Basic (On-Leash) Obedience Training

Basic (On-Leash) Obedience Training Overview

At Whole Dog University, LLC, we offer personalized and customizable on-leash basic obedience training programs, tailored to your dog's age, temperament, and your specific goals. Our unique approach combines hands-on training for your dog with extensive owner education, helping you develop a calm, respectful, and well-balanced companion.

Our programs are designed to challenge and engage both you and your dog. While the training may feel more demanding for the owner than the dog, we make it both fun and rewarding, ensuring long-term success for your dog's behavior and your relationship.

More Information Get Started

The Benefits of Obedience Training

Obedience training isn't just about teaching commands; it's about creating a partnership between you and your dog. By starting early (as young as 4-6 months) or addressing behaviors in older dogs, obedience training:

Prevents and / or inhibits bad habits before they get too entrenched and instills good habits, including helpful predictable behavioral patterns for your dog.
Provides beneficial mental stimulation for your dog. It gives them a job to do.
Builds confidence in your dog and strengthens your bond.
Helps enable you to more effectively guide them behaviorally in various situations.
Is one way to foster calmness because you are more effective in leading and guiding them in day-to-day life in a way they can understand.

It's never too late to start. Whether you're training a young puppy or an older dog, our programs help foster the development of a dog that is calmer, better behaved, balanced, and an even more enjoyable companion

We offer 3 basic obedience program options plus a special leash walking program available in 2 different training formats:

Intro to Basic Obedience Training

This basic program provides a strong foundation that includes all the core obedience commands. All skills are taught on-leash.

In addition to learning how to teach your dog these commands, this program includes:

Training via positive reinforcement using markers (clickers), treats / praise / physical affection throughout.
Development of your leash-handling skills.
Learning how to foster eye contact and engagement from your dog.
Instruction in how to incorporate the elements of Duration, Distraction, and Distance into your training with your dog.
Once commands are mastered, owners learn how to safely, fairly, and humanely apply corrections when necessary to foster reliability.

Comprehensive Basic Obedience Training (Most Popular Program)

This program goes beyond the basic core commands and offers additional on-leash commands besides those in the Intro to Basic Obedience Training Program (also includedin this program) to challenge your dog and broaden their obedience skill set.

In addition to learning how to teach your dog these commands, this program includes:

Time to address less serious behavioral issues and/or allows for further individualized customization such as a training session off-site in a public place or in your home.
Training done via positive reinforcement using markers (clickers), treats / praise / physical affection throughout.
Development of your leash-handling skills.
Learning how to foster eye contact and engagement from your dog.
Instruction in how to incorporate the elements of Duration, Distraction, and Distance into your training with your dog.
Once commands are mastered, owners learn how to safely, fairly, and humanely apply corrections when necessary to foster reliability.
Available in a Weekly Private Lesson or Residential Day-Training Program formats.

Basic Obedience Training for Expectant Parents

This one-of-kind program in SW Ohio is tailored to help expectant parents in preparing their dog for the arrival of their baby and to help parents have better control of their dog before and after the arrival of a new baby. (Ideally started before the start of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and completed by / before the 32nd week of pregnancy).

This longer program includes most of the same core commands that are part of the Intro to Basic Obedience Training Program but with modifications and helpful guidance for a home with a newborn and a dog. A few of the topics covered include:

Desensitizing your dog to the sounds of a newborn ahead of time.
Learning how to safely introduce your dog to your newborn.
Learning how to create safe boundaries for your dog around a baby / toddler.
Learning how to walk your dog while pushing a stroller.
Coaching on how to continue meeting your dog’s needs while you care for your new baby.

And as with all other basic obedience training programs…

Training done via positive reinforcement using markers (clickers), treats / praise / physical affection throughout.
Development of your leash-handling skills.
Learning how to foster eye contact and engagement from your dog.
Instruction in how to incorporate the elements of Duration, Distraction, and Distance into your training with your dog.
Once commands are mastered, owners learn how to safely, fairly, and humanely apply corrections when necessary to foster reliability.
Available in a Weekly Private Lesson format only.

Walk Doctor Program

This program teaches you how to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash both in Heel and in a more casual “free-walk” and is best for those who have a reasonable obedience training foundation already but still haven’t mastered the walk. This program includes:

Learning how to walk your dog without them pulling, lunging, marking, weaving back and forth, etc.
Heel is taught and practiced, as well as a more casual free-walk that allows for sniffing / exploring while remaining engaged with you and not pulling.
Teach your dog about door thresholds and how to start a walk from a calm state of mind.
Initial training is at the Training Facility and next lesson is in your neighborhood (if within 15 miles of Lebanon…if not, a local neighborhood is utilized).
Training done via positive reinforcement using markers (clickers), treats / praise and/or affection and instruction is given in how to safely, fairly, and humanely give negative feedback when necessary, and later how to give corrections when needed.
Available in a Weekly Private Lesson format or 5-Day Residential Day-Training format.

How We Train

Our training programs emphasize:

A balanced approach to training with an emphasis on positive reinforcement (via markers / clickers, treats / praise / physical affection /play) in teaching and reinforcing new skills / behaviors, ensuring learning is enjoyable and effective.
Later, fair, humane corrections to foster reliability of commands are introduced. When necessary, fair, meaningful consequences, that make sense to the individual dog for inappropriate / unacceptable behaviors, are taught if needed.
Owner coaching and education is part of every program. You’ll work hands on during each lesson with our guidance and ongoing support (including between sessions via text, email or by phone during business hours).
Homework: Success requires commitment! Plan to spend 10-15 min. 3-4x/day outside of lesson sessions working on your own. You’ll get out of your program what you put into it.

Eligibility

To participate in our obedience training programs, dogs must:

Be at least 4 months of age.
Have had a recent vet exam / be in good health and current on vaccines (Titers are accepted for dogs over 16 months of age). Documentation of vaccination / titer required.
Owners or dogs with physical disabilities are welcome to train with us with accommodations made for each situation.

Your Dog's Journey to Good Behavior Starts Here!

Ready to take the first step toward a happier, more obedient dog? Whether you're tackling basic obedience or preparing for life with a new baby, we're here to help.

Contact us today at (513) 267-5390 to discuss your goals and enroll in one of our programs. Let's work together to create a calm, confident, and well-behaved companion you'll enjoy for years to come!

Consultation Request Call (513) 267-5390