Thursday 18th September

Service Description

Intermediate Two – Enhancing Distance Control & Reliability Welcome to the fourth stage of our training programme! This section focuses on increasing distance control, ensuring your dog responds to commands even when at a distance. Sometimes, stopping your dog is more effective than recalling them—this course introduces Down at a Distance, a vital skill for off-lead reliability. By the end of this course, you will understand how to increase your dog's steadiness in stay exercises, maintain focus around distractions, and continue refining verbal command responses. This phase sets the groundwork for even more advanced training in future levels. What Your Dog Will Learn: 🐾 Down at a Distance – an essential recall backup 🐾 Strengthening Sit & Down Stays with distance and duration 🐾 Heelwork improvement through better body language & footwork 🐾 Retrieve exercises to build focus and cooperation 🐾 Meet & Greet – teaching polite social manners 🐾 Vet & Grooming Check – helping dogs stay calm for handling 🐾 Weaving around other dogs – reinforcing impulse control 🐾 Dog Swap – adapting to different handlers Week-by-Week Breakdown: Week 1 – Foundations & Focus 🔹 Goal setting & introductions 🔹 Calming stroking 🔹 Warm-up & close-control exercises 🔹 Footwork/body language for improved heelwork 🔹 Stay practice Week 2 – Building Distance & Control 🔹 Distance control 🔹 Down on the move 🔹 Retrieve 🔹 Meet & Greet manners 🔹 Vet & grooming examination 🔹 Strengthening stays Week 3 – Strengthening Commands 🔹 Retrieve 🔹 Down at a Distance 🔹 Formal recall Week 4 – Adding Complexity 🔹 Down on command from a sit (at 2 paces) 🔹 Weaving around other dogs 🔹 Dog swap – adapting to different handlers 🔹 Stay practice Week 5 – Refining & Preparing for Testing 🔹 Recap of all exercises (including Retrieve) 🔹 Focus on weaker exercises (varies by group)🔹 Formal recall🔹 Test run-through Week 6 – Graduation! 🔹 Final test 🔹 Awarding of Certificates Raising the Bar This course builds the skills necessary for off-lead reliability and greater control at a distance. With continued practice, your dog will gain confidence, steadiness, and responsiveness, setting you up for future training success. Let’s take the next step in developing a well-trained companion!