Essential Foundations

For young puppies and adolescent dogs who need the skills to face lifestyle changes with confidence

Basic Life Skills & Socialization

Whether you have a playful pup or a seasoned dog, life brings new adventures—and we’re here to help make transitions smooth and joyful for both of you. Our Essential Foundations program is designed for puppies and under-socialized dogs (10 weeks and older), using gentle, no-force methods inspired by the A.K.C. STAR Puppy program. Through fun, playful games, your dog will build confidence and adapt to life’s changes with ease.

Puppies playing tug - Positive, force-free puppy training in North Georgia.

Our programs gently introduce your dog to new sights, sounds, and experiences in a fun, positive way. Some Essential Foundations programs also offer socialization with new people and animals, along with cooperative care and gentle handling—just like at the vet or grooming salon.

If your dog missed these early experiences, don’t worry! Our gentle methods will help them catch up and thrive, supporting both you and your dog every step of the way.

Linda with puppy helping with socialization, manners, and building confidence

BASIC Essential Foundations Program

The BASIC Essential Foundations Program is designed for pet owners on a budget who wish to handle most of the dog training themselves, but require the guidance and support of a trainer for a few lessons to kick-start their journey.

This program is typically completed in 3 lessons and includes:

Saving you time by coming directly to you
Private 1-1 training sessions working in your home for faster results
One lesson per week
Training for up to two behaviors the owner wants to focus on
Handouts to help you further train on your own

But it doesn’t stop there!

You’ll also enjoy 3 months of friendly phone or email support after the program ends. If you have any questions or run into anything related to what we covered, we’re here and happy to help!

Zassie - Force-free leash and recall training for dogs in North Georgia—kind, effective solutions.

PREMIER Essential Foundations Program

With our results-based PREMIER Essential Foundations Program, we do more of the training with your dog, and then help you learn how to use the cues your dog has learned from us. This way, your dog enjoys a well-rounded education and quicker progress, while you both have fun along the way.

This program is typically completed in 7 lessons and includes:

Saving you time by coming directly to you
Private 1-1 training sessions with you and your dog for faster results
Up to two lessons per week
Up to four behaviors the owner wants to focus on
Handouts to help you understand dog body language and your dog’s specific genetics for better dog management

But it doesn’t stop there!

Saturday appointments are open for you, so you have more scheduling options to start training as soon as possible!
You’ll also enjoy 6 months of friendly phone or email support after the program ends. If you have any questions or run into anything related to what we covered, we’re here and happy to help!

Teach polite manners, focus, and real-life skills across North Georgia. - Crate training

ELITE Essential Foundations Program

The ELITE Essential Foundations Program is a wonderful choice for pet owners who want a caring trainer to spend extra one-on-one time with their dog and help jump-start the training process and achieve faster results. We offer simple, easy-to-follow guidance and warm, friendly support so you can keep working with your dog confidently, even after the lessons are finished. Our results-based program means we do most of the work for you, so your dog enjoys more complete training in less time! Afterward, we’ll happily show you how to use all the new cues your dog has learned, making the whole experience fun, well-rounded, and quick-moving for both you and your furry friend.

This program is typically completed in 12 lessons and includes:

Saving you time by coming directly to you
Private 1-1 training sessions with you and your dog for faster results
Up to two Accelerate Training sessions, where the trainer will work 1:1 with your dog to escalate their progress
Up to three lessons per week
Up to six behaviors the owner wants to focus on, or fewer behaviors, but some with off-leash reliability
Handouts to help you understand dog body language and your dog’s specific genetics for better dog management
Up to (2) video recordings of you training with your dog (if requested)

But it doesn’t stop there!

Saturday and Sunday appointments are open just for you, so you can have more scheduling options to start training as soon as possible!
For older dogs, lessons can be expanded to off-site locations so we can practice your dog’s training in places you and your dog may visit in the future.
You’ll also enjoy 12 months of friendly phone or email support after the program ends. If you have any questions or run into anything related to what we covered, we’re here and happy to help!

Looking for a Different Program?

Goldendoodle getting force-free, family-friendly coaching where your dog’s behavior really happens.

Polite Manners

Force-free behavior support for anxious, fearful, and stressed dogs in North Georgia.

Reactive To Relaxed

Let us help stop the overwhelming behavior issues you feel powerless to resolve on your own!

Call us: 678-809-DOGS (3647)

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Dog Training and Dog Behavior Consultations offered in Pickens, Gilmer, and Cherokee Counties in Georgia, including the cities of Blaine, Hinton, Jasper, Marble Hill, Nelson, Tate, Talking Rock, Ellijay, Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska, and Woodstock