Real-World Dog Training for Confident, Well-Rounded Companions
Dog training should prepare your dog for the life you actually want to share together. Day School™ is Connected Canine's relationship-based dog training program for fully vaccinated puppies, adolescent dogs, and adult dogs.
Program investment
$2,800
8-week program
Why Day School™ Exists
Many dogs know a few commands at home but struggle when faced with distractions in the real world. They may pull on leash, have difficulty settling in public, get overly excited around people or other dogs, ignore cues outside the house, or feel uncertain in new environments. For many families, the goal isn't perfection — it's having a dog who can comfortably participate in everyday life.
Day School™ was created to provide individualized training that helps dogs build the skills, confidence, and communication necessary to thrive in real-world scenarios. We aim to transform dogs into well-rounded companions who can joyfully engage with their families — whether that means strolling through the neighborhood, relaxing on a patio, visiting a pet-friendly store, or simply feeling calmer and more connected at home. Because Connection Comes First.
Is Day School™ Right for My Dog?
Day School™ is designed for fully vaccinated dogs of all ages who are ready for structured, individualized training. This program may be a good fit if:
- Your dog needs better everyday manners
- Your dog struggles to focus around distractions
- Your dog pulls on leash
- Your dog has trouble settling in public
- Your dog gets overly excited around people or other dogs
- Your dog needs more confidence in new environments
- Your dog has completed puppy training and is ready for the next step
- Your dog is working toward AKC Canine Good Citizen goals
- You want your dog to become a more confident companion in daily life
Every dog begins with an evaluation to understand their needs, temperament, learning history, and your goals before we recommend the right path.
How Day School™ Works
Day School™ is built around individualized training and progressive goals. Every training plan is tailored to the individual dog in front of us.
Evaluation
We begin with an evaluation to learn about your dog, your goals, and the challenges you are experiencing. This helps us understand your dog's behavior and determine the most effective starting point — and whether Day School™ or a different program is the right fit.
Program Placement
After the evaluation, your dog is placed into the appropriate Day School™ path based on their current skills, behavior, confidence, and goals. Some dogs begin with foundational manners while others are ready for more advanced public skills.
Progressive Training Levels
Dogs move through three levels — Foundations, Achievement, and Mastery — each building on the last. Progress is individualized, so your dog advances when they're ready, not on a fixed schedule.
Progress Updates and Family Support
Your dog's success relies on what happens at home too. We keep families informed so you understand how your dog is progressing and how to support those skills in daily life.
Graduation and Next Steps
As your dog progresses through Day School™, we help guide the next step in their education — whether that's continuing along the Connected Learning Path™, Residency™, Therapy Dog Preparation, Service Dog Training, or ongoing alumni support.
Three Levels of Progression
Day School™ is structured around three progressive levels, each preparing your dog for more of the real world.
Foundations
Foundations emphasizes effective communication, everyday manners, and essential life skills. Dogs develop the skills to become more connected, responsive, and manageable in daily life.
- Attention and engagement
- Loose leash walking
- Polite greetings
- Settling
- Recall foundations
- Impulse control
- Household manners
- Confidence building
- Handler focus
- Everyday reliability
Achievement
Achievement helps dogs apply their skills in more distracting public environments — taking training beyond familiar spaces and helping dogs remain connected, calm, and responsive around real-world distractions.
- Public manners
- Leash skills in busier environments
- Calm behavior around people
- Focus around other dogs
- Patio and park skills
- Confidence in new places
- More advanced impulse control
- Real-world reliability
Mastery
Mastery is the highest level of Day School™, fostering confidence, reliability, and calmness in busy community settings. Dogs develop the skills to confidently navigate everyday life in more complex environments.
- Busy public environments
- Urban walking skills
- Calm behavior around distractions
- Reliable responses in changing environments
- Public settling
- Confidence in community spaces
- Advanced leash skills
- Real-world composure
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Dog's Journey
Residency™
For families seeking immersive training and real-world support, Residency™ provides a customized Board & Train experience with owner coaching and lifelong support.
Learn moreTherapy Dog Preparation
For dogs with the right temperament, Therapy Dog Preparation helps teams build the skills needed for meaningful community work.
Learn moreService Dog Training
For qualified dogs and handlers, Service Dog Training offers reliable task work, public access skills, and a strong partnership built on individualized training.
Learn moreReady to Open Your Dog's World?
Your dog's life does not stop at the front door. Day School™ helps dogs build the confidence, communication, and real-world skills they need to enjoy more of life with their families.
Schedule an Evaluation