Pro-Active Puppy Course

Welcome to the puppy journey. This module introduces the foundation of training: puppies repeat behaviours that work for them. Reinforcement drives behaviour, which means the behaviours we reward are the behaviours we are more likely to see again.

This module teaches how to communicate clearly with your puppy using marker training and how to understand what your puppy is communicating through body language.

Marker Training

• Use a clear marker word, such as “yes”, followed by a reward.
• The marker captures the exact behaviour you like.
• Use food rewards first, then add toys once the marker is established.
• Every “yes” should predict a treat.

Body Language

Look at the whole dog: face, head, body, and tail. Stress signals may include lip licking, whale eye, yawning, freezing, tight facial muscles, moving away, cowering, panting, paw lifting, or pinned ears.

Management means proactively preventing your puppy from practicing unwanted behaviours while they are still learning. Puppies do not know what is safe, appropriate, or expected yet, so we use tools and structure to help them succeed.

Management Tools

• Leashes
• Baby gates
• Kennels / crates
• Exercise pens / play pens

Rewards

• Food: high-value rewards outside, lower-value rewards inside.
• Toys and play: short play sessions can reward self-control.
• Attention: calm praise and petting can support desired behaviours.

Equipment

• Containment option such as kennel, ex-pen, or baby gate.
• Y-front harness to protect the neck and support natural movement.
• 6–8 ft leash for regular outings.
• 15–20 ft long line for recall and freedom practice.

Positive pro-active socialization means exposing puppies to new environments, people, sounds, surfaces, handling, and life experiences in a positive and safe way.

Focus Areas

• New environments and surfaces
• Handling and grooming preparation
• Happy vet visits
• Car rides and travel setup
• People, dogs, sounds, and city life

This module covers common puppy struggles and how to respond with management, redirection, and realistic expectations.

Chewing & Biting

• Provide appropriate puppy-safe chew items.
• Ensure enough sleep and rest.
• Use managed areas to prevent access to off-limit items.
• If biting happens, briefly remove attention, then redirect to a toy.

Healthy Dog Play

Look for loose body movement, play bows, role reversal, bouncy movement, small breaks, and relaxed body language.

Potty Training

• Take puppies out often — at least hourly and after activity.
• Go outside with them and reward immediately after they potty.
• Use boring potty trips before play begins.
• Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner.

These are foundational cues that help build communication and safety in everyday life.

Name Attention

Your puppy learns that their name means to look toward you and engage.

Loose Leash Walking

Walking with a loose leash must be taught. Reward your puppy near you, slow down when pulling happens, and help them learn that pulling does not create access.

Wait

Wait means “hold on, you can have access in a second.” It builds impulse control.

Recall

Recall should be highly rewarded and practiced gradually in environments where your puppy can succeed.

This module covers skills that help keep your puppy safe and make daily life easier.

Leave It

Leave it means your puppy turns away from something and reconnects with you. They do not get the item they are leaving.

Drop It

Drop it teaches your puppy to release something from their mouth, often through trading.

Kennel Training

Kennel training should build positive feelings about the kennel. It is not about letting a puppy cry until they give up.

Resource Guarding Prevention

Use management, pick your battles, trade when needed, and create positive associations with humans approaching high-value items.

Separation Concerns

Gradually build short, positive moments of alone time while your puppy is safely managed.

Reactivity is an overreaction to normal changes or additions in the environment, such as dogs, people, cars, wildlife, or movement. Prevention starts with positive socialization, management, health awareness, and realistic expectations.

Adolescence

Adolescence can happen from around 6 months to 3 years depending on the dog. During this stage, independence increases and training may backslide. Continue rewarding good choices, increase management when needed, and take steps back when necessary.

Congratulations! This final module wraps up the course and helps puppy parents reflect on what they have learned, what their puppy has improved on, and what to keep practicing as their puppy grows.