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Life Skills & Manners for Everyday Adventures
Puppies, Adolescent Dogs, Rescue/Adopted
Life Skills & Manners Program
Our Life Skills & Manners program helps your dog develop the confidence and cooperation needed to be a great companion—at home and on the go. Whether it’s a peaceful walk, a weekend hike, or a trip with family, we’ll help you and your dog enjoy more stress-free adventures together.
Essential Skills for a Well-Mannered Dog Include:
Relax & Settle – Teach your dog to calmly rest on a mat, at your feet, or in a crate—whether at home, in a café, visiting friends, or at the vet.
Loose Leash Walking – Help your dog walk politely by your side, follow your lead, and stay engaged, even around distractions.
Reliable Recall – Go beyond “come when called” by teaching your dog to stay close, check in with you, and respond reliably off-leash.
Polite Greetings – Preventing jumping and overexcitement when meeting people.
Impulse Control ("Wait" & "Stay") – Helping your dog pause before moving forward.
Boundary Awareness ("Back Up") – Teaching your dog to move away when needed.
Handling & Grooming Cooperation – Making vet visits, nail trims, and care easier.
Leave It & Drop It – Preventing unwanted grabbing and safely releasing items.
Listening Amid Distractions – Strengthening focus even when the world is exciting.
Many dog parents believe that if their dog just knew more commands, they would behave better. But obedience doesn’t automatically create a well-mannered dog—real behavior change comes from understanding, trust, and skill-building.
Wow!! Thor has been great at laying on his mat while I am on Zoom calls for work which lasts several hours. The stuffed Kong is working with his crate training. He loves it! ~ Janice L.
Why Obedience Alone Isn’t Enough
❌ A dog can “sit” but still jump on guests
❌ A dog can “stay” but still panic when left alone
❌ A dog can “heel” but still lunge when scared
Instead of just teaching commands, we focus on:
✔ Strengthening focus and connection so your dog listens because they trust you
✔ Teaching real-life skills that make everyday interactions easier
✔ Helping your dog develop impulse control and confidence—without relying on commands
Let’s teach your dog the skills they need to be a
calm, cooperative companion.
Our 3-Step Training Process
We don’t just teach commands—we teach your dog how to navigate the world with confidence and control.
Step 1: Build Trust & Focus
→ Teach your dog to look to you for guidance, not react impulsively
→ Create a clear communication system so your dog understands
what’s expected
→ Reinforce calmness at home and in new environments
Step 2: Develop Essential Life Skills
→ Master loose leash walking, polite greetings, and impulse control
→ Teach "leave it," "stay," "drop it," and other must-have behaviors
→ Strengthen focus so your dog can ignore distractions and respond
reliably
Step 3: Real-World Confidence & Calmness
→Practice skills in real-life situations—walks, visitors, busy
environments
→Teach your dog to stay composed under pressure
→Ensure your dog can make great choices, even without commands
By the end of this program, you’ll have a well-mannered, calm, and enjoyable companion—at home and on the go.
What our clients say
"Loved everything so far"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. "After just one session with Teresa, we already see a difference in our Aussie Doodle, Murphy! As a COVID puppy, he struggled with socialization and would bark and growl at visitors. Teresa gave us practical tools to help him feel more comfortable, and we’re confident we chose the right trainer to guide us through his progress!"
- Bill
"My life changed forever"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. "Teresa transformed our walks from stressful to enjoyable! Barnabas, a high-energy rescue, struggled with severe anxiety and overstimulation, making walks nearly impossible. In just five sessions, he went from constant meltdowns to confidently exploring new places without overwhelm. Now, we can walk anywhere with ease, enjoying the world together. Teresa’s guidance has truly been life-changing!"
-Marilyn
"Highly recommend this"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. "Teresa at Canine Academy Online was exactly what we needed! Our dog’s leash reactivity had worsened, and we wanted to understand why and help him thrive. After 8 sessions and consistent practice, we now have the tools to handle walks with confidence. My dog looks to me instead of reacting, and we both feel less anxious around triggers. Teresa’s expertise, support, and passion made this an incredibly rewarding experience!."
- Annie
Confident Dogs, Happy Trails: Build Skills for Every Adventure
Enjoy stress-free adventures with your dog—whether on the trail, in the park, or around town. Our Life Skills & Manners training helps your dog develop reliable behaviors, from loose leash walking to polite greetings, so you can explore the world together with ease and confidence.
Ways We Can Help You Succeed!⬇️
PRIVATE TRAINING
ONLINE GROUP PROGRAMS
MEMBERSHIP
where confidence and connection grow
Programs