Ultimate Dog Training Checklist - Helping Your Dog Become Their Best Self 💫 🐶

Helping Your Dog Become Their Best Self!

Whether you’re starting fresh or brushing up on skills, this checklist is designed to guide you through essential training steps to build a well-behaved and happy pup.

Basic Obedience Skills

✅ Sit – Teach your dog to sit on command; it’s the foundation of good behavior.
✅ Stay – Build focus and patience with short durations and low distractions, gradually increasing both.
✅ Recall (Come) – Train your dog to return to you every time, even with distractions.
✅ Heel – Work on walking calmly beside you on a loose lead.
✅ Okay/Release – Teach a release command to signal the end of a task.

Socialisation

✅ New People – Introduce your dog to different people to build confidence.
✅ Other Dogs – Allow safe, positive interactions with other dogs.
✅ Environments – Expose your dog to various places (parks, streets, etc.) to reduce anxiety in new settings.

Enrichment & Engagement

✅ Puzzle Toys – Stimulate your dog’s mind with toys like Kongs or snuffle mats.
✅ Fetch/Play Games – Build a bond and burn energy through interactive play.
✅ Scent Work – Hide treats and let your dog use their nose to find them.

Impulse Control

✅ Wait at Doors – Teach your dog to wait for permission before exiting.
✅ Leave It – Train your dog to ignore items or distractions on command.
✅ Calm Greetings – Reinforce sitting calmly instead of jumping when meeting people.

Advanced Skills

✅ Tricks – Teach fun tricks like “Spin,” “Middle,” or “Shake” to keep training exciting.
✅ Stand Stay – Master standing still on command for grooming or vet visits.
✅ Hold – Practice holding objects (like toys) on command.

Training Tips

1️⃣ Short Sessions: Train in 5–10 minute bursts to keep your dog focused and engaged.
2️⃣ Reward Good Behavior: Use treats, toys, or praise to reinforce positive actions.
3️⃣ Be Consistent: Practice commands regularly and use the same cues for clarity.
4️⃣ Stay Positive: Training should be fun! Celebrate progress, even small wins.
5️⃣ Gradual Challenges: Start with low distractions and slowly increase difficulty as your dog improves.

Bonus Challenge! 🎉

Try teaching a new trick this week, like "Spin" or "Paw." Share your success stories with us—we’d love to see your progress!

Want to Learn More?

Ask us about our Life Skills Classes for Dogs—designed to help your pup master essential obedience, confidence-building, and advanced skills in a fun and supportive environment. Contact us today to learn more or book your spot!