Puppy program lesson plan

Months 1-3: Building the foundation

During the first three months, we focus on essential puppy skills and addressing common challenges. Our approach includes:

• Environment: We start training in your home, where your puppy is most comfortable
• Motivation: We teach your puppy to be motivated by the task itself, not just the trainer
• Time management: Short, frequent sessions keep your puppy engaged and eager to learn

Key focus areas:

• Behavior modifications: Addressing jumping, biting, chewing, and potty accidents
• Potty training and crate training
• Basic skills: Leash introduction, name recognition, prep for commands
• Owner education: Creating routines, managing puppy behavior

Commands introduced:

• Sit: Move to a sitting position and stay
• Down: Lie down on command and stay
• Heel: Walk close at your side until released

Visual cues:

• Potty cues: Associate specific areas with elimination
• Crate manners: Enter and remain calm in crate
• Gentle play: Learn appropriate play intensity

Additional elements:

• Handling exercises: Get puppy comfortable with touching paws, ears, mouth
• Check-in appointments: Extra guidance and support

Training schedule:

2 weeks of daily in-home lessons with a trainer, followed by 5 guided owner lessons to continue throughout the quarter and video tutorials.

Months 4-6: Developing core skills

As your puppy grows and explores more, we focus on reinforcing good behaviors and introducing more complex commands. Our approach includes:

• Consistency: We build on foundational skills while introducing new challenges.
• Positive reinforcement: We ensure your puppy enjoys behaving well.
• Real-life practice: We incorporate training into everyday situations.

Key focus areas:

• Behavior modifications: Addressing leash pulling, poor manners, ignoring commands, and overexcitement
• Leash training: Proper walking techniques and etiquette
• Guest manners: Teaching appropriate behavior around visitors
• Basic commands: Expanding on previously learned skills

Commands introduced:

• Come when called: Reliable recall in various situations
• Down: Calm down when excited
• Heel: Walk beside you without pulling
• Release: End a command or position

Visual cues:

• Door manners: Back up when a door opens
• Default down: Lie down when people are seated
• People manners: Recognize open arms as invitation for affection, closed arms as a signal to give space

Additional elements:

• Owner lessons: Reinforce leash training, guest manners, and basic commands
• Check-in appointments: Address any emerging issues

Training schedule:

2 weeks of daily in-home lessons with a trainer, followed by 5 guided owner lessons to continue throughout the quarter and video tutorials.

Months 7-9: Advancing abilities

During this period, your puppy may start testing limits. We focus on ensuring reliable obedience through:

• Proactive training: We challenge your dog in new environments
• Blended techniques: We combine positive reinforcement with appropriate corrective measures
• Consistency: We reinforce that your dog "must" listen in all situations

Key focus areas:

• Behavior modifications: Proactive distraction training
• Intermediate to advanced training: Building on previously learned skills
• Impulse control: Improving self-control in exciting situations

Commands reinforced and advanced:

• All previous commands: With increased difficulty and distractions
• Complex tasks: Introduction to more complex tasks and sequences

Visual cues:

• Reinforce previous cues: Refine all previously learned visual cues
• Body language: Introduce subtle body language cues for various commands

Additional elements:

• Owner lessons: Advanced handling techniques and problem-solving
• Check-in appointments: Tackle any emerging challenging behaviors

Training schedule:

2 weeks of daily in-home lessons with a trainer, followed by 5 guided owner lessons to continue throughout the quarter and video tutorials.

Months 10-12: Perfecting performance

In the final months, we ensure your dog can behave reliably anywhere, on or off the leash. Our focus includes:

• Generalization: We work on maintaining obedience in various environments
• Off-leash reliability: We advance to off-leash training for ultimate control
• Public performance: We ensure your dog behaves well in all public settings

Key focus areas:

• Behavior modifications: Working in different environments, both on and off-leash
• Off-leash training: Reliable control without physical restraint
• Public training: Maintaining obedience in distracting public spaces
• Advanced training: Refining all learned skills to a high level of performance

Commands and skills refined:

• All previous commands: Performed off-leash and in public
• Advanced tricks: Additional tricks and tasks as desired

Visual cues:

• Subtle cues: Nearly invisible cues for all commands
• Distance work: Responding to visual signals from afar

Additional elements:

• Owner lessons: Mastering off-leash control and public manners
• Final assessment: Evaluating overall progress and addressing any last concerns

Training schedule:

2 weeks of daily in-home lessons with a trainer, followed by 5 guided owner lessons to continue throughout the quarter and video tutorials.

Throughout the program:

Flexible scheduling, continuous support via phone/email, and the ability to tailor the program to your specific needs.