What to Expect with TGD?

Sessions at a glance

Practical, hands-on coaching focused on doing, not lecturing.
You leave each session with 3–5 clear goals and a brief follow-up email.
Ask questions anytime — quick answers in session, detailed info by email if needed.

Your learning style matters

Everyone learns differently — and I’ll match how I teach to what works best for you.
I provide videos, quick handouts, and detailed guides, and I also show the exercises with your dog and coach you through them.
If any of these formats don’t work for you, just let me know — we’ll focus on the method that fits your learning style best.
I follow the 3D approach:

Describe – explain the what and why (verbally and in writing)
Demonstrate – show the technique with your dog
Do– coach you as you practise it with your dog

Accessibility and Individual Needs

I’ve worked with clients who have sight, hearing, mobility, and memory differences, and I believe training should be accessible to everyone.
If you have any physical, sensory, or learning needs, please let me know — I’ll adapt the sessions, materials, and pace to suit you as much as possible.
Ideas and feedback are always welcome — we grow and learn together.

Why you may get materials early

You may receive handouts before or after your session. This allows us to spend our time training, not lecturing.
You’ll receive most of your materials after the first and second sessions — this gives you time to absorb and apply the information gradually.
If you prefer not to receive written materials, just let me know, and I’ll give you more verbal guidance instead.
We might move a little slower that way, which is perfectly fine — if verbal instruction is how you learn best, that’s the way we’ll do it.
Written materials are provided as attached PDF files or link to my Google Drive Folders. (You can choose the method of delivery)

After your session

Your follow-up email includes:

A Quick Help summary for those who like short, actionable steps
A Detailed Help section with explanations and “why it works”
Topic-specific handouts / link when needed

If you haven’t had time to read, just let me know — I’ll fill you in during our session.
You’ll also get homework, because the real progress happens with repetition and generalization.
It’s okay if you miss some — we’ll simply repeat and reinforce the previous step before moving forward.
If you prefer more repetition and less homework, that’s perfectly fine; I’ll adapt our pace to your comfort.

Before you come

Feed your dog as usual.
- If you plan to use part of their food for training, hold back about one-third from the meal or deduct that from the next one.
- Hungry dogs will not work better — a dog that’s too hungry or too full can’t focus well. Aim to feed latest about 1 hour before leaving home.
Use a well-fitted harness and standard leash (6 ft / 1.8 m).
- If your dog has trouble wearing a harness, let me know — I can provide instructions and support to help condition your dog to enjoy wearing it.
- I can temporarily work with a collar if there’s a good reason (for example, transitioning from an aversive tool or a medical or safety concern), but a harness is the recommended option for safety and comfort.
Bring soft treats and kibble, a tug toy, water, and a treat pouch.
A long line (10–15 ft / 3–5 m) is helpful for outdoor work.
- Long lines should never be used with collars of any kind.
Give your dog a short, calm sniff-walk or arrive a few minutes early so they can settle.
Avoid hard exercise right before your session.

First greeting at session one

We begin with a gentle Treat-Retreat approach so your dog can engage at their own pace.
No pressure to sit or be touched. I toss treats, then step back to give space.
Please keep your dog from pulling or jumping toward me, do not follow you dog if he pulls. see Bellow We’ll practise calm leash handling and positioning together.
I only pet or handle your dog if they show relaxed interest and choose it.

Leash handling basics

for greetings
• Two-handed hold at waist level with a little slack
• Balanced stance, feet hip-width apart
• Soft adjustments — no yanking if jumping happens

Between sessions

Short, 2–5 minute practices a few times a week make the biggest difference.
You can send notes or short videos if you’d like feedback.
If you are paying for a Package sessions, you can email me with your questions anytime — or text me in case of emergency.

Gear checklist

H- or Y-shaped back-clip harness
Standard 6-foot leash
10–15 ft (3–5 m) long line
Soft treats or kibble
Toy, water, treat pouch