Mutt Middleschool

Is walking your dog a chore because they pull, drag you to other dogs, jump on people passing by and/or pick up garbage? Does your dog demand attention when you are trying to get work done or eat your dinner at home? Is your dog less than a model host when you have guests visit? If all or some of these describe your dog, then this is the course for you! You will learn strategies for all of these situations.
Our basic training course is for dogs from four to five months of age (at the beginning of the course). To ensure you have lots of private attention, classes are limited in size. All members of your family are encouraged to attend. Gentle methods are used to help further the bond that you have with your furry friend. Over the length of the course we will show you how to develop the following skills which can make your pet a great companion:

• Sit
• Down
• Go to their mat on cue
• Come (the first time you call them!)
• Stay
• Walk nicely on leash
• Greet people politely (without jumping!)

As well as:

• Show you how to set up safe dog-dog on-leash greetings
• Learn relaxation/self-control exercises

Your puppy will be able to continue their socialization via a group walk at the beginning of each class.

Unleashed Pawsabilities Produced Resources

You will get access to 30 videos and counting, over 45 recorded theory and question and answer videos, and more than 70 handouts.

The Family Dog Dial Guide

The course includes personal access to The Family Dog’s Dial Guide set of 4 X 10 minute videos and e-workbook ($70 value). The videos succinctly summarize what all dog “parents” need to know to set their puppy up to succeed and make adjustments immediately when every thing isn’t peachy.  You can binge the videos all at once or spread them out as your schedule allows. You can also go back and watch them again.  There are some key reference sheets in the e-workbook that you will want to refer to throughout your puppy’s first couple of years.  The video content perfectly complements the hands on training we do in class. Learn more here: The Dial Method (thefamilydog.com)

Total Course Cost: $275

Notes re: Dogs over Six Months Old

We have found that the needs of most families who are just starting formal training with their dogs over six months of age benefit most from private training and the main reason we run a puppy school.

We want both you and your dog to enjoy classes so we are here to help check for a proper fit in advance.  We encourage you to do a self-assessment:

• Does your dog bark and lunge when they pass people or other dogs on leash?
• Has your dog had limited exposure to other dogs, new places or situations?
• Would it be very difficult to get your dog’s attention if your dog had to wait in an animal hospital lobby on leash with another dog, if they weren’t allowed to greet them? 

Such behaviours can be turned around, but you will have more success with one on one coaching.

If you didn’t answer yes to most of the questions above and you think your dog would be a good candidate for group classes, please send us an email at info@unleashedpaws.ca to set up a time for us to meet at the training center for a mini-evaluation.

Private training allows families to focus on the specific items that they want to work on which may not include the broad course content of our Mutt Middle School course. Dogs who have not been in a class situation before, or for a long time, can find the class environment overstimulating making it difficult for them to concentrate on learning new skills. On the other hand, learning these new skills in private training in their own home or neighbourhood is much easier. Please see the list below of trainers that we recommend who offer private training. 

Private Trainers

• Malena DeMartini, The Expert on Helping Dogs with Separation Anxiety
• The Mindful Canine
• Partridge Canine Services
• Silvia 4 Dogs
• Sublime Canine