Course curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome to Smells Like Teen Spirit!

    • How This Course Works

    • A Message from Your Instructors

    • Join the Facebook Group!

    • Podcasts, Books, and More!
  • 02

    Training Basics

    • Marker Training Basics Overview

    • Marker Training Basics FAQs

    • Different Types of Markers & Rewards

    • Marker Mechanics

    • Capturing, Shaping, Luring

    • Adding a Cue
  • 03

    Class Orientation

    • Adolescence - What is Going On?

    • Adolescence - What Can We Do About It?

    • Thresholds and Triggers

    • Training with Your Adolescent Pup

    • Pre-Class Review

    • Overview of Class Exercises
  • 04

    Week 1

    • Welcome to Week 1!

    • Exiting From The Car Safely

    • Offered Reorientation After Changing Environments

    • Defining “Calm”

    • Offered Focus: Give Me a Break
  • 05

    Week 2

    • Welcome to Week 2!

    • Calm: Really Real Relaxation Protocol

    • Offered Focus: 10 Treats Game

    • Offered Focus: Give Me a Break

    • Redirection: Whiplash Turn

    • Redirection: Find It!

    • On/Off Switches
  • 06

    Week 3

    • Welcome to Week 3!

    • Offered Focus: 10 Treats

    • On/Off Switch: Settle and Movement

    • Redirection: Pattern Games

    • Calm: Really Real Relaxation
  • 07

    Week 4

    • Welcome to Week 4!

    • Offered Focus: Engage/Disengage

    • Offered Focus: Give Me a Break

    • Redirection: Super Bowls Pattern Game

    • On/Off Switch: Settle and Play

    • Calm: Protocol for Relaxation
  • 08

    Week 5

    • Welcome to Week 5!

    • Offered Focus: Give Me a Break and Whiplash Turns

    • Redirection: 1,2,3, Treat Pattern Game

    • On/Off Switch: Settle and Play

    • Calm: Protocol for Relaxation
  • 09

    Week 6

    • Welcome to Week 6!

    • Offered Focus: 1,2,3 Treat

    • Redirection: Backtracking Game

    • On/Off Switch: Predation Substitution

    • Calm: Start Button Behaviors
  • 10

    Class Wrap Up!

    • Class Is Over, But The Adventure Is Not!

    • Additional Resources

    • We LOVE Great Reviews

Your Class Instructor

Sarah has been an animal lover since childhood - she was one of those children always dragging animals home asking “can we keep it?”. Her specific interest in training and behavior started when she co-founded A Soft Place to Land in 2010, a rescue helping breeding dogs from commercial breeding facilities. The special attention these dogs needed prompted Sarah to learn as much as she could about positive reinforcement practices in training. As ASPTL became known as a rescue that would take less-than-easily adoptable dogs with either medical or behavioral needs, Sarah fostered dogs of all shapes, sizes, and behavioral challenges. Sarah is a graduate and Certified Training Partner of the Karen Pryor Academy and a Puppy Start Right Instructor.

Sarah Stiles KPA-CTP

Associate Trainer

FAQ

  • How old does my dog need to be to take this class?

    There is no age limit, but the class is geared towards adolescence, which generally occurs between 6 months and 2 years. For that reason, we say that this class is ideal for dogs 6 months of age and up, but if you have a younger pup or older dog, go for it!

  • How long will I have access to the course?

    You'll have access to the course for one year from your enrollment date.

  • What if I have questions as I'm working through the course?

    We have a private Facebook group just for students of our online classes. You can post videos and ask questions there!

  • How long does it take to get through the course?

    It takes a minimum of 6 weeks, as new content is released to you every 7 days. Many of our students take more than one calendar week on certain course weeks of content. It's up to you how fast you and your dog move through the material!