A 6-week online course for dogs who need to get on in the real world

Investment: NZ$180 | 6-week course

Format: Online | Video lessons, written exercises, video submission, Zoom add-on ($20/session)

What this course is about

There is a gap that a lot of dogs fall into. Puppy class is done. They know the basics. But somewhere between basic training and a dog who is genuinely easy to live with, things have gone sideways.

Life Skills is for those dogs. The adolescent dog who has forgotten everything they knew. The dog who is fine at home but a nightmare on a walk. The dog who cannot hold it together when anything interesting happens. The dog who is pulling, jumping, ignoring, reacting, or generally making life harder than you were expecting.

This is practical, real-world training. Not competition obedience, not tricks for their own sake, but the skills your dog needs to be a good companion in everyday life.

What we introduce across the 6 weeks (note some dogs will take longer for full behaviour change)

• Recall: building a recall that works when it matters, not just in the kitchen

• Lead manners: walking without pulling, on any lead, in any environment

• Relaxing

• Greeting people and other dogs calmly

• Impulse control: not launching at food, not bolting through doors, not stealing things

• Settling at home and in public spaces

• The adolescent brain: why everything got harder and how to work through it

• Building focus in distracting environments

• Managing the common life skills challenges: bins, dropped food, other dogs

• A few fun tricks

How the course works

Each week new video content is released covering that week's topic, with clear written exercises and step-by-step game instructions. The content is practical and demonstration-heavy: you will see the skills being trained, not just described.

You can submit short video of your dog at any point and I will give you written feedback on what I see. Zoom calls are available as an add-on at $20 per session if you need more direct support.

You keep access to all the material after the course ends. Life skills work is often ongoing, and the ability to revisit the content is useful.

What age is this course for?

Life Skills works best for dogs who are past the puppy stage: from around 5-6 months upward, with no upper age limit. Older dogs absolutely can and do change. The approach is the same regardless of age; it may just take a little longer with a dog who has had years of practising the wrong thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My dog is 9 months old and has basically forgotten everything from puppy class. Is this normal?

A: Completely normal. Adolescence hits hard and the brain changes significantly during this period. The skills are not gone; they are just harder to access right now. This course is designed with exactly that in mind.

Q: My dog pulls really badly on the lead. Is that something this course addresses?

A: Yes. Lead manners is a focus of this course, with a practical, step-by-step approach to building a dog who walks with you rather than against you. It takes consistency, but it is very workable with the right approach.

Q: My dog is reactive to other dogs. Will Life Skills help with that?

A: Life Skills includes work on greeting and focus around other dogs, which helps with mild to moderate reactivity. If your dog is significantly reactive or has shown aggression, the Confidence and Calmness course may be a better fit, or one-on-one sessions. Send me a message if you are not sure which way to go.

Q: Is this course suitable for older dogs?

A: Yes. Older dogs can absolutely learn new skills, and the approach in this course works well for any age. The main difference with older dogs is that habits are more ingrained, so progress may be a little slower. It is still worth doing.

Q: Do I need to have done any previous training?

A: No. The course assumes basic familiarity with your dog but no specific training background. If you have done some training before, that is helpful but not required.

Q: How much time do I need each week?

A: Short, frequent sessions work best. Five to ten minutes two or three times a day is more effective than one long session a week. Watching the weekly video content takes around 15-20 minutes. The training itself fits into walks and daily life rather than requiring separate dedicated sessions.

Q: Can this course run at the same time as my dog attending local group classes?

A: Yes, as long as the local classes are also positive and force-free. If the approaches are compatible, combining in-person and online training can work really well.