Foundations

Foundations was designed to get you working with your dog right away.  You’ll learn how to form desirable behaviours and how to positively reinforce them, as well as effective ways to stop common unwanted behaviours.  It’s never too early, or too late, to begin training your dog.

Training sessions starting soon:

  • Weekdays: April 9 2024

  • Weekends: April 13 2024

  • Weekends: May 11 2024

  • Weekdays: May 14 2024

  • Weekends: June 8 2024

  • Weekdays: June 11 2024

I’m not sure where to start?

Whether you are starting out with a new dog or want to start a new training path with your best friend, Foundations will guide you through the key concepts that will allow you to establish any command, skill, or behaviour. The fundamentals learned will equip you to understand your dog, support good manners, and prevent negative reactions. Foundations will show you how to build trust and strengthen your relationship with your dog.

My dog is pretty good, but…

How does your on leash walk influence how perfectly your dog comes to you when called off leash? It might seem like opposite skills would counteract each other, but in fact everything is connected. Even your pup’s ability to approach dogs and people politely can depend on how well they can hold a stay. Foundations will help you connect the dots so you can get the responses and reliability you want from your dog.

Yikes - my dog just did ______!!
I think I need help!

No one wants their dog to develop undesirable behaviours yet it can be hard to know how to fix them. We may see our dogs exhibiting behaviour that we don’t want, or is getting worse, or could become an issue if it continues. By showing you the why behind your dog’s actions, Foundations will help you reset your relationship with your dog so you can get back to enjoying your time together.

What to Expect

  • introduction to foundational skills, and behaviour

  • understanding of how dogs think, learn and perceive the world around them

  • training fundamentals and key concepts

  • learn how to set up reliable commands, even amongst distractions or at a distance

  • loose leash walking

  • tips and techniques to get your dog to focus on you

  • exposure to different environments to learn how to handle different real-life situations

  • answers to your individual questions

  • skills:  loose-leash walking, sit, down, recall (come), stay, up, take-it

You’ll also receive:

  • access to additional information and resources

  • ongoing support, even after you graduate

  • video recaps of all skills taught in class on our on-line learning platform

  • one special edition Clever Canines hands-free leash

  • 10% off the purchase of a martingale collar and six-foot leash from Unleashed

  • 10% off and early registration privileges for core

Class structure and details:

  • two instructors at every class

  • 2 hour opening seminar (on-line)

  • four 1.5 hour hands-on classes

  • total of 8 hours of education, exposure, and experience in a group setting

  • outdoor classes (to deal with real-life situations); indoor classes during cold weather

  • make-up class options

    $375 + GST

What clients are saying about
Foundations at Clever Canines!

  • “I recently completed Jumpstart (Foundations) with my one-year-old rescue dog. He is much better on leash and if I continue to be consistent with what I was taught he will be perfect! I also took advantage of the day school that was offered with Jumpstart (Foundations). When he got home he was the calmest I have ever seen. I am still working hard to ensure I apply the skills I learned and I often call the office to get more advice which has helped me so much! Thanks for taking my calls Clever Canines!!!”

    ~ Sarah + Brewster

  • “We did Jumpstart (Foundations) with Mary & Bobby and I couldn’t say more amazing things. From the first class we felt like we were already connecting with our dog. Mary and Bobby took time to individually work with dogs who were having a tough time concentrating. After 4 classes we already noticed a difference in our dog. We’ll always work at the skills we’ve learned but we feel like we know what we’re doing, so we show our dog a confidence we didn’t have before. We’re thinking about doing another program through Clever Canines to go beyond the basics. Thank you so much!”

    ~ Jenna + Penny

  • “We had tried 2 other methods of training with our extremely energetic and strong willed chocolate lab with absolutely no signs of improvement. A friend told us about Clever Canines so we gave the jumpstart classes a shot. We put the time and work in and began to see results within weeks. Our lab is now 4 years old and our lab behaves better than we could have ever imagined which gives us the confidence to take her anywhere! Great company run by great people!”

    ~ Jordan+ Zoey