Essential Life Skills and Early Foundation Behaviours

Our Essential Life Skills and Early Foundation Behaviours module is designed for puppies and newly rehomed dogs, giving them the strongest start in life. Across 5–6 hours of video lessons and practical guidance, we focus on teaching both you and your dog how to communicate clearly and build the skills needed for everyday life.

(Please note that content of this course is also included in Ultimate Puppy Course.)

What’s included:

• Core training & communication: introducing markers, cue seeking, recall, sit/stand/down, lead work, hand target
• Everyday manners: food manners, polite greetings, managing jumping up, visitors at home
• Handling & care: preparing for the vet, grooming and equipment, safe lifting and handling
• Confidence & coping tools: safety position, early separation, doorways & gateways, traffic light hand
• Enrichment & engagement: toy play, fun recall games, play with purpose
• First experiences: early walks, safe socialisation, building resilience

This module goes beyond the basics – it’s about creating a clear communication process, developing confidence, and setting you both up for long-term success together.

Course Content

Expand All

MODULE 1 - Introduction

Introduction 1 Topic Sample Module

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/1 Steps

Introduction

MODULE 4

4.1 Learning Theory 6 Topics

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/6 Steps

4.1.1 Learning Theory

4.1.2 Communication

4.1.3 Introducing a Marker

4.1.5 Starting and Ending your Session

4.1.6 Taking Treats Gently (teaching your dog to use its tongue)

4.1.7 More on Food Manners

4.2 Daily Training 17 Topics

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/17 Steps

4.2.1 Daily Training Introduction

4.2.2 Kitchen Manners

4.2.3 Early Formal Handling

4.2.4 Handling Exercises

4.2.5 Picking Up Puppy

4.2.6 Collar Handling

4.2.6.1 Advanced Collar Grabs

4.2.7 Introducing Equipment

4.2.8 Early Work on Separation

4.2.8.1 Jumping Up Introduction

4.2.8.2 Doorways and Gateways

4.2.8.3.1 Handling Visitors – doorbell means crate time

4.2.8.3.2 Visitors to the Home Discussion

4.2.8.3.3 Visitors in the Home

4.2.8.4 Further Tips for Jumping Up

4.2.8.5 Settle Training

4.2.9 Summary of Daily Training

4.3 The Important Foundation Behaviours 26 Topics

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/26 Steps

4.3.1 The Training Process Introduction

4.3.2.1 Cue Seeking

4.3.2.2 Cue Seeking Stage 1

4.3.2.3 Cue Seeking Stage 2

4.3.2.4 Cue Seeking Stage 3

4.3.2.5 Cue Seeking Stage 4

4.3.2.6 Cue Seeking Stage 5

4.3.2.7 Cue Seeking Stage 6

4.3.2.8 Cue Seeking Stage 7

4.3.3.1 Recall Introduction

4.3.3.2 Recall Stage 1

4.3.3.3 Recall Stage 2

4.3.3.4 Recall Stage 3

4.3.3.5.1 Recall Games Using Run Cue

4.3.3.6 Recall and Cue Seeking

4.3.4 Hand Target

4.3.5 Sit, Stand, Down

4.3.5.1 The Release Cue

4.3.6.1 Safety Position

4.3.6.2 Safety Position Extras

1 of 2

4.4 Play 4 Topics

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/4 Steps

4.4.1 Play

4.4.2 Meeting Dogs and People Introduction

4.4.3 Meeting People Outdoors

4.4.4 Meeting Dogs

4.5 Early Walks 1 Topic

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/1 Steps

4.5 First Walks

MODULE 5

5.0 Thank you and more 1 Topic

Expand

Module Content

0% Complete 0/1 Steps

5.1 Thank you