The best time to start training is today. Puppies are learning from the moment they come home, whether we're actively teaching them or not. Every interaction, experience, and habit is shaping how they see and respond to the world. The question isn't whether your puppy is learning—it's whether they're learning what you want them to learn. We recommend starting formal training between 8 and 12 weeks of age, as this is an ideal time to begin building strong foundations. Early training focuses on confidence, engagement, social skills, communication, and helping your puppy develop positive habits before unwanted behaviours become established. That said, it's never too late to start. Whether your puppy is 8 weeks or 8 months old, taking the first step today is always better than waiting for the "perfect" time.

Dog Days take a whole-dog approach to training. While obedience is important, our focus goes beyond teaching behaviours. We help owners build clear communication, trust, confidence, and a strong relationship with their dog. Our goal isn't just a dog that can follow cues, it's a dog that shows resilience, and able to navigate the world with confidence. Our training combines practical obedience skills with an understanding of fulfilment, emotional wellbeing, and the individual needs of each dog. We believe that behaviour is often a reflection of how a dog is feeling, not just what they have or haven't been taught. (Even poor nutrition can give our dogs lethargy, and affect focus) As dogs progress through our programs, we continue to expand their education. In our advanced levels, we introduce conditioning exercises designed to support strength, body awareness, mobility, and long-term musculoskeletal health. We are passionate about creating: • Confident dogs • Healthy dogs • Clear communication between dog and owner • Strong relationships built on trust and understanding • Practical skills that work in the real world

Yes, absolutely. Food rewards are a valuable training tool and can help dogs learn quickly, build positive associations, and stay engaged in the learning process. However, our goal is not to create a dog that will only listen when food is visible. As your dog's understanding, confidence, and reliability grow, we gradually transition from frequent food rewards to a variety of other reinforcers, including play, praise, environmental rewards, and the satisfaction that comes from understanding the task itself. We want your dog to respond because they understand the behaviour, not because you're carrying a treat pouch. Think of treats as a teaching tool—not a lifelong requirement. Our aim is to create dogs that can make good choices and respond reliably in the real world, whether you have treats on you or not.

The right program depends on your dog's age, experience, and individual needs. Puppy Foundations (8–13 weeks old) Perfect for young puppies who are just starting out. We focus on confidence building, social skills, engagement, communication, and helping you lay the foundations for a well-rounded adult dog. Level 1 Learning (14 weeks+ older) Designed for dogs ready to develop practical obedience skills and stronger communication with their owner. We focus on engagement, focus, loose lead walking, recalls, positions, impulse control, and building reliability around distractions. Level 2 Obedience For dogs who have completed Level 1 or have equivalent skills. We increase distractions, strengthen reliability, and continue developing real-world obedience and communication. Level 3 Advanced Training & Conditioning Our most advanced group program combines higher-level obedience with conditioning exercises designed to improve body awareness, strength, mobility, and long-term musculoskeletal health. Private Training Ideal for dogs needing individual support with behavioural concerns such as reactivity, anxiety, excessive barking, lead pulling, or other challenges that may be better addressed in a one-on-one environment. Still not sure where to start? Get in touch and we'd be happy to help you choose the most appropriate program for you and your dog.

Even in our small-group classes, some dogs can find a training environment with other dogs challenging. For group sessions to be productive, your dog should be able to settle from excitement within a minute or two with guidance. If this feels like it may be an ongoing struggle, we recommend starting with one or two private sessions to build foundational skills and give you practical strategies before transitioning into a class setting. In some cases, ongoing private training may be the most supportive option. High levels of over-arousal or reactivity can make group classes stressful for both you and your dog, which can limit progress. Our priority is ensuring every session is positive, productive, and genuinely beneficial.

Every dog and handler comes to training with different needs, experiences, and expectations. Factors such as your dog’s temperament and genetics, your current skill set as a handler, and what you’re hoping to achieve all influence the type and amount of training required. Our foundation programs provide strong, practical skills that set you up to begin developing your dog across all key areas. For some clients, this level is enough; others choose to progress through Level 2 or Level 3 to build higher levels of reliability, including more advanced off-lead skills. If you’re unsure which level is right for you, we recommend contacting us before enrolling so we can help set clear, realistic expectations.