Teenage and Rescue Dog Training Classes

‍

Navigating the journey of a teenage or rescue dog requires patience, understanding, and consistent guidance. Our Teenage and Rescue Dog Training program gives both you and your dog the skills needed to build confidence, improve obedience, and strengthen your bond during these challenging periods.

Understanding Your Teenage Dog's Needs

The Adolescent Phase

Dogs typically enter their teenage phase around 6 months of age, lasting until they're 18-24 months old. During this time, their hormones surge, causing once-obedient puppies to test boundaries, ignore commands, and develop selective hearing.

Common adolescent behaviours include:

• Forgetting previously learned commands
• Increased energy and excitability
• Difficulty settling after exercise
• Reduced focus during training
• Testing boundaries and rules
• Changes in interactions with other dogs

Rescue Dog Adjustment: The 3-3-3 Rule

Rescue dogs follow what trainers call the "3-3-3 rule". It’s a guideline that outlines adjustment phases after adoption:

First 3 Days: Your dog is overwhelmed, unsure of their surroundings, and may be withdrawn or anxious. They're assessing whether this new environment is safe.

First 3 Weeks: Your dog begins settling in, showing more personality, and may start testing boundaries to understand household rules. This is when training becomes crucial.

First 3 Months: Your dog builds trust, becomes more comfortable with routines, and truly begins to feel at home. Their true personality emerges more fully.

Our Teenage and Rescue Dog Training Approach

Our four-week course runs for one hour each week, providing structure and guidance for dogs aged 5 months and older.

Week 1: Foundations & Basic Commands

We assess your dog's current skills, explain how dogs learn, and introduce essential training techniques including attention exercises, sit, drop, and loose lead walking.

Week 2: Building Control & Real-World Application

We advance training to practical scenarios like cafe visits, strengthen recall, and introduce stay and leave commands that work in daily life.

Week 3: Advanced Skills & Social Confidence

We build on previous weeks, focusing on impulse control with toys, proper greetings with other dogs, and reliable recall in distracting environments.

Week 4: Mastery & Everyday Safety

We consolidate all skills, add door manners, street crossing safety, and car etiquette for a well-rounded, reliable companion.

Why Our Positive Reinforcement Method Works

Small class sizes allow personalised attention while providing controlled socialisation opportunities. We use positive reinforcement techniques to build confidence without fear or stress.

For teenage dogs, we focus on consistent boundaries and engaging mental challenges to channel their energy positively. For rescue dogs, we create a supportive environment that builds trust while respecting their adjustment timeline.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage my teenage dog's sudden disobedience?

Maintain consistent training using positive reinforcement, not punishment. Short, engaging sessions work better than lengthy ones. Remember this phase is temporary, and your patience now builds the foundation for a well-behaved adult dog.

My rescue dog seems fearful. Will training help?

Yes, our structured approach helps fearful dogs build confidence gradually. We create positive associations with new experiences while respecting your dog's comfort level, following the 3-3-3 rule to ensure they aren't overwhelmed.

Can training fix my dog's leash pulling or reactivity?

Our program addresses these common issues through proper technique and consistent practice. We'll teach you how to recognise triggers and redirect your dog's attention before reactions escalate.

Is my dog too old for training?

No dog is too old to learn. While puppies may learn some things more quickly, adult and rescue dogs often have longer attention spans and can progress rapidly with the right approach.

What if my dog struggles in a group setting?

We keep our classes small and carefully managed. If your dog needs additional support, we offer private dog training options to address specific challenges before joining group sessions.

Join us at Castle Hill Showground to help your teenage or rescue dog become the confident, well-mannered companion you know they can be. Contact us on 0404-016-836 to secure your place in our next course.