This course covers:

  • Phase 2: Sit (stay) – Progression of Sit from 101 program
  • Progression of household skills with shorter inside line
  • Phase 1: Place
  • Phase 1: Leave it
  • Phase 1: Controlled walking
  • Phase 1: Down
  • Phase 1: Come
  • Introduction of long line use

Number of lessons: 3 one-on-one lessons at your home

Prerequisites: A high competency in all Training 101 skills

NOTE: If you’ve achieved high competency in the Intermediate Puppy Program you may be able to test out of this program and go directly to Training 301

Cost: $395

dog in a basic training 201

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the curriculum and competencies for this program?

  1. Phase 2: Sit – This progression challenges greater time, and distraction level in the sit, as well as introduces the temporary command “stay” to achieve more separation from your dog while they sit.
  2. Phase 1: Place – Introduction to the skill of sending your dog to a spot. Your dog will recognize the command and go to the spot we designate from a short distance.
  3. Phase 1: Leave it – This command teaches a dog to turn their head away from something they’re showing interest in, move away from it, and leave it alone.
  4. Phase 1: Controlled walking – This skill designates a command that means that your dog needs to walk at your side, starting and stopping in that position as you walk, until you affirmatively release them from that position. This introduction level teaches a dog to do this under mild, ‘set-up’ distractions.
  5. Phase 1: Down – The introduction of down teaches your dog to consistently recognize the command and perform a down under mild introductory level distraction
  6. Phase 1: Come – The intro of recall or “come” teaches your dog to turn away from something they’re showing interest in and run over to you. This intro competency is achieved when your dog can do this on a long line under medium distraction and perform an automatic sit in front of you once they arrive.

What method of training is used?

Sean teaches a relationship-based method that doesn’t rely on food as a primary training tool. The method of training relies on social cues, reading your dog’s body language, and social reward in training. The method relies on accurate positive reinforcement of what we do want and guidance, direction and correction with a leash following Sean’s “minimum threshold of effective communication” principle.

With some dogs, particularly dogs that have not had the advantage of any puppy training or socialization, may need remedial “puppy-like” introductions to the most basic of exercises. When this is required, we will revert to our puppy training methodology that relies more heavily on food during introduction stages.

What training equipment is needed?

  • Leash – regular 6-foot leash
  • Training collar – The particular collar will be determined by your trainer
  • 2-foot short leash for indoor use
  • Long line

Does this course teach off-leash obedience?

No. Off leash obedience is achieved in our 401 program. The progression towards that. Our steps towards off leash work are as follows:

Training 101: Relationship and foundation

Training 201: Core Obedience – On leash, dropped leash and long line progressions in obedience work.

Training 301: Intermediate Obedience – Greater distance work with long line, more complex tasks like permanent and temporary boundary work, and introduction to a remote training collar. Additionally, this program requires more extensive proofing in higher distraction environments.

Training 401: Advanced obedience – Transition to from long line to off-leash, remote training collar work. Proofing under heavy distractions. Obedience commands from distance.