AKC Virtual Home Manners & Foundations Virtual Course
Whether you're starting with a brand-new puppy or an adult dog who needs some manners tuning, this course will guide you step-by-step through important life skills using positive reinforcement-based dog training techniques.
This course also prepares you for the AKC Virtual Home Manners title (Puppy and/or Adult), and teaches important foundational skills and enrichment games along the way.
From 12 weeks, you'll get a short video and written content showing you how to teach real-life basic manners skills, like loose leash walking, coming when called, and politely greeting people at the door. All while building a stronger bond with your dog!
Perfect for guardians who are:
New to training
Prefer to train at home or on their own.
Focused on relationship-based, ethical methods.
No punishment. No pressure. Just proven training that works.
Let’s make life smoother (and more fun) with your dog one week at a time!
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Introduction
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Welcome!
Welcome to the AKC Virtual Home Manners & Foundations course!
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Submitting the AKC Virtual Home Manners Title
A brief overview of how to submit for your AKC Virtual Home Manners title.
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Tips for Submitting Your Video Assessment
Some tips for filming your VHM title assessments quickly and easily.
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Week #1 - Training Foundations
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How Dogs Learn – Motivation, Timing, and Reinforcement
This lesson explains the science behind how dogs learn through positive reinforcement. You’ll learn what reinforcement really means, how timing affects learning, and how to set up training so your dog is more likely to succeed.
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Marker Training Basics (Clicker or Verbal)
A marker is a signal that tells your dog, “Yes! That’s what I wanted.” This lesson teaches you how to use a clicker or a verbal marker word (like “Yes!”) to build clarity and confidence in your training.
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Choosing Effective Rewards
Every dog is different, so it’s important to use what your dog values most. This lesson helps you discover which rewards to use and when to use them.
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Short, Successful Training Sessions
Training should feel fun and doable and not overwhelming. This lesson shows you how to structure short sessions for success, and how to read when your dog needs a break.
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The Name Game
Your dog’s name should mean “Look at me!” This lesson teaches you how to classically condition your dog to respond to their name using rewards.
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The Fist Bump Game (Nose Touch)
This is your first real “trained” behavior! You’ll teach your dog to touch their nose to your hand on cue. This fun, simple skill builds confidence and is useful for recall, leash walking, and tricks.
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Week #1 Homework
A review of what to work on before heading into Week #2.
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Week #2: Sit and Down on Cue - Releases 7/20
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Week #3: Recall Basics - Releases 7/27
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Week #4: Go to Place or Crate - Releases 8/3
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Week #5: Stay Cue - Releases 8/10
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Week #6: Calm Behind a Barrier or in a Crate - Releases 8/17
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Week #7: Leash Walking Part One - Releases 8/24
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Week #8: Manners Around the Door - Releases 8/31
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Week #9: Handling & Grooming Manners - Releases 9/7
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Week #10: Distance Work - Releases 9/14
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Week #11: Leash Walking Part Two - Releases 9/21
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Week #12: Fun and Games! - Releases 9/28
Meet your instructor
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Meet your instructor ✳
Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CTDI, CARE-TC KD
Lauren Tsao is the founder of Faithfully Yours Dog Training and one of Mississippi’s most trusted dog behavior experts. She specializes in helping dogs and their humans navigate everything from basic manners to complex behavior challenges, always with a focus on science, compassion, and connection.
Lauren holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), and a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI). She’s also an AKC CGC Evaluator and has been featured by The Dodo, Buzzfeed, Honest Kitchen, FOX40, SuperTalk MS, and more.
Her training philosophy is grounded in positive reinforcement and built for the real world. She’s especially passionate about making training accessible to neurodivergent dog guardians and her courses are designed to support different learning styles, realistic routines, and long-term success.
Lauren’s own dogs have earned multiple trick titles and modeled for Barkworthies, Good Reasons, and Only Natural Pet. She was named one of Sniffspot’s Top Positive Trainers in Mississippi in both 2022 and 2023.
Whether your dog is new to training or just needs a refresher on the basics, Lauren’s Virtual Home Manners course offers a kind, clear, and supportive path forward for dogs of all ages, and the people who love them.
Course FAQ
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This course is a 100% virtual, self-study course. There is no live instruction and you can complete it at your own pace.
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There is no deadline on video assessment submissions. Please take your time.
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The cost of the course covers video AKC Virtual Home Manners assessments for all your household dogs. Yes, even if you have like, 18 dogs.
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Because this is a virtual course, we don’t offer any refunds or exchanges.