RAISING RELIABLE DOGS
Program Goal
The first six months of your puppy's life lay the foundation for the dog they will become. During this critical stage of development, your puppy is constantly learning—even when you aren't intentionally teaching them. Without proper guidance, puppies naturally develop habits, both good and bad.
Raising Reliable Dogs is a structured puppy education program designed to help you and your puppy build the habits, communication, and confidence needed for lifelong success. Each lesson builds on the last, creating a clear progression that develops a calm, reliable companion while giving you the knowledge and skills to continue that success at home.
By the end of the program, you'll have the knowledge, structure, and training foundation needed to continue raising a well-mannered, confident, and obedient dog.
Program Schedule
At McMillan Mastiffs, we don't just teach puppies commands—we build the foundation for a reliable companion. Through our 16 week structured curriculum, real-world training, and balanced approach, we help puppies develop the confidence, obedience, and mindset needed to succeed for life. Your puppy isn't just attending another puppy class... They're enrolling in the School of McMillan Mastiffs where we build reliable dogs from the ground up.
Building the Foundation
The first phase focuses on puppy foundations, engagement, confidence, and the early behaviours that shape future success. Throughout the program, you'll learn how to communicate effectively with your puppy so you can continue building on their success long after graduation.
Puppy Foundation Session
- House Training
- Crate Training
- Feeding & Sleep Routines
- Puppy Biting
- Marker Training
- Building Engagement
Engagement & Relationship Building
- Marker Training
- Reward Systems
- Focus Exercises
- Building Owner Value
Sit, Down & Place
- Sit
- Down
- Place
- Duration
- Calmness
Socialization & Confidence Building
- Environmental Exposure
- Confidence Building
- Novel Objects
- Surfaces & Sounds
Core Skills
With a solid foundation in place, puppies begin learning essential obedience skills while developing impulse control, reliable recall, and everyday manners.
Loose Leash Walking
- Loose Leash Walking
- Heel Foundations
- Following Pressure
- Preventing Pulling
Impulse Control
- Patience
- Self-Control
- Managing Excitement
- Door & Food Manners
Recall Foundations
- Reliable Recall
- Emergency Recall
- Recall Games
Leave It & Drop It
- Leave It
- Drop It
- Resource Management
- Safety Exercises
Real-World Confidence
Once core skills are established, puppies begin applying their training around people, dogs, grooming, handling, and real-world environments.
Handling & Grooming
- Nail Trims
- Brushing
- Ear Cleaning
- Vet Preparation
Meeting People Properly
- Greeting Guests
- Preventing Jumping
- Public Manners
Dog Neutrality
- Ignoring Other Dogs
- Focus Around Distractions
- Calm Behaviour Around Dogs
Public Training Day
- Park Training
- Pet Store Training
- Downtown Walk
- Real-World Obedience
Graduation & Beyond
The final phase brings everything together through advanced obedience, real-world application, and a personalized graduation session that prepares you and your dog for the next stage of training.
Advanced Place & Stay
- Extended Place
- Extended Sit
- Extended Down
- Duration & Focus
Real-World Obedience
- Outdoor Obedience
- Distraction Training
- Long Line Work
- Reliable Responses
Putting It All Together
- Problem Solving
- Owner Coaching
- Final Preparation
- Building Consistency
Graduation Session
- Progress Evaluation
- Strengths & Next Steps
- Personalized Training Plan
- Graduation Certificate & Photo
What's Included
16 Weekly Training Sessions
- ✔ One class every week
- ✔ 45–90 minute sessions
Support Group
- ✔ Ongoing questions answered throughout the program
Homework Program
- ✔ Weekly exercises
- ✔ Training goals
- ✔ Progress tracking
Monthly Field Trips
- ✔ Parks & Public Spaces
- ✔ Pet Stores
- ✔ Downtown Environments
Graduation Evaluation
- ✔ Certificate of Completion
- ✔ Progress Review
- ✔ Graduation Photo Opportunity
Exclusive Puppy Raising Guide
Every student receives a professionally designed handbook that you'll refer to long after the course is over. Designed to support you between training sessions and give you the confidence to continue building your puppy's success at home.