training system to include more play and less treats, and to increase relaxation and the ability to settle without needing continuous entertainment and food. You’ll train many versions of stay—when someone’s at the door, while you’re making food, when someone greets you on leash, when a skateboard goes by and more—as well as other core behaviors with added duration, distance and distraction.

Interested in taking Great Puppy but didn’t take Good Puppy with us? Give us a call at (503) 697-7877 and we’ll talk about the skills we cover in our classes, assess your readiness, discuss clean training mechanics and our methodology, and give you some customized homework to practice before class!

    • consists of 8 weekly 1-hour classes conducted in person or via Zoom. Note - for a successful online outcome, it’s necessary to also be socializing your puppy to the world, and practicing generalizing what you learn to outdoor and distracting environments.

    • skills covered include—adolescence behavior management techniques | relaxation techniques | how to fade food rewards + add play rewards | stay around food + toys | come when called past food + toys | take it + drop it on cue | leash walking around distractions | leave it on a walk | calm focus + stay when approached for greetings and around sights + sounds | calm behavior for grooming

    • limited to 5 puppies

    • clicker plus class slides and videos provided

    • puppy who’s 5 months or older and completed our first level Good Puppy course (Did you take a first level basic skills course somewhere else? Reach out to us at (503) 697-7877 to get into Great Puppy!)

    • please review our covid policy before attending

    • puppy behavior requirements - puppy must be comfortable and manageable when in close proximity to other people and dogs. If your puppy has been known to fixate on, lunge, or be vocal toward other dogs (even if they are just being overly-excited), in studio class is not the right fit for now. Please chat with the office for other options.

    • puppy skill requirements - puppy should be somewhat reliable with basic skills in the presence of distractions: relax on a mat, focus, sit, down, stay, and come when called.

    • please note: if your puppy is in heat (estrus cycle), please attend class without your puppy

    • semi-hungry, semi-tired, pottied puppy

    • 6-foot non-retractable leash

    • tether or second leash

    • harness and/or collar—no chain/prong/shock/vibrating collars

    • treat pouch

    • clicker

    • treats—3 types of HIGH-value, pea-sized yummies including 1 that’s slimy (turkey dogs, chicken…)

    • edible chew item or stuffed food puzzle

    • tug or squeaky toy

    • small portable mat for your dog to lay on

    • go out with your puppy at least 3 times per week until class starts with the "we're working" mindset

    • in a public location near dogs and people, practice settling on a mat together and go through your basic skills

    • alternate work time with play that involves you and sniffing/exploration

    • to strengthen your connection and be best prepared, don't allow your puppy to greet, or be greeted by, others during these outings (think of them as YOUR special time TOGETHER to practice connection with each other - that’s what class will be like! :)

    • reminder - if your puppy is known to be vocal or reactive toward other dogs (even if they are just being overly-excited), in studio class is not the right fit for now. Please chat with the office for other options or if you are unsure: (503)697-7877 or info@wonder-puppy.com

  • We allow children ages 6 and older to attend. Children ages 6-15 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

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book your class below

  • If a course’s date range is longer than 8 weeks, then there’s a skip week or two (no class). Your instructor will fill you in on the specifics.

Reminders!

  • if you are signing up for an in-studio class, up to two people are allowed per puppy

  • puppies must be socialized to attend in-studio classes; very vocal and/or reactive dogs are not a fit for in-studio classes

  • if in-studio classes have to close due to covid at any point, they’ll be converted to the online format without interruption. Sorry, there will be no refunds in the case of conversion.