Life Skills Program

Our life skills classes teach each handler/dog team to be prepared for real life situations! Each class builds on your current skills and each level becomes more challenging as you and your dog progress together.

All dogs begin by taking the 6-week Life Skills Foundations Class unless they graduated from our Adolescent Foundations class.

Once you progress to the Level 1 – Back to Basics class you may purchase a package and ‘drop-in’ to any Level 1 class (YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER ONLINE or CALL US TO REGISTER for each session you wish to attend.).

As you and your dog meet certain criteria you will graduate to our second level Level 2 – Manners and More. You can train in any class that is at your dog’s level or below! This gives you the flexibility to attend multiple classes per week or spread them out just to keep up on your dog’s skills.

Our Life Skills Program Levels

Life Skills Foundations – this is a 6-week class that focuses on teaching you the basics of training your dog and building solid foundations skills like, sit, down, hand targeting, focus, etc. This class is appropriate for any dog 4 months and older. We do require an online orientation prior to attending this class. Once you register you will receive the orientation link.

Level 1 – Back to Basics – builds on your current skill level while adding the beginning steps of loose leash walking, impulse control & more.

Level 2 – Manners and More – builds on the skills you have gained in level one by adding duration to those cues. We also teach additional skills and begin fading the lures from known cues.

Level 3 – Skill Building – we continue building your skillset and teamwork by increasing the criteria of the known skills and adding new ones while also adding distance and distractions. We are also focusing on getting the behavior from our dogs without having to have treats in our hands.

Level 4 – Real World Skills – working in the real world includes lots distractions. We continue adding those along with increasing distance and duration so your dog can focus on you out in the ‘real world’. This level prepares you and your dog for the Canine Good Citizen test.

What makes this program different?

This program allows you to train on a more flexible schedule. It is for dogs over 9 months of age. No need to sign up for a traditional weekly class but YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER ONLINE or CALL US TO REGISTER for each session you wish to attend.

How does it work?

You purchase a package and then sign up for each session you want to attend. Think of a punch card program. You purchase the package and each time you come to a class that is one credit (or punch). Buying the package allows you to train when you can, at a savings off our regular class prices.

Is it right for your dog?

All dogs will benefit from this training program! Our classes take each dog from Basic Obedience skills through the Canine Good Citizen skills! The Level 3 – Skill Building is also a requirement for our Therapy Dog program.

How Do I Get Started?

You can purchase a package of your choice. Your package will contain a specific number of credits. Each class you attend uses one credit from your package. You can choose your package below or give us a call 847.235.2263 and we can help!

Bronze Package – $300 for 10 creditsSilver Package – $550 for 20 creditsGold Package – $1000 for 40 creditsPlatinum Package – $1350 for 60 credits