What to Expect with TGD?

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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.

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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:

1. Describe – explain the what and why (verbally and in writing)

2. Demonstrate – show the technique with your dog

3. 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:

1. A Quick Help summary for those who like short, actionable steps

2. A Detailed Help section with explanations and “why it works”

3. 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

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