Why breed-specific puppy classes matter
Taking a busy Gundog breed puppy to generic puppy classes can feel pretty soul destroying when you look around at the other calm, attentive puppies and wonder why yours feels like such hard work!
I know because this was my experience of puppy classes many years ago with Lottie, my working bred Labrador!
This is why DogScentric puppy classes are designed specifically for Gundog breeds in pet homes, so you’re not spending six weeks comparing your busy Spaniel to a laid back Bulldog.
Our Gundog breeds simply have different genetics, different instincts, different needs, and different struggles.
They are impulsive, easily overstimulated, constantly switched on, and often struggle to be still or slow.
They need training that understands that.
As their human, you need to be around other people who understand that too.
Our Gundog breeds have been bred for generations to hunt, retrieve, and work with high drive and intensity. They have been bred for persistence and determination…to keep going, no matter what.
Whilst these traits make them excellent working dogs, as pet dogs in a home they can lead to struggles with…
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impulsivity and self-control
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regulating emotions and arousal levels
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easily becoming overstimulated
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low frustration tolerance and impatience
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switching off and relaxing
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walking slowly while restrained on a lead
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staying connected and listening outside
DogScentric Puppy Classes follow a similar framework to the Pet Gundog Life Skills course which teaches you how to get the important foundations started, but with an emphasis on the skills they typically struggle with due to the nature of their breeding.
Classes are outdoors so you are working on building connection and skills in the real-life environments they find most challenging.
What's included in the course
Online Learning Library with 6 months access
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Over 60 step-by-step video tutorials plus written guides
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A reminder of all the training activities we’ll cover plus many more!
Six small-group classes
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Limited to 5 puppies for more personalised attention and coaching
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Learning with like-minded owners with high-energy puppies
Private WhatsApp group
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Ask questions anytime
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Share training videos for personalised coaching and feedback
What you'll learn together
Week 1
Creating
calmness
Access to the Online Learning Library a week before your first class will allow you to start building some calmness indoors and out and prepare you both for classes.
Week 2
Building the habit
of engagement
Your first class will be spent getting to know your puppy and what they love, and how to start building the habit of engagement anywhere you go.
Week 3
Gundog
games
The drive to hunt and retrieve is genetic, not trained. You’ll learn some simple activities to include in your walks to channel that drive productively.
Week 4
Recall
foundations
You’ll learn the dos and don’ts of recall training and get started with a personalised recall training strategy that will be the most effective for YOUR puppy.
Week 5
Lead walking
foundations
You’ll get a better understanding of why this can be the hardest skill for our Gundog breeds to master and how to start building the layers of close connected lead walking.
Week 6
Impulse control
foundations
Impulse control is included throughout, but this week you’ll learn how to start building impulse control around greetings, possessions, and things they want to access but can’t.
Week 7
Distractions
management
Running over to dogs and chasing wildlife is a common struggle. We'll focus on teaching an alternative response and progress lead walking and recall around distractions.
Upcoming classes
Starts Jun 27
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