Welcome to Middle School — that slightly awkward stage between learning the basics and figuring out how to use them in the real world. Your dog learned foundational skills in Elementary School. Now it’s time to start putting those skills into practice outside of the classroom. For many dogs, simply working in new environments around different sights, sounds, smells, people, and dogs is challenging enough. Middle School helps you understand what your dog is communicating and how to support them as you begin navigating the real world together. What This Class Covers: Real-World Training: Taking foundation skills out of the classroom and learning how to use them in everyday environments Recall: Continuing to strengthen come-when-called skills while learning when your dog is ready to practice successfully Sit, Down & Stay: Applying familiar behaviors in new environments and situations Leash Skills: Continuing loose-leash walking and learning how to navigate the world together Attention & Focus: Helping your dog reconnect with you when the environment becomes more interesting Thresholds & Triggers: Learning to recognize when your dog is comfortable or becoming overwhelmed and needs your support Polite Greetings: Practicing appropriate interactions with people while respecting your dog’s comfort level Cooperative Care: Continuing body-handling skills for grooming, veterinary care, and everyday handling Confidence Building: Helping your dog safely experience unfamiliar environments, surfaces, objects, and situations From Knowing the Skills to Using the Skills Middle School is where we start bridging the gap between “my dog knows this at home” and understanding what happens when you ask your dog to use those same skills out in the world. You’ll learn how to recognize when your dog is ready to work, when the environment may be asking too much, and how to adjust so you can help your dog succeed rather than simply repeating a cue they aren’t able to respond to. Small Class Sizes: Classes are intentionally kept small so there’s plenty of room to learn, practice, and receive guidance along the way. We use positive reinforcement (R+) and Fear Free methods. Our training is humane, science-based, and focused on helping dogs and their people learn to navigate real life together. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Elementary School or passing an entry assessment.