Adolescent Dog Training Melbourne: The Art of Play
The Art of Play is a 6 week, play based training course for dogs aged 5 months and over, held in Brunswick West and Northcote. Designed for dogs moving through adolescence and the owners who are wondering what happened to the puppy that used to listen. This course teaches you how to use play as a training tool to rebuild engagement, focus, and the bond that makes your dog want to work with you.
I don't know about you, but when I had my first dog, no one warned me about adolescence. As our dogs go through rapid developmental changes, hormones surge and they are secure enough in their family unit (that's you by the way,) we see our sweet puppies start to push the boundaries. It is during this time that most dog trainers receive calls asking for help. Stay on track for a well-rounded and reliable adult dog by joining our Level Three course.
Included in the Course
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Welcome pack to take home
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Access to online community and weekly Zoom meetings for follow up questions
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Small classes for personalised advice on your dog's needs
What You'll Learn in The Art of Play
This course gives you a toolkit for using play as training, not just as a reward, helping to set this as a foundation of how your dog relates to you.
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Play mechanics: how to start, sustain, and end play in a way that makes sense to your dog
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Using play as a primary training reward alongside or instead of food
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Arousal and settling: bringing your dog up and back down on cue
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Improving off-lead attention and recall through play drive
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Understanding your dog's natural drives and how to meet them
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Building play into everyday training and obedience work
Why Play Changes Everything During Adolescence
Canine adolescence is a weird time. It is important to remember when we see our puppies being settled and responding well to training, that that is a glimpse of the adult dog we will eventually get all the time. (With consistent training, of course.) Then there are the times that they are a complete space cadet. And when we are having those times, we have play.
Play is how dogs' bond with their social groups, it is how they fulfill drive and check their own boxes for mental enrichment. When we learn how to speak dog and play with them in a way that makes sense to them, you will see the level of engagement, focus and the value your dog places in you skyrocket. You are meeting their fundamental needs, and now they don't need to look elsewhere for it!
The Art Of Play teaches the skills that allow your dog to get the most out of play, and also makes sure you don't get bitten or skittled in the process. We can make training fun by building play into it, and play done well can be an excellent form of exercise for our dogs. (Yes, that means you won't need to walk your dog for an hour every day.)
Playing well means your dog won't place as much value in chasing birds, playing with other dogs in the park while ignoring you, or getting creative in the house and taking the stuffing out of couch cushions.
Our classes are kept intentionally small so we can provide customised advice to help you and your dog as individuals.
Course Details & Pricing
Course Length: 6 weeks
Session Length: 45 minutes
Class Size: Maximum 6 dogs
Age Requirement: 5 months +
Course Price: $260
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Pricing includes your welcome pack, access to the private online community and weekly group Zoom check-ins with Olivia throughout the course.
The Art of Play is best suited to dogs 5 months and older. Contact us to discuss whether this course is the right fit for your dog.
Where Classes Are Held
The Art of Play Classes run across two inner north Melbourne locations: Brunswick West and Northcote. Specific venues and session times are confirmed when classes open for booking.
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We draw clients from across Melbourne's north including: Thornbury, Preston, Coburg, Brunswick, Fitzroy, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Alphington, Heidelberg, Reservoir, Moonee Ponds, Pascoe Vale and more.
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Get in touch if you're unsure whether we're local to you.
Where Does The Art of Play Fit in the Course Pathway?
The Art Of Play is Level Three in the Northside Dog Training course pathway:
• Puppy Preschool (8 weeks – 5 months): socialisation and foundation skills
• Good Canine Citizens (4 months +) : real-life obedience
• The Art Of Play (5 months +): play, engagement and adolescence
• Canine All Stars: advanced training, dog sports and competition preparation
After completing The Art Of Play, Canine All Stars is the natural next step, taking the engagement and drive work from this course into advanced territory including dog sports, tricks, and competition preparation.
Common Questions About The Art of Play: Adolescent Dog Training
