TEEN LIFE SKILLS
Level Up & Start Developing A Well-Behaved Future Adult
A completely reward-based training program for dogs starting between the ages of 4 - 23 months at the time of their first class. Learn how to bring out the best in your adolescent dog, strengthen your relationship, develop good habits, and lay the groundwork for raising a happy well-behaved adult dog. A new round of Teen Life Skills begins every 4 weeks, alternating between Tuesdays and Thursdays.
​
Scroll down to see when the next session is starting.
NEXT LEVEL 1 START DATE:
TUESDAY, OCT 10 @ 6:30pm
*Must have completed level 1 or equivalent private training. Reservation is required each class in order to attend.
**Expiration dates apply - Click here to view policy details on FAQ page
The Learning Process
Training is learning and learning is life-long. Our programs are constructed to align with the 4 stages of the learning process: acquisition, fluency, maintenance, and generalization.
AQUISITION
Can do the skill when prompted, but not always fast or accurate. The goal is improved accuracy of the right response.
​
FLUENCY
Does the skill accurately when prompted, but thinks slowly and gets confused with other skills. The goal is increased speed of the right response.
​
GENERALIZATION
Does the skill accurately and quickly when prompted, but only in certain setting. The goal is speed and accuracy of response in range of contexts.
​
MAINTENANCE
Near perfected ability to complete the skill when prompted whenever and wherever. Since nothing is ever 100% guaranteed with behaviour the goal is to keep practicing to strongly retain the skill.
Following this learning process produces strong skill development and so is applied by educated and skilled animal trainers world-wide. Our Life Skills Program is intentionally divided into three learning stages identified by levels in order to set you and your dog up for life-long learning success!
How Program Levels Work
Life Skills Level 1
​
+ Focuses on the acquisition of a selection of essential skills.
+ Classes at this level are age & either size or personality specific - puppy, teen, & adult.
Course
Overview
-
Classes are held once a week on the same day at the same time for 8 weeks
-
Required orientation attendance prior to starting first class
-
Work toward completing first stage of the learning process for the following skills: attention, touch, sit, down, recall, leave it, drop it, leash walking, stay, wait, greetings, body handling
-
Free play opportunities narrated by certified professional trainer
-
Management strategies for training success
-
Written resource guides on all the hot topics for adolescent dogs
-
Easy to follow written homework guide to aid practice
-
Trainer may make individual changes such as switching a dog to the other class or another course offering.
Please note that the Life Skills Program for teens and adults is not for dogs struggling with fear-based reactivity toward people or dogs, or has an injurious bite history with medical treatment required.
If this sounds like your dog please visit our Fear & Aggression page; if unsure please email us directly.
Be sure to review our Policies, and Terms & Conditions before booking.
Get Started!
Follow our guide below to set up your account and get booked in.
Once your account in Gingr is created this is now your portal for everything Raising Fido.
​
It’s easy to book your pup in for courses, make or cancel reservations, communicate directly with us, process secure payments, receive written report cards with photos or videos and more.
​
You can download Gingr for Pet Parents on your phone or tablet using invite code: 467221
Essential Life Skills Training
We know that an overwhelming experience is not conducive for learning and so we do not practice or support the "sink or swim" approach to training. The Life Skills Program focuses on providing an environment where new learning challenges are presented in fun achievable steps. Classes are designed to build confidence and connection between handlers and their adolescent dog in a group class setting while acquiring behaviour skills that for many dogs are seen as essential in order to thrive in a busy urban city.
Every learner differs in terms of the skills that come more easily to them and those that require more practice. And just as there are half steps and modifications when practicing Yoga for example - our program is similarly constructed so that we are able to efficiently overcome roadblocks to maintain motivation on both ends of the leash! Class participant maximums are deliberately kept low to better allow for individual attention in class so that the trainer can best meet each learner's needs.
​
Booking a spot in Teen Life Skills Level 1 concurrently with our Teen Socialization Program gets your life long training journey with your dog started with a powerful one-two combo.
