Puppy Foundation Classes

Give your puppy the right start

Our Puppy Foundation Classes are designed to help you build calm, confident behaviour from the very beginning — while strengthening the bond between you and your puppy.

These classes are small, supportive and carefully structured, giving you practical skills you can use every day, not just during the session.

We focus on real-life foundations: calm walking, focus around distractions, handling, confidence and positive social experiences — all taught using force-free, reward-based methods.

What we cover over 4 weeks

Each week builds on the last, with time for questions and individual support.

Foundations include:

  • Focus and engagement around distractions

  • Calm greetings and polite behaviour

  • Handling, grooming and vet-prep skills

  • Confidence building and body awareness

  • Settle and calm behaviours

  • Recall foundations and lead skills

  • Understanding puppy behaviour, not just cues

You’ll also learn how to read your puppy, manage arousal, and support them as they grow.

What makes these classes different?

  • Small group size (maximum 6–8 puppies)

  • Indoor venue – calm, safe and weather-proof

  • Individual support within a group setting

  • Behaviour-led approach – not just obedience

  • Pre-class behaviour questionnaire for every puppy

  • Clear guidance for owners before, during and after the course

This isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” puppy class. Each puppy is treated as an individual.

Who These Classes Are For

✔ Puppies under 6 months old
✔ First-time puppy owners
✔ Puppies who need confidence around new environments
✔ Owners who want calm, practical training (not shouting or corrections)
✔ Anyone who wants to prevent problems before they start

If you’re unsure whether group classes are right for your puppy, I’m always happy to advise.

How the Classes Run

Small groups, thoughtful structure

  • Small group sizes to keep things calm

  • Indoor venues suitable for young puppies

  • Positive, force-free methods only

  • Time built in for questions

We move at a pace that suits the puppies — not a rigid checklist.

Puppy Foundation -

📅 Course Details

Puppy Foundation Course – Starting Sunday 5th July 2026

Give your puppy the best possible start with our Puppy Foundation Course.

At Yellowtail Dog Training, we take a holistic approach to puppy development, looking beyond basic training to support your puppy's emotional wellbeing, confidence, communication skills and overall development.

This friendly and supportive 4-week course is designed to help you build a strong relationship with your puppy while developing practical skills for everyday life.

What We Cover

🐾 Recall foundations

🐾 Loose lead walking

🐾 Focus and engagement

🐾 Calmness around distractions

🐾 Confidence building

🐾 Appropriate social interactions

🐾 Handling and preparation for veterinary visits

🐾 Understanding canine body language

🐾 Enrichment and mental stimulation

🐾 Supporting emotional regulation and resilience

 Accredited Canine Coach and Approved Canine Nutrition & Wellness Expert, the course combines practical training with a deeper understanding of your puppy's physical, emotional and behavioural needs.

Course Details

Location: Priory Court Community Centre, Walthamstow and Lloyd Park

Day: Sundays

Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm

Course Length: 4 weeks

Dates:

  • Sunday 5th July 2026
  • Sunday 12th July 2026
  • Sunday 19th July 2026
  • Sunday 26th July 2026

Investment: £120 for the full 4-week course

Booking

Places are intentionally limited to ensure every puppy and owner receives individual support throughout the course.

We welcome puppies from 10 weeks of age who have started their vaccination programme.

We look forward to welcoming you and your puppy to the Yellowtail community.

👉 Secure your space here

How puppies are prepared

Before joining the class:

  • Owners complete a puppy behaviour & history questionnaire

  • I review this and prepare a brief overview for each puppy

  • I speak to owners in advance to explain the programme and class rules

  • Puppies must be up to date with vaccinations appropriate for their age

This helps keep everyone safe, relaxed and supported.

Course dates and time (next cohort) 

Start Date: Sunday 10th May
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Walthamstow
(Priory Court Community Centre & Lloyd Park)

Time: Morning sessions (10.30am or 11am)
(Final time confirmed closer to the start date)

Price: £100 for the full course

🧠 What You’ll Learn

This course is designed to give you a strong, practical foundation in a calm and supportive environment.

Each week builds on the last, so you see real progress — not just in training, but in how your dog feels and behaves.

We focus on:

  • Engagement and focus around distractions
  • Recall foundations that actually work
  • Early loose lead walking
  • Nutrition, handling, play
  • Calm behaviour around dogs and people
  • Confidence building (indoors and outdoors)
  • Using food and play effectively

⚠️ Important to Know

This course is about building foundations — not quick fixes.

You’ll leave with:

  • A clear understanding of your dog
  • Practical tools to keep progressing
  • The confidence to handle real-life situations

🎟️ Book Your Place

Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.

👉 Secure your space here

 

What we do

We offer a range of  services tailored to meet your individual needs. Our approach is focused on understanding and responding to what you require, providing effective and practical solutions.