Introduction
Welcome to the AKC Virtual Home Manners & Foundations Course!
Welcome to the Virtual Home Manners & Foundations course!
We’re so glad you’re here. This course is designed to help you build real-life manners and a strong relationship with your dog using positive reinforcement-based training. Whether your dog is a brand-new puppy or an adult who needs a fresh start, you’re in the right place.
What to Expect
This course is 12 weeks long, and each week includes:
A short video (1–10 minutes)
Written instructions and teaching tips
Goals, troubleshooting advice, and practice ideas
A recap to help you stay on track
You’ll get new material each week, but feel free to go at your own pace. There is no “behind” here. Just progress at a speed that works for you and your dog.
Who This Course Is For
This course was made with you in mind if:
You’re new to dog training
You want a positive, kind approach
You would rather train at home or on your own
You care more about connection than perfection
What You'll Learn
By the end of this course, your dog will know:
Basic manners like Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Place
How to walk politely on a leash
How to stay calm around food and doors
Fun tricks like Spin and Figure 8s
How to be calm in a crate or behind a gate
You’ll also learn how to:
Communicate clearly with your dog using a marker word or clicker
Reinforce behaviors with food, toys, or life rewards
Prevent common training mistakes with simple routines
Prepare to submit your AKC Virtual Home Manners title (optional!)
A Note on Positive Reinforcement
In this course, we use positive reinforcement-based training. That means rewarding the behaviors we want and avoiding punishment and correction. It works for every dog, and it strengthens your bond in the process.
Let’s get started!
