Real-life skills,
not tricks.
Canine Life And Social Skills gives dog owners — regardless of skill level — a roadmap to develop real-life skills using reward-based methods. Three levels, 16 classes, one goal: a dog who is a welcome part of your life and society.
Three Levels
A roadmap that grows with you and your dog.
BA
Foundations Levels A — E
Where every team starts. Orientation covers learning theory — how dogs actually learn — before any skills work begins.
Foundations Levels A — E
Where every team starts. Orientation covers learning theory — how dogs actually learn — before any skills work begins.
- Attention and name response
- Loose leash walking
- Come when called
- Sit, Down, Stand
- Impulse control (Leave It)
- Stay with distractions
MA
Advanced Levels F — I
Your dog responds regardless of context — crowds, other dogs, your body position. Skills become reliable, not just known.
Advanced Levels F — I
Your dog responds regardless of context — crowds, other dogs, your body position. Skills become reliable, not just known.
- Proofing in any body position
- Wait, Settle, Go To Place
- Heeling progression
- Off-leash transitions
- Complex environments
- Reliability under pressure
PhD
Specialist Levels J — O
Beyond obedience — specialized real-life skills that make your dog a genuinely welcome part of any situation.
Specialist Levels J — O
Beyond obedience — specialized real-life skills that make your dog a genuinely welcome part of any situation.
- Manners (no jumping, quiet)
- Handling and grooming
- Play as motivation
- Tricks and games
- Targeting
- Go To Place (advanced proofing)
7-Week Curriculum
Structured progression, not random practice.
Orientation
No dogs. Learn how your dog learns — operant and classical conditioning, clicker mechanics, rate of reinforcement. The science before the practice.
Attention
Look At Me, Name Game, Hand Target, Collar Grab, Go To Your Mat. Building the foundation — your dog learns that paying attention to you is the most rewarding thing in the room.
Impulse Control
It's Yer Choice, Reinforcement Zone positioning, Sit and Down. Your dog learns to make good decisions — waiting is more rewarding than grabbing.
Integration
Review and combine all previous skills. Reinforcement Zone refinement, Come and Sit Politely. Skills start chaining together into real behavior.
Social Skills
Wait at the Door, Meet and Greet protocols. Systematic progression through distance and physical contact — your dog learns to be polite with people.
Duration & Distraction
Alternating duration and distraction variables. Wait for Food Bowl. Skills get tested in increasingly real-world conditions.
Mock Evaluation
Full run-through identifying areas that need continued work before formal testing. You know exactly where you stand — no surprises.
Learning Through Play
30+ games that make training fun for both ends of the leash.
Every class includes interactive games that build skills while keeping dogs and handlers engaged. Training shouldn't feel like homework.
BA Level — Foundation Games
- "Chase Me" Recalls — handler runs away, dog chases. Builds recall drive through play, not commands.
- Hide and Seek Recalls — handler hides, dog finds them. Recall becomes a game the dog wants to win.
- Voluntary Attention Game — reward every time the dog checks in without being asked. Teaches that paying attention is always worth it.
- Pass the Puppy — dogs practice being handled by different people. Builds comfort with strangers.
- Water and Spoon Game — handler walks with spoon, must keep dog at side. Teaches handler focus and timing.
- Hula Hoop Stays — dogs stay inside a hoop while handlers move around. Visual boundary makes the concept concrete.
MA Level — Advanced Games
- Simon Says — behaviors called out rapidly with speed competition. Tests fluency and handler timing.
- See the USA — handlers plan "trips" through marked training areas using various behaviors at each stop.
- Olympic Symbol Game — five stations, each requiring a different skill. Tests variety and transitions.
- Tic Tac Toe — teams compete using behaviors to claim squares. Strategy meets training.
- Stadium Wave — sequential sits and downs across the class. Tests timing and group coordination.
- Canine Golf — minimize repeated cues. Fewer "strokes" to get the behavior means better fluency.
PhD Level — Specialist Games
- NASCAR — fast-paced course with multiple behavior changes at speed. Tests reliability under excitement.
- Grocery Bag Relay — carry groceries while managing your dog. Real-life skill in game form.
- Sharks in the Water — dogs must stay on designated "safe" platforms while distractions move around them.
- Table Manners — dog settles while handler eats a meal. The ultimate real-life test.
- Leave It Hockey — high-value items on the floor, dogs must ignore them during play. Impulse control under extreme temptation.
- Spoon and Egg Relay — handler precision while maintaining dog position. Coordination at its peak.
Evaluation
You'll know exactly when you've earned it.
Evaluations happen approximately every 6 weeks. At the end of each session, your team demonstrates proficiency in that level's skills. A brief evaluation determines whether you advance — no ambiguity, no guessing.
Dogs must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency to progress. Teams can test into higher levels if they have prior training experience. The program culminates in formal BA, MA, or PhD certification.
This isn't a pass/fail exam. It's a checkpoint that shows you and your dog exactly where you are — and what to work on next.
Reward-based methods minimize the use of punishment and are fun for both owner and dog.
As a result of training, there is a decrease in behavior issues since dogs have more acceptable outlets for their energy. C.L.A.S.S offers a roadmap for pet owners and companions to continue training far beyond basic skills — and to maintain those skills.
APDT — Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Ready to earn your dog's degree?
Start with an assessment. We'll find the right level for your team and build a plan from there.