Join Our Free Canine Community Today!

Connect, Learn, and Share with Fellow Dog Guardians

Build a Strong Foundation for Your Dog: The Basic Skills & Manners Path

Build calm, resilience, and the behaviors that lead

to a well-rounded canine companion.

Life Skills & Manners for Your Dog- From Puppyhood to Adulthood

Build calm, resilience, and the behaviors that lead to a well-rounded canine companion.

Basic Skills and Manners for Every Stage of Your Dog's Life

Is your dog jumping on guests, pulling on the leash, barking, or ignoring basic commands?

Whether you're managing a playful puppy, an adolescent with too much energy, or a newly adopted rescue, we know how overwhelming it can feel when basic manners are a struggle. You deserve to have a well-mannered, calm dog that fits seamlessly into your family and everyday life.

Why Manners and Not Just Obedience?

Our Basic Skills & Manners Path is designed to take the stress out of training and give you a step-by-step plan to teach your dog essential life skills. Through positive reinforcement and expert guidance, we’ll help your dog master sitting, staying, walking calmly, and responding to commands, creating a more enjoyable relationship for both of you.

Manners go beyond the basic commands of obedience. They are about helping your dog learn how to behave appropriately in different situations – calming down when guests arrive, settling by the table, and building resilience in new environments. Obedience is part of it, but manners encompass the social skills that make life enjoyable for both you and your dog.

On this path, your dog will learn

What You'll Learn-Milestones & Skills

  • Polite Greetings

  • Loose Leash Walking

  • Sit, Stay and Come

  • Impulse Control

  • Laying Down

  • Wait

  • Leave it, Drop it

  • and more!

What You Get with Basic Skills & Manners Path

By joining the Basic Skills & Manners Path, you'll gain access to

Training Videos

Clear, practical lessons you can follow at home to practice.

PDF's, Workbooks, Checklists

Printable guides to support your training journey.

3 Flexible Training Formats

Monthly Subscription, Online Coaching & In-Person Coaching.

Success Stories from Happy Dog Parents

"From Hyper to Calm"

"Thanks to Teresa, our border collie Finley is now a relaxed & happy member of our household. We had our doubts during the first few months together - it is hard to explain how hyper, demanding & out of control Finn was. Teresa taught us how to understand Finley's energy & stress levels and - thank god! - how to help him calm down & look to us for instruction before bolting off after every distraction."

— Laurie A., proud puppy parent

"Our Puppy Listens"

We enrolled our puppy, Max, in the Life Skills & Manners course, and it made a world of difference. The potty training tips, crate comfort exercises, and calm greetings transformed Max into a well-mannered companion we can confidently take anywhere."

— Sarah J., proud puppy parent

MEET THE FOUNDER & CEO

Hey, I'm Teresa Loya

With over 25 years of experience in dog training and behavior modification, I’ve helped tens of thousands of dog owners build better relationships with their pets. My passion lies in guiding you and your dog to success, using reward-based training techniques that promote calmness, confidence, and good behavior that lasts!

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)

Master's Degree in Animal Behavior

25+ years of professional experience, all

breeds, all ages

PRICING

Choose Your Plan

Training Subscription

$30/mo or $300/Yr

  • Unlimited access to guided training courses, masterclasses & pre-recorded webinars.

  • Live advice and expert help with our 2x monthly Q & A sessions to answer your questions with training demos

  • Downloadable PDF guidebooks & resources

  • Step-by-step lessons plans

  • 15% Discount on 1:1 Coaching plans

  • Cancel anytime, no commitment required

No contracts - cancel anytime

Personalized Coaching

In-person or online

Varies-4, 6, & 8 sessions

  • Personalized, in-home coaching (Limited Areas around Denver, Colorado), Online- anywhere

  • Custom training plans tailored to your dog, home and public environment

  • 15 % discount if a member

  • Hands-on guidance and real-time adjustments

  • Access to the training resources active plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What age is best to start the Life Skills & Manners program?

Our program is designed for dogs as young as 8 weeks old and up. Starting early helps build a strong foundation, but dogs of any age can benefit from learning life skills and improving manners. We adapt our training to suit the developmental stage of your dog, whether they're a young puppy, adolescent, or adult.

Question 2: Can the Life Skills & Manners program help my overexcited adolescent dog?

Yes! Adolescent dogs often struggle with over-arousal and impulse control, which is a natural part of their development. Our program helps teach calming techniques, self-control, and manners that make managing this stage easier for you and your dog.

Question 3: How is "manners" training different from obedience training?

While obedience training focuses on commands like sit, stay, and come, manners training encompasses appropriate behavior in real-world scenarios, like greeting guests calmly or settling during meals. It's about creating a well-rounded, polite companion rather than just following cues.

Question 4: What training options are available for the Life Skills & Manners program?

We offer exclusive private training sessions both in-person and online, as well as courses, masterclasses, and webinars through our Training Academy. This flexibility ensures you get the guidance you need in the format that works best for your lifestyle and your dog.

Question 5: How do I tell if my dog is over-excited or reactive?

The difference lies in the emotional state of the dog. If a dog is excited and overstimulated but not fearful, it can lead to over-arousal responses like jumping, barking, and pulling on the leash. On the other hand, a fearful or anxious dog can also become over-aroused and exhibit similar "fooling around" behaviors, such as jumping, barking, and pulling on the leash, often accompanied by biting or mouthing the person or leash, growling, or snapping. To help determine which program is best for you and your dog, it's best to call for a free consultation or send us a video for assessment.

REady to Experience a well-mannered dog?

Start Today!

The longer you wait to address behavioral issues, the harder they become to correct. Early training isn't just about teaching commands—it's about preventing bad habits from taking root and giving your dog the best chance to thrive.

where confidence and connection grow