TEENAGE TERRORS
Where did my sweet puppy go?
Adolescence can be a trying phase of dog development. Puppies start testing boundaries and becoming more independent – it can feel like any training you’ve done is coming undone!
During this phase it’s important to keep up with training, gently enforcing house rules and socialization. You may feel like any progress you’ve made goes out the window, but keep plugging away and you’ll realize there is light at the end of the tunnel!
You may need a little extra help with teenage testing behaviours like protectiveness over food, bones or toys. You might find your dog develops into a bit of a Tasmanian Devil on leash – over-excited to meet other dogs or people and expressing this by barking, lunging or pulling on the leash. Your wonderful recall may disappear as your dog begins to find the environment more enticing.
We can help you with training and behaviour support to make it through the Teenage Terror phase. Whether you want to put in the work yourself or if you’d rather a bit more help from a pro, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our group and private training offerings lower on this page!
Unsure which class or program is right for you? BOOK A FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
“I am not sure where my dog and I would be today without the ongoing support of Sarah and the Barks team. I knew that getting a puppy would come with its own set of challenges and learning, I did not realize that adolescence was actually the life stage I needed to be prepared for, and when it hit I realized very quickly that I needed more support. I was lucky enough to have met a few people that had worked with or knew of Sarah and referred me to her. There are so many things I have loved about our time at Barks, the education I received around supporting a dog that is struggling through adolescence, the variety of class offerings that are fun for both of us, the development of a truly incredible relationship with my dog, the friends I have made along the way, and the team who feels like family. My dog and I have come SO far in our journey, and I cannot thank Sarah and barks enough for this and their ongoing support of both of us!”
Click the headline below to expand for more info:
group classes
Good dogs need a little help sometimes, too.
Training is a life-long adventure. Dogs do not come equipped with the knowledge or skills to understand our crazy human world – it’s our job to teach them skills to help them succeed, guide them through challenges, advocate for them, and meet their instinctual needs.
We offer several options for training support ideal for teenage dogs and their teenage problems.
Our Team Builders class series is fantastic if you want to learn how to train your dog yourself, and put in the time building that relationship.
Dogs must be over 4 months old, able to take food treats in public, and must be non-aggressive and non-reactive (excessive barking/lunging) towards people and other dogs to benefit from group classes.
Classes cover:
- attention to you around distractions
- self control
- polite greetings
- loose leash walking
- come when called
- stay and go to bed/stay
- wait at boundaries
- back up/excuse me
- play, enrichment, exploration and leadership.
All of our group classes are small so you’ll get a lot of instructor attention.
Team Builders – 6 weeks for $299 – FIRST CLASS IS ONLINE VIA ZOOM
Includes:
- 1 x Online Group Class
- 5 x In-Person Group Classes
- Access to Online Live Coaching Calls while enrolled
- Access to Online Classroom
- Access to Students-only Facebook group
- One Drop-In Class of Your Choice after completing Team Builders (Scent Puzzles, Fancy Feet Heeling, FUN-Gility, Disc, or Connection & Control)*
- Training Equipment Package ($120+value)
*must be used within 3 months of graduation Team Builders
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Sports & Fun Classes
We offer a variety of fun sports classes so you can do more with your dog. We offer nosework, tricks, heeling, and fun-gility classes. To see our sports class offerings as well as prices, start dates and pre-requsites please visit this page.
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NEW – BEHAVIOUR BREAKTHROUGH GROUP PROGRAM – Introducing our new group coaching program for understanding and resolving problem behaviours. For anyone who loves their dog but doesn’t love their behaviour.
If your dog is anxious, fearful, reactive, or an “obedience school drop-out” this class is for you.
Our Behaviour Breakthrough program includes 3 levels of online classes to give you the understanding and skills to work your dog through problematic behaviour. Building Balance covers everything you need to know to understand your individual dog, why problem behaviours develop, how to meet your dog’s needs, how to communicate with them, and how to be a good pet parent. Wild Child is all about training games to teach your crazy canine self control. Big Feelings is focused on leash reactivity for dogs, the most common behaviour issue we see! After completing the online series you will be able to attend in-person leash reactivity training classes.
Play & Learn - Daycare and Train Program
This is our day school program for puppies 3-8 months old. It is mandatory for all puppies joining daycare until over 6 months old or graduated by management to regular day care.
Includes:
- Dog daycare up to 5 hours.
- Supervised, structured dog socialization mixed with naps, training and enrichment.
- Training sessions with our Certified Trainer
- Private socialization walk with our Certified Trainer
One Play & Learn session per week and one lesson with our Certified Trainers for $78/week ($312/month).
Purchase additional days for $63 per day.
Drop off between 8am and 10am
Pick up between 1pm and 3pm
No Meet & Greet necessary! Simply buy the package, and book your puppy in for the day/days you want them to attend each week.
Puppies must be up to date on Distemper/Parvo DAPP), Bordetella, and Rabies vaccination to attend.
*2nd round of vaccinations (DAPP and Bordetella) is required. Rabies is not required until 4-6 months old/as recommended by the vet*
team builders - private lesson program
Our trainers will expertly guide you on how to get through the teenager phase as easily and stress-free as possible.
One-on-one coaching sessions are flexible schedule and curriculum wise, so your program can be tailored to cover exactly what you need. You’ll also find having the trainer come to your home and work with you and your entire family highly beneficial. You get a lot out of a one-on-one coaching session!
These sessions are recommended for help with general manners training (coming when called, walking nicely on leash, stay etc.) or minor behaviour issues like hyperactivity, poor impulse control, alert/demand barking, or jumping on people.
BOOK NOW – 3 lessons for $356.25 (Save 5%)
BOOK NOW – 6 lessons for $675 (Save 10%)
Additional lessons can be purchased at $125 each
– Trail, Rossland, Castlegar, Fruitvale
For lessons in Nelson and Salmo please book with our Behaviour Consultant.
For major issues like aggression (over food, toys, chews, being handled or otherwise), territorial behaviour in the house, or on leash reactivity (barking/lunging at people, dogs, or objects) please see the “SOS – I NEED HELP!” tab.
SOS! I need help!
The teenage phase can be extra challenging. We get it!
If you are struggling with serious issues like aggression (growling, territorial behaviour, snapping, or biting), anxiety or fearfulness (separation anxiety, general anxiety, pacing, restlessness, excessive barking, fear of people, animals or other stimuli) or on-leash reactivity (barking and lunging on leash at people, dogs or objects) we are here to help.
Our programs focus less on traditional obedience and more on communicating with your dog, relationship building, and learning practical life skills.
We are dog behaviour experts. We believe dog behaviour problems are a symptom of issues in the environment, imbalances in the canine-human relationship, or the dog’s needs not being met. We’ll help you understand the root cause of your dog’s problem behaviours and develop a plan for long-term change.
Our training methods are positive-reinforcement and evidence-based. You’ll work with one of our Certified Dog Behaviour Consultants and Certified Family Dog Mediators. We believe strongly in continuing education and are always learning and striving to be better at what we do. This is why you’ll find our trainers have some of the highest credentials in the industry!
We love dogs and we love helping people build fulfilling relationships with their canine companions. We are here to bridge the gap between what you want and what your dog needs so you can learn to be someone your dog can really “hang their hat on”.
BOOK A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION (Basic) – FREE
15 minutes. Recommended if you want to get to know us a little, get a better idea about why a behaviour issue is occurring and get some quick tips, or if you are unsure about what training program is best for you and your dog.
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BOOK AN ONLINE DISCOVERY SESSION (In-Depth) – $130
Recommended as a starting point for most behaviour issues. Done via Zoom (I know, we’re all “over it”), the online consultation is a great option to virtually sit down with a behaviour expert and deep dive into your concerns and goals. The online consultation is recommended because it is low stress for your pet and allows the consultant to see the dog’s behaviour at home in a more natural manner (without the added stress or excitement of a new person in the home). This online session is 75 minutes and will allow for an in depth assessment of the behaviour issues and why they may be occurring, We’ll help you understand what your dog’s needs are and how you can meet them and how to better communicate with them. Your consultant will work with you to develop a Behavioural Wellness Plan for your dog and get you started on exercises for behaviour change. A plan for follow up will also be recommended.
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NEW – BEHAVIOUR BREAKTHROUGH GROUP PROGRAM – Introducing our new group coaching program for understanding and resolving problem behaviours. For anyone who loves their dog but doesn’t love their behaviour.
If your dog is anxious, fearful, reactive, or an “obedience school drop-out” this class is for you.
Our Behaviour Breakthrough program includes 3 levels of online classes to give you the understanding and skills to work your dog through problematic behaviour. Building Balance covers everything you need to know to understand your individual dog, why problem behaviours develop, how to meet your dog’s needs, how to communicate with them, and how to be a good pet parent. Wild Child is all about training games to teach your crazy canine self control. Big Feelings is focused on leash reactivity for dogs, the most common behaviour issue we see! After completing the online series you will be able to attend in-person leash reactivity training classes.
Vaccination Requirements Dogs must be up to date on rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations for all training appointments. Puppies require one set of Distemper/Parvo (DAPP) at 8 weeks old, 2 sets by 12 weeks (Bordetella recommended here as well), and 3 sets plus Rabies by 16 weeks.
Proof of vaccination must be provided before the appointment time. We cannot provide services to dogs without up to date vaccinations, but can accept titer test results of exemption letters from your veterinarian if your dog cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.
Cancellation Policy We have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you are unable to provide this notice, we will charge you in full for the missed appointment if we are unable to fill the spot. Evaluations will be charged a no-show fee. We sometimes have a waiting list and if given enough notice we can fill the appointment. If you have an emergency, please let us know so that we can treat your specific situation with personal attention. We do not consider conflicts to be emergencies. This cancellation policy is necessary for our small business to continue to serve our clients in need. Please call the store to cancel an appointment. E-mail cancellations will not be accepted. Thank you for understanding.