PUPPY TRAINING GUIDE

(PUPPY GROUP CLASS GUIDE INCLUDED)

Trainer/Behaviorist: Walter Mott

Contact Info: training@wolfmanscanines.com

Office Hours: Tues/Thurs: 9am-12pm

TRAINING OVERVIEW:

You got a puppy, now what?!

This syllabus will help provide you with all the basic information about what your puppy will be learning in the puppy exclusive Board and Train & 1-1 Session programs as well as Puppy Group Classes. It is an extensive curriculum and will provide you and your pup the best foundation to build on. This will include but not limited to:

Housetraining (Potty Training, Chew Toy Training, Crate Training) - so your puppy learns how to behave at home when left unsupervised and settle down quietly when you want them to. 

Confidence Training (Socialization, Desensitization, Handling, Resolving Phobias) - so your puppy learns to enjoy being held and handled and does not become fearful, reactive, or aggressive towards any people, animals, or other stimuli.

Lure Reward Training (Sit, Down, Stand, Come, Follow, Go To Your Bed, Settle Down, Off, Take It, Thank You, Fetch, Tug) - so your pup learns to perform useful behaviors on cue, reliably, and promptly so you can have fun together and redirect your pup away from unwanted behaviors.

All of our training is reward-based and designed to build and strengthen a relationship between you and your puppy that is based on trust and communication.

Initially, we will make extensive use of food in your pup’s training, but we will also show you how to phase out the need for food lures so you do not become dependent on food to get your puppy's attention or compliance.

What makes Wolfman’s Canines unique is our pack of 6 dogs (THE PACK) that will be involved in your puppy’s transformation process through structured socialization and enrichment. We have a pack member for every personality type, age, and energy level.

Wolfman’s Canines is under the direction of Walter Mott, Co-Founder, Professional Dog Trainer, AKC Certified Evaluator, SIRIUS Dog Trainer Accredited, Dunbar Academy Educated. While his wife, Hannah Lairmore is also Co-Founder & Administrative and Communications Director, is the brains behind all the amazing and proactive processes that make becoming a pack member that much easier!

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Below is a basic representation of what each week will entail, however the weeks will vary. Although each dog is unique in its needs and abilities, the skills they learn will all be the same. How we get there will be as unique as the dog, and we only move at the speed at which the dog can handle. We NEVER put your dog in situations they’re not prepared for and never ask for more than we replenish.

Week 1

Decompression, House Training, Confidence Training

Week 2

House Training, Confidence Training, Lure & Reward Training

Week 3

Classical Conditioning on-site, Confidence Training, Intermediate Commands

Week 4

Classical Conditioning off-site, Confidence Training, Advanced Commands

DAILY B&T SCHEDULE: 

7-8AM: Let out for first bathroom break + free time to explore

**Kong Feeding- put back in crate/kennel with (1st) Kong(s) full of food

12-1PM: 1st Training Session of the day

3-4PM: 2nd Training Session and/or Structured Socialization with WC pack members, daycare dogs and/or other B&T dogs (depending on temperament & concentration levels that day etc)

6-7PM: Let out for bathroom break + free time to explore

**Kong Feeding- put back in crate/kennel with (2nd) Kong(s) full of food

9-10PM: Let out for final bathroom break + free time to explore

**Put back in crate/kennel for the night

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Basic Manners & Obedience

  • Sit, Stand, & Down

  • Take it/Leave it

  • Woof/Shush

  • Loose leash walking

  • Recall* (Level of distraction proofing varies by dog)

  • Place

 Every dog owner can be a dog trainer!!

AT-HOME EXERCISES

Homework will be assigned both pre & post board & train. This is to ensure the highest level of success possible with the new set of life skills we help teach your pup! PRE-TRAINING HOMEWORK is for you and your companion to build a general understanding of the training methods and concepts that will be used while training takes place. This is the time to buy the recommended tools and get you and your companion familiarized with them. It is best to sign up for the DUNBAR ACADEMY prior to boarding your dog so you can become familiar with the methods and terms that will be used during your dog’s training. Included in your discharge summary is your POST-TRAINING HOMEWORK, that will consist of guides and recommendations from our trainer on what to work more on.

**REQUIRED!!**

In order to take advantage of the REFRESHER SESSIONS included in your program, it is REQUIRED that you create your own login with the DUNBAR ACADEMY (instructions on how to sign up are below) in order to be able to access the at-home exercises and resources assigned to you before, during & after your 1-on-1 sessions with your trainer. Please have this completed prior to your appointment time, or else you may be asked to reschedule. **ALL FREE REFRESHER SESSIONS WILL EXPIRE 1x MONTH POST B&T PICK-UP DATE**

You only need to spend 15- 30 minutes daily to achieve & sustain progress in training!!

TRAINER’S OFFICE HOURS (client communication): Tuesdays/Thursdays & Saturdays: 9am-12pm

Please expect to receive responses to training questions, as well as any additional homework or resources the trainer may see fit during these times.

BOARD & TRAIN COMMUNICATION:

  • Tuesdays (text update)- this will include a simple update on your dog's well-being along with any answers to questions you may have had previously. 

  • Fridays (report cards)- you can expect a longer report card sent via email that will include what was worked on in training through the week, what your dog needs to still improve on, pictures & videos as well as correlating homework assignments.

  • Daily (or every other day)- you will receive a Google Photos text link after drop-off (with a ‘first night’ update)- where you can view transformational photos & videos during your dog’s stay at Wolfman’s Canines! We also regularly post progress photos and instructional videos to Instagram- you follow us by clicking HERE!

  • General questions on policies, payment arrangements or paperwork will be answered by admin Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm.  **This does not apply to any emergency requests or situations which will be handled asap**

    REQUIRED TEXT:

These required texts are full of pertinent information regarding the development of your puppy. Click the links below to access each text. 

FOLLOW-UP:

For all Wolfman’s Canines clients, we offer a month free trial of the Dunbar Academy. This is to help strengthen your understanding of the methods used and how to better communicate with your pup before, during and after their training program has been completed.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SIGN UP FOR DUNBAR ACADEMY:

1. Click this link, it will navigate you to "The Dop Dog Academy" page with a green banner on the top saying "100% off the first payment of $20"

2. Click the blue "Subscribe Now" button.

3. Input your relevant credit or debit card information and click "Complete Purchase". 

             --->>> Like all free trials, a credit or debit card on file is required. There is no penalty, however, to cancel after the first free month. I recommend clients put a notice or alert in their calendar to remind them to cancel after 1 month if they wish to do so. And so with this, you will have access to ALL courses for FREE for this first month- including but not limited to "The Essential Puppy Course."

4. Enjoy your FREE month trial!

REFRESHER COURSES:

With all Board & Train programs, Wolfman’s Canines offers free follow up 1-on-1 REFRESHER SESSIONS (45 minutes long). These refresher sessions are required to be scheduled and used within 4 weeks of the board & train pick up date.  This time constraint exists to maintain the continuity of training techniques and to mitigate behavioral regression. These 1-on-1 follow up sessions are crucial to the long term success of your dog's behavioral changes and ongoing improvements!

In addition, as a WOLFPACK MEMBER (all programs included), you are eligible for a LIFETIME REFRESHER SESSION - one time a year for the life of your dog! You can schedule this at any point in time by visiting our scheduling page from our website or by clicking the following link—> SCHEDULE ONLINE. We offer this follow up training as we are big purveyors of making sure there is a long-term return on investment for everyone involved!

BOARD & TRAIN SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • Dog Food (for the #/wk boarding + plus 1x extra wk)

  • 1x Medium Bag of Treats (high reward)

  • Mandatory Medication (flea/tick meds will not be administered)

  • Collar w/ Dog Name + Owner Information

1-1 SESSIONS/GROUP CLASSES SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • 1x Medium Bag of Treats (high reward)

  • Collar w/ Dog Name + Owner Information

  • 1x 6ft Leash (non-retractable)

  • Kongs *USED IN HW* (size dependent on dog)

TOOLS USED/PROVIDED BY WOLFMAN’S CANINES:

  • Slip Lead (loose leash)

  • 30’ Long leash (recall)

  • 1x 6ft Leash (non-retractable)

  • Tug toys (play breaks)

  • 1x Bowl for Food

  • 1x Bedding/Pad or Blanket

  • Crate + Kennel *B&T ONLY* (size dependent on dog)

Kongs *B&T ONLY* (size dependent on dog)