Empowered Puppy Raising Course

Course Overview (Syllabus)

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If you haven’t already signed up for membership, consider doing so because it is a great way to stay motivated. One thing members get is access to Grisha’s ABBA Facebook group. You can post videos and ask/answer questions in a discussion with your fellow ABBA members. The group is moderated by our teaching staff to keep the conversations on track.

HOW TO USE THESE LESSONS

Read through the lessons at your own pace. Every 2-4 lessons, we will pause to give you some tasks to practice. I recommend that you read the Ahimsa Dog Training Manual with this course.

This sample agenda is listed with weekly lessons, but you can take whatever time you need:

Week 1: Philosophy

  • The perfect dog
  • Philosophy of Empowerment
  • 2-way Communication with your dog, including body language
  • Training: Autowatch
  • Training: Take treats gently
  • Training: potty outside

Week 2: Social Skills

  • People
  • Dogs
  • Other species
  • Play, conflict resolution, and social consequences
  • BAT leash skills
  • Training: Touch (nose to hand)
  • Training: Name

Week 3: Needs

  • What does your puppy need?
  • How do you know?
  • How needs lead to problems
  • Frustration Tolerance
  • Food puzzles
  • Training: Targeting a Post-It or yoghurt lid
  • Training: Crate

Week 4: Cooperative Care

  • What cooperation looks like and how to get it
  • Grooming (nail file, brush)
  • Vet Care (syringe, inspection, wrap)
  • Going for a walk
  • Training: Head through harness
  • Training: Restraint
  • Training: Shake (paw)

Week 5: The Environment

  • Surfaces
  • Sounds
  • Moving objects
  • Balance & proprioception
  • Parallel play
  • Training: Stay / stop
  • Training: Targeting head into objects (For example, Elizabethan collar or cone, muzzle, cereal box)

Week 6: Problem Solving Skills

  • Reminder of where problems come from
  • Which skills help with which problems
  • Another dose of philosophy
  • Training: Bring/drop
  • Training: Food bowl
  • Training: Recall