Life Skills
You want your puppy/dog to be a central part of your life, but you’re struggling with some undesirable behaviors.
What you’re experiencing is likely common dog behavior, and we have all the tools to help resolve issues so that you can begin enjoying life with your dog again.
Our Life Skills program is designed to bring relief to both you and your dog. It can help dogs at all life stages develop and strengthen their abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour so they are resilient and able to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life.
Group Class Program
- Group Class Program
Looking for some basic training to make life with your pup/dog easier? Our group life skills program includes games to teach key concepts to get any dog on the right track.
GROUP CLASS PROGRAM INCLUDES
- One-hour group class sessions held at an outdoor location or remotely via Zoom over 5 consecutive weeks
- Small group classes to ensure you get individual attention
- Group Q&A at each session
- Feedback of one training video (maximum 3 minutes in length) each week
- 3-months access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from the group sessions
- 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy
- Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes
- FREE Bodywork or Energywork assessment (TBD by Pooch Partners)
- FREE gait analysis
REGISTER FOR A GROUP PROGRAM
Puppy – between 10-16 weeks of age
Adult – puppies/dogs over 16 weeks of age
Watch for sessions
in spring 2025
Mon @6:00 pm
Jan 13 – Feb 10
Watch for sessions
in spring 2025
Mon @7:15 pm
Jan 13 – Feb 10
Private Program
Private Program
Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.
PRIVATE PROGRAM INCLUDES
- One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location (Apr-Oct), your home, or remotely over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available
- Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs
- Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions
- Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program
- 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session
- 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy
- Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes
- FREE Bodywork or Energywork assessment (TBD by Pooch Partners)
- FREE gait analysis
REGISTER FOR PRIVATE PROGRAM
What we can help with
Relationship building
We know you want a great relationship with your dog, so we incorporate games that build focus and attention, grows confidence in shy dogs, and nurtures a mutually rewarding relationship of trust and respect between you and your dog.
Basic manners
When it comes to problem solving, we’ve seen it all; dogs who don’t have an ‘off switch,’ lack the ability to focus and pay attention, etc. Our Life Skills program helps with many of the common issues such as recall, loose leash walking, puppy nipping, jumping, chewing, counter surfing, barking, and digging. We can also provide you with management skills such as crate training and other preventative strategies.
Struggles out and about
Instead of enjoyable outings with your pooch do you find yourself stressed out and worried before you even head out the door? It’s like you don’t exist at all with your dog focused on everything except you, lunging, barking, chasing squirrels, or not coming with called. Our Life Skills program includes games that encourage desired behaviours in all environments.
What our clients are saying
Got questions? We have answers
As a certified Fear free trainer, Pooch Partners uses only positive training methods, primarily games based concept training, and depending on the skill being taught, clicker training may also be used.
Games based concept training involves playing games with your dog that teaches them different concepts. For example, to teach a recall we would play games that build up our dogs ability to disengage from what they are doing (disengagement), turn towards us (orientation), and then come in close proximity (proximity) to us. As we play the games, our dog learns these concepts and patterned behaviours and we are then able to put it all together with a recall cue. Playing the games increases the “feel good” hormones which leads to increased motivation and engagement to play the games.
If you miss a scheduled group session, there is no make-up session. You will have access to the video recording of the missed session that you can review to ensure you are ready for the next session.
For private training packages you must cancel any scheduled session at least 24 hrs in advance in order to re-schedule it for a later date. Failing to follow this cancellation policy will result in a loss of that session.
A typical session involves 5-10 minutes to review the prior session and get updates on each student’s progress, 10-15 minutes to introduce/demo new content, 20-25 minutes of practical exercises, and 5-10 minutes for questions/review homework.
A typical private session is similar to the group session, except that it is customizable. This means that there is opportunity to address any issues that may arise beyond the typical group session content, and if preferred by the guardian, to spend time working on a specific skill or issue.
Group classes run on the same day and time for consecutive weeks, so if you miss a session, there is no make up session available. These sessions have a set curriculum which may or may not address specific behaviour issues you may be having with your dog, and individual attention is split between all of the participants.
Private training programs provide the option of scheduling on different days and times over consecutive weeks to accommodate busy schedules. They are customized for you and your dog’s specific needs, and you get the undivided attention of the trainer to answer any of your questions.
So if you have specific behaviour issues that you want addressed, and/or are not able to commit to sessions on the group training schedule then a private training package is the one for you.
Professional associations prohibit the unethical practice of guaranteeing specific training results. The success of the training is highly dependent on your commitment, participation, and daily practice. We do guarantee top-notch support to set you and your dog up to achieve that success.
Inconsistency in training methods will definitely impact your dog’s success. It is crucial to have all people in the household on the same page to give your dog the best learning experience. As many people are not familiar with games based training, in my experience skepticism is replaced with confidence and participation in the training when your spouse/partner sees the changes in your dog’s behaviour after playing the games.
We are proud to have a unique and extensive list of qualifications that you can review on the About Us page.
You will be advised what to bring to each session, but typically for the first session you will need:
- your dog on a flat collar/martingale/Y-harness and leash (no retractables)
- a long line
- your dog’s bed or a blanket/large towel
- your dog’s daily food allowance (typically a mix of regular food with whatever treats you may use)
- poop bags
- water – dependent on the time of year
When you register for a training package and complete the online payment process, you will see a “Schedule” link. This is not used for scheduling but rather to collect dog specific information from you. Click on the “Schedule” link, select any day and time and complete the form. If you have booked a private training package, once the form is received you will be contacted to arrange a start day/time. You will be asked to Like and Follow the Pooch Partners Facebook page and will also be provided with a link to request access to a private Facebook group.
Still have a question? Contact us here!
Explore our credentials
