How do the courses work?

May 28

Which course should I start with?

All of the Hiker Pup Courses compliment and support the others, so there is no wrong place to start! But here are some things to consider when choosing the best course to start with.

Foundations

Start from the very beginning to build a solid foundation: understanding, engagement, focus

If you have a puppy under 6 months old start with Foundations

The Foundations course is probably the most helpful course for you!
If while you are working on the Foundation course you notice that your puppy is struggling during socializing and is showing a lot of fear or anxiety around other dogs, people or sounds. Or your puppy is getting more and more difficult to control because they get super excited. Then you might want to also have a look at the Reactivity Course.

Reactivity

Helping dogs with BIG FEELINGS navigate this human world. Helping people understand how to help these highly sensitive dogs.

If you have a dog with BIG FEELINGS start with the Reactivity course

Reactive
Anxious
Easily over aroused
Quick to panic
Quick to loose control

From Adolescent outlaw to Bark Ranger

Surviving adolescence might mean doing all the courses at once 😂

If you have an adolescent dog

If you are struggling to control them in public start with the Reactivity.
You might find working through the Foundations might help reconnect you or help with some of their normal over enthusiasm, especially if you have not done much training with them
Tricks and Scent work are great activities to take up with a young dog to give their minds and bodies enrichment and activity
You can work on more than one course at a time, but PACE yourself so you don’t burn out!!!
Keep it to the 3’s: I never work on more than 3 things at a time, each training session I don’t work more than 3 exercises, more than that our brains fatigue and motivation can suffer. So if working more than one course pick 1 exercise from each rather than doing 3 complete lessons that can have multiple exercises each.

Training needs to be enjoyable for you both!

If you are no having any fun, you are likely not going to stick with it. So it’s ok to start with whatever interests you the most!

What motivates you???

Training needs to be reinforcing and enjoyable for both you and the dog, so perhaps you are overwhelmed by the idea of working on reactivity, that’s ok, pick the course that YOU are the most interested in and get started there!
Have a puppy but are more interested in starting with tricks to build your relationship, cool! Great idea.
Have an anxious dog that is struggling when you try to provide basic care? Maybe you want to start with Cooperative Care.

There is no WRONG place to start! Every course will complement the others. Every course is self paced and starts you at the basic beginning level!

That being said, the Group Zooms will start with live training classes for Reactivity & Foundations as those are always the most popular.

How do the course work