We only use the most up-to-date modern, positive, reward-based training methods, as proven scientifically. 

All of our training is force-free using motivators that the puppies find reinforcing.  Food is the most popular motivator.  We use tasty treats cut into tiny pea-sized pieces to reward the puppies for their efforts with their training. 

When we have established the habits with the skills that we are teaching, we start to fade the food out of the equation.

No.  In the modern science-based world of dog training, it is important we firmly dismiss the dominance theory.  Many studies have shown that dogs cannot be dominant with humans – they can only be dominant with their own species!  They simply don’t have it in them to try to be dominant with any other species other than their own! 

Phrases such as ‘pack leader’ or ‘alpha’ are part of the outdated and disproven dominance theory and should be ignored.  Many people still use these old-fashioned outdated training techniques and simply don’t know any better.  Thesedays, we teach that you shouldn’t leave a dog to cry or become anxious.  You don’t have to eat before your dog or walk through doorways in front of your dog.  You are absolutely fine having your dog on your furniture or sleeping on your bed if that is your preference.  And there is NEVER any circumstance where it is ok to punish or reprimand your dog.

A dog should be viewed as a member of the family.  We do not need to use conflict methods to train a dog at all – training should be implemented in a way that teaches your dog boundaries without needing to use force or punishment.

If you want your puppy to be super motivated and keen to learn, they need paying for their efforts!  Just as us humans tend to have more incentive for a higher wage, puppies respond accordingly too.  Therefore, we do recommend using food rewards during the early stages of your training.  However, when your puppy has established the habits with the skills that we are teaching, we start to fade the food out of the equation.

And don’t worry, we don’t give tons of big biscuits!  We recommend using treats that are pea-sized – just a tiny taster of a reward.  For some training exercises you can even use their dried food portion as training rewards.

We recommend avoiding the cereal-based dog treats such as Wagg, Wainwrights, Pedigree, Bakers etc and rather use treats with better ingredients (preferably grain-free treats) so that your pup is getting a better quality diet with less of the ‘junk food’ factor.

All are welcome providing everyone can pay attention during the classes. 

Often, having more than one set of ears attending can mean you have better consistency with your training going forwards. 

However if for any reason some people in the household cannot attend, you have access to our online puppy training hub via the website where you can watch all of our video demos and read our detailed step-by-step training notes at your leisure.

Yes, absolutely.

We love watching the young children getting involved with the training!

Sometimes it can be difficult trying to manage a puppy and a young child at the same time, especially if both are distracting each other.  Having two adults attend can help to manage things for some families. 

If children are attending and watching videos/playing games on electronic devices, please ensure that the volume is off during the class.  Children should remain seated during the sessions if they are not actively helping during the practical training exercises.  No climbing on furniture or running around as this can scare the other puppies.

Everyone should be getting involved! 

If you have very young children who can’t train with consistency, it is best they take a back seat, but everyone else should be actively training the puppy.  Doing so will build the all-important bond and relationship between the puppy and each individual family member.

Puppies can enrol on our classes providing they have had their first vaccination (which generally is given around 8 weeks of age).

Although puppies are not safe to go out on the ground in public until they have completed their full course of vaccinations, you can carry your puppy in/out of training class so that they don't come into contact with the ground outside.  Puppies don't have any physical contact with each other during these early classes (the emphasis is on teaching your puppy to value you in the group environment!) so you don't need to worry about them catching anything from each other.  We also disinfect each puppy station prior to your arrival to class with puppy safe disinfectant.  And don't worry; we expect the occasional toileting accident!

And remember - week one of puppy class is owners only so your pup gets an extra week to snooze at home prior to attending from week two of the course.

We recommend letting your puppy have a week to settle in to their new home prior to starting classes.

The simple answer; as early as possible!

Have a read here to find out why.

We offer 1:1 training to help get your puppy on the right path as early as possible. 

We even offer a 2-hour Puppy Preparation Session which you can book before your puppy even arrives home so that you have all the important information in advance, setting you up for successful crate training, the first nights with pup and early toilet training etc.

Pop us an e-mail to info@confident-canines.co.uk if you would like to book in for some 1:1 training or for the Puppy Preparation Session.

In short; no.  The vast percentage of a socialisation plan for a puppy should focus on indirect world exposure with only around 5% direct interactions with other dogs/people etc.

If you do too much greeting of other dogs and people, your puppy will become over-socialised and will start to become very excitable on the lead, dragging you to every dog/person they see.

The main focus with modern puppy training classes is to teach your puppy to ignore the distractions of other dogs/people/noises etc when out with their human and to only interact with interesting dogs/people when it is suitable to do so.

Therefore, during our classes we work on building the bond between puppy and owner to help their training excel and to help the puppy develop into a calm, confident, attentive adult dog that they can enjoy taking out and about as they grow and develop.

We do cover the topic of socialisation during our puppy classes so that you know what you should and shouldn't be doing out in the real world to correctly socialise your puppy and help them develop into a well-rounded confident adult dog.

When puppies are over 20 weeks, they start to move into their adolescent stage of development.  As such, their training needs begin to differ from those suited to younger puppies. 

The Puppy Foundation Course focuses on the developmental needs of puppies aged between 10 and 20 weeks and information is tailored to best assist owners during these early months. 

We do run Life Skills classes which are suitable for puppies over 20 weeks.

If your puppy is over 20 weeks for the start date of the upcoming puppy courses, we do run progressive Life Skills classes which cater for all ages and abilities of dog, building on foundation level skills and increasing in difficulty as we go.  Great for progressing skills such as lead walking, appropriate behaviour around other dogs and people, as well as all of the other basic obedience type behaviours such as leave, stay, drop and much more.  These classes run in blocks of six sessions.

For dogs that haven’t attended any group classes before, we do insist on having a 1:1 session first so that we can ensure you have the important foundation skills in place ready to hit the ground running when you do start classes.

For all group classes, dogs must be comfortable training in a group environment.  If your dog is reactive (barks at other dogs or people) or very excitable and will struggle to concentrate on you, group classes are not suitable for them.

The first session of the course is owners only which gives us chance to discuss all things puppy related! 

During this session we also talk about what you will need to bring to class each week so that you are prepared in advance. 

You will also receive a list of items to bring via e-mail after your first session.

We only accept a maximum of six puppies on each course so unfortunately cannot transfer your missed week, however you do have access to the online puppy training hub so you can view the material for the week that you have missed and will be fully up to speed ready for the next session!

Going for a ‘little and often’ approach with training is by far the best way to educate your puppy.

Puppies have a short attention span and get tired easily.

Aiming for four or five short training sessions each day (or during each evening) will really help your puppy to progress.

If you get a bit confused during classes, tell us!  We are there to help make sure you understand every topic we cover during the course and will happily answer other questions too where possible.

Some topics can be answered easily (such as generic advice on toilet training for example).  If you are having a problem with something more specific to your individual puppy, we can certainly look at booking you in for a 1:1 training session to give us the opportunity to address your issues in detail.

For the duration of our Puppy Foundation Course everyone has access to our online puppy training hub via our website which contains video demos of every practical exercise covered during the course as well as a full set of detailed step-by-step training notes.  You can view this material whenever you like in between classes to help get you back on track.

If you get a bit stuck in between classes, just pop onto the website area and have a watch of the video demos to help you get back on track.  You can view the training material whenever you like.

If you need help with a problem that we don’t cover during the course, we offer 1:1 training sessions to address issues specific to your puppy in detail.  Just pop us an e-mail or give us a call and we can get you booked in!

Yes, absolutely!  In fact, there are a few options depending on which skills you are wanting to focus on.

We run our progressive Life Skills classes which cater for all ages and abilities of dog, building on foundation level skills and increasing in difficulty as we go.  Great for progressing skills such as lead walking, appropriate behaviour around other dogs and people, as well as all of the other basic obedience type behaviours such as leave, stay, drop and much more.  These classes run in blocks of six sessions.

We also run short courses to focus on specific training topics such as recall development and lead walking skills.

Yes!

We run our progressive Life Skills classes which cater for all ages and abilities of dog, building on foundation level skills and increasing in difficulty as we go.  Great for progressing skills such as lead walking, appropriate behaviour around other dogs and people, as well as all of the other basic obedience type behaviours such as leave, stay, drop and much more.  These classes run in blocks of six sessions.

We also run short courses to focus on specific training topics such as recall development and lead walking skills.

Emma is also an accredited Canine Hoopers instructor, offering workshops and weekly classes if you are a dog sports enthusiast.

In addition, we also hold fun scentwork workshops and tricks workshops which are both fantastic for building the bond with your dog and especially for having fun!

Yes, we have full business insurance covering us for public liability and professional indemnity.

Yes, absolutely. 

On the registration forms we ask people if they have any special requirements whether it be medically related/any special access requirements or any special learning requirements. 

Please do notify us beforehand so we can make sure we have catered for you appropriately. 

We want everyone to be comfortable during classes and to get the most out of the sessions.