LIFE
SKILLS 1
Quick results for a better relationship between you and your dog!
Use your dog's own instincts to improve the bond with your 4-legged family member.
For pups 4 months and older
Talk to a trainer to find the right program for your dog:
905-659-1888
With a few weeks of training, your dog will learn to:
- Come when called, the first time, every time!
- Walk nicely on leash without pulling.
- Ignore distractions, such as other dogs, or squirrels!
- Listen and respond to your voice commands quickly and happily.
- Stop jumping up on family and guests.
The McCann Dogs Team
Over the years, McCann Dogs has added the world’s best and brightest dog trainers to our team! Our instructors are dedicated to helping you teach your dog to have good manners and excellent skills. One of the most incredible things about our team’s trainers is they all started as students in McCann Dogs programs, so they know what it’s like to learn about training dogs from the student’s perspective.
Busy schedule? We can help with that!
We offer flexibility so you can focus on training your dog!
Contact our office to learn more about rescheduling your class!
Same great program, two different ways to train!
Train In-Person
Train In-PersonTrain for 9 weeks at your scheduled 90 minute class each week.
Receive immediate feedback from expert dog trainers while learning skills.
Get all of your questions answered during Q&A period after class.
Gain access to online video lessons and training manual with homework and learning resources.
Train in a modern, climate-controlled indoor facility and fenced outdoor yards before or after class.
Check out the Program Curriculum below to see all of the skills & behaviours we cover in Life Skills 1!
Train Online
Train OnlineStart immediately and get access for 4 months! Train at home through 8 weeks of lessons presented through step-by-step instruction and video.
Receive feedback 6 days a week from expert instructors during the program.
Participate in live weekly Group Coaching Calls on the most common training issues, or watch the replay.
Join the McCann Dogs exclusive support group and welcoming community of dog lovers!
Access bonus content like the Bed Stay Workshop and the Full Grooming Maintenance Program.
Check out the Program Curriculum below to see all of the skills & behaviours we cover in Life Skills 1!
Program Curriculum
Helping over 100,000 dog owners just like you!
“There are so many great aspects to this training: credible, personable and authentic instructors (many!). Good content overview and progression, easy to follow videos, private facebook group is a valuable learning tool, repeat access to videos and the live-stream is the kicker...you guys do a great job! Fun to learn and have real-time access to Pros that answer all pertinent questions. Thank you for this - 5 star rating from me!!!”
“What you all have provided must be the world’s best-kept secret! I’m a full-time high school teacher so I KNOW it takes the right personality to teach. The McCann team is so patient, positive and affirming. I am on the way to having the dog I always wanted! McCann Dogs has changed the way I think about training and it has even had a positive impact on teaching my own High School students! I plan to be around for a VERY long time because I adore you guys!"
“I have no idea what I would have done had I not discovered this class. I am now a confident first time dog owner! The McCann staff are SO helpful - cannot praise enough the personalized response to my questions and the amount of care and attention I got in the Facebook group”
FAQS
Who is this course for?
Life Skills 1 is for anyone who wants a well-trained, well-behaved four legged family member. Dogs must be 16 weeks or older to participate. If your dog is less than 16 weeks, consider our Puppy Essentials course!
Please note that we cannot help with aggression in our Life Skills program. If you’re not sure if it’s the right program for you, please get in touch with us at yourdog@mccanndogs.com, and we’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
What's included in this course?
Whether you choose Life Skills 1 in-person or online, you'll get high-quality instructions and support from our expert team of trainers.
Both programs provide detailed written instructions to supplement your live or recorded demonstrations. You’ll have access to loads of supplemental video content, including repeated instruction, real-life training examples and recorded classes.
Do I get to interact with the instructors?
Yes! This is what is truly special about our programs! When you attend classes in person, you'll get to know your consistent Instructors during class each week. Ask questions and get support in real time as you learn and work on the program skills.
I bet you're thinking online will be different. Well, think again! When you attend Life Skills Online, you'll get access to trainers 6 days a week to ask questions. You can email, post questions in the support group, and even submit videos of your training. Your Instructors will provide detailed feedback. In addition to the video lessons, you’ll get to attend weekly LIVE Interactive Coaching calls where we talk about important topics like nipping, barking and how to capture good behaviour. If you can’t make it live, watch the recording later. Take advantage of 4 months of the previous live lessons which are available for your learning!
With all of this, whether you train with us online or in person, you’ll never feel alone!
How long is the program?
Life Skills 1 In-Person runs once a week for 9 weeks. There is a total of 14 hours of Instruction.
Life Skills 1 Online contains 8 weeks of lessons. You’ll get full access to all content and support for 4 months. Most people finish with lots of time to spare, but if you have a busy life and require more time, you can continue monthly access for $29.95/month.
Will this course work for my dog?
The benefit of Life Skills 1 is the collective decades of experience of the trainers behind it. If you run into a problem, chances are we’ve seen it and solved it before. Purchasing Life Skills gives you access to an amazing program that will take you step-by-step through the process of training the skills we all need in order to have a well-behaved and safe 4-legged family member. Since dogs are not robots, when they do something different or unexpected, you’ll be able
to use your support options to call on our experience and troubleshoot the less
common problems.
Please note that we do not help with aggression in our family dog programs. If you have questions about whether the program will help with your dog, please email us at YourDog@McCannDogs.com
Can I enroll from anywhere in the world?
In-Person classes have scheduled start dates and run on the same day and time each week. If you can't make a lesson, reach out to our office team to see about booking a make-up lesson. We're located near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Online classes can be attended instantly from anywhere in the world! Start now!! Our doors are always open. You can work at your own pace and on your own schedule. We'll be there to support you when you need us!
What if I decide it's not the right course for me?
No problem! Check out our Full Money Back Offer:
In-Person Program - 24 hours before your first lesson
Online Programs - 48 hours after you purchase
What if I have more than one dog?
Your registration for Life Skills 1 covers class time and support for one dog. If you would like to train a second dog with us, please reach out to us at YourDog@McCannDogs.com to discuss options
What if my dog is older?
All dogs need training and the adage we’ve all heard about old dogs not being able to learn new tricks is simply not true. Mental stimulation is very rewarding for dogs, regardless of their age.
Are your in-person training classes indoors?
Yes! We train in comfort year round. Our modern, bright training halls are fully climate-controlled for a cool experience in the summer and warmth in the winter. Our rubberized flooring provides a great, non-slip training surface and all of our training halls are equipped with stereo systems so you can easily hear all of the instructions. Check out our virtual tour for a better look at our facility.
What kind of equipment do you recommend?
For class, you will need a 6-foot leash and a regular flat collar (we recommend a metal buckle). You’ll also need some training treats and a bait pouch or accessible pocket to put them in.
For your convenience, we have a small store at our facility or you can purchase recommended equipment online. Over the years, we’ve settled on equipment that we like and that very effectively suits the purposes and needs of our training programs. We’d be happy to help recommend products for you.
What if my dog has aggression issues?
Our family dog classes are for dogs who are friendly with people and other dogs. If you are experiencing aggression, fear or undesirable reactivity from your dog, either toward people or other dogs, reach out to us at yourdog@mccanndogs.com for more information.
This is my child's dog, can they train in the in-person classes?
If kids are part of your family, we want to help you teach mutual respect between them and your canine addition. This means teaching the dog to have good manners around both adults and kids. We encourage the entire family to attend classes; however, for safety reasons, all handlers must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
We know through experience that often, kids aren’t able to take charge of the dog, leading to even less respectful behaviour from the dog going forward. We recommend that an adult take the time to teach the dog all of the necessary skills before any children in the family ask the same of the dog.
Our Online Programs provide a perfect setting for all family members to learn together and get involved with the training!
What vaccinations does my dog need for in-person classes?
We follow a core vaccination schedule. Dogs attending classes must be up-to-date on all core vaccines including Parvovirus, Distemper and Rabies. Up-to-date is dependent on the age of the dog. We require the following:
Dogs 10 - 12 weeks of age must have one vaccination including Parvovirus and Distemper
Dogs 12 - 16 weeks of age must have a second vaccination including the above
Dogs 16 weeks and older must have the two previous vaccinations plus we look for Rabies vaccination between 4 - 6 months of age
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes - we offer private lessons for individuals who require a personalized training program. All in-person private lessons are conducted at our facility in Flamborough, ON, Canada. We also offer Zoom Private Lessons for virtual learning. We do not do home visits.
How many dogs are in the in-person classes?
Our In-Person Classes have a ratio of one instructor for every 4 dogs in class. The bigger the class, the more instructors there are to help out.
Our Online Classes have ongoing registration, but we support our online students 6 days a week. There is not a shortage of instructor interaction!
Can I bring my family to watch the in-person classes?
Yes, we love it when the whole family is on board and encourage everyone to come along!
Do the In-Person Classes have a training manual?
All of our In-Person classes include a comprehensive online training manual that compliments the lessons to assist you with practicing at home!
Can I train two dogs through Life Skills at the same time?
For our In-Person Programs, if you have more than one dog in the same household, you will need to have a different handler for each dog and register each dog separately! We have many family members come to class together!
For our Online Program, if you have more than one dog in the same household, we offer a special discount to you! Email onlinetraining@mccanndogs.comfor more details!
Our Facility
Train in our World-Class Facility or Online with our Expert Trainers
The McCann Method has evolved, and with it, the facility has become world-class. Originally in school gyms and community centres, McCann Professional Dog Trainers now sits on 21 beautiful acres in the heart of Flamborough, Ontario, Canada.
In addition to the main building, which holds 3 large, air-conditioned training halls, there is a 12,000 sq. ft. sports arena with top-quality artificial grass and modern regulation equipment.
The McCann Agility Arena is also the training location for many members of Team Canada when practicing for Agility Competitions worldwide.
We welcome human spectators! Please contact us for details!
OUR FACILITY
Train in our World-Class Facility or Online with our Expert Trainers
The McCann Method® has evolved, and with it, the facility has become world-class. Originally in school gyms and community centres, McCann Professional Dog Trainers now sits on 21 beautiful acres in the heart of Flamborough. In addition to the main building, which holds 3 large, air-conditioned training halls, there is a 12,000 sq. ft. sports arena with top-quality artificial grass and modern regulation equipment. Agility trials are also held year-round in our facility.