Puppy Classes - Puppy Foundation Course

The 5 week Puppy Foundation course at Smart Dog Academy located at our venues in Tilehurst and Burghfield in Reading and Pinewood in Wokingham, is designed to set you and your puppy up for a lifetime of positive, effective communication and well-being. Led by instructors qualified with the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) and certified as Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy instructors, this class introduces the essential fundamentals of dog training. Focusing on opening lines of communication with your puppy, this class builds a strong foundation of trust and understanding. You’ll learn basic commands, techniques to prevent unwanted behaviours, and insights into reading your puppy’s body language. Proper socialisation is also covered, ensuring your puppy learns to interact confidently and positively with others.

Puppy Loose Lead Walking
Puppy Hand Touch
Puppy giving eye contact

Why sign up to this course?

• Qualified Instruction: Receive guidance from instructors certified by the IMDT and as Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy trainers, ensuring professional and compassionate support.

• Build a Strong Foundation: Establish a clear and positive line of communication with your puppy.

• Master Basic Commands: Teach commands like sit, stay, and come, giving your puppy a strong behavioural foundation.

• Prevent Unwanted Behaviours: Learn techniques to discourage behaviours such as jumping, biting, and chewing.

• Understand Body Language: Gain skills to interpret your puppy’s body language, helping you understand their needs and emotions.

• Proper Socialisation: Introduce your puppy to other dogs and people safely, building confidence in various environments.

• Positive, Reward-Based Training: Learn effective training that reinforces desired behaviours through praise and rewards, creating a happy, willing learner.

Common Questions:

• Who is this class suitable for? 

This class is ideal for puppies under six months old. It’s designed for those new to training and focuses on laying the groundwork for positive behaviour.

• Do I need any previous skills or experience?

No prior experience is needed! This class is open to all puppy owners looking to start on the right foot with effective, reward-based techniques.

• Can I bring my whole family, or is it just one handler per dog?

We encourage families to join and learn together, as this strengthens consistency in training at home. However, please let us know in advance if additional family members will be attending.

•Do you offer one-to-one sessions for this class?

Yes, we do! If you’d prefer personalised training, our one-to-one sessions can be tailored specifically to you and your puppy’s needs.