How to Prepare for Your First Dog Training Session: A Complete Guide
A family plays with their yellow Labrador in their living room after a fun first dog training lesson.
🐾 Welcome to Channeled Canine Coaching!
Whether you've already booked your first dog training session with us — congratulations! — or you're simply exploring your options and gathering information, welcome! You’re already on the right path toward building a better bond with your dog.
This guide will walk you through how to prepare for your first training session with Channeled Canine Coaching. We'll explain what to expect, how we structure our sessions, and the simple steps you can take to set you and your dog up for success.
Every trainer has their own style, and this guide is specifically tailored to our approach. At Channeled Canine Coaching, we proudly offer both in-home lessons across North Metro Atlanta and virtual sessions for clients worldwide. Our goal is to make professional training accessible, whether you’re working with us in person or connecting from the comfort of your home.
At Channeled Canine Coaching, we believe in understanding your dog’s unique personality, learning your goals, and creating a customized training plan that works for your lifestyle.
Let’s get you and your pup started on the right paw! 🐾
📋 What to Expect During Your First Session
Your first session is all about understanding your dog and your goals. Here’s how it will flow:
📝 Assessment and Information Gathering:
We’ll discuss your dog’s history, personality, and any behavior challenges you’re facing.
We’ll ask about your training goals — what you want your dog to learn and how you want them to behave in your home.
From here we will determine which package option makes the most sense to tackle our goals.
📊 Customized Training Plan Development:
Based on your goals, we’ll design a personalized training plan for you and your dog.
This plan will include management strategies (preventing problem behaviors) and training techniques.
🎓 Skill Introduction:
If time allows, we may introduce 1-2 foundational cues or behaviors, depending on your goals.
Examples: Introduction to a marker word, the name game, or step 1 of an obedience cue.
🗣️ Lots of Coaching and Guidance:
Our trainers will demonstrate each exercise step-by-step, but the real work begins with you.
Success depends on:
Your consistency.
Regular practice.
Proper management of your dog’s environment.
📚 Homework and Training Outline:
After the session, you’ll receive a detailed training outline with clear, actionable steps to practice and reinforce what we covered.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any follow-up questions via email between sessions.
🛠️ What to Have Ready for Your First Session
✅ Your Dog: Make sure they are on a leash and wearing their collar or harness.
✅ High-Value Treats: Bring a variety of soft, tiny, easy-to-eat treats that your dog loves. Aim to have 3-4 treat options on hand, including one that could be their kibble if they’re motivated by it. This variety helps keep your dog engaged, especially if they get bored with one option.
👉 Check out our guide on the best treats for training here.
✅ An Empty Stomach: Your dog will be more motivated to work if they’re a bit hungry. While the first session may focus more on information gathering than training, future sessions will involve more hands-on practice. To prepare, you can feed them a quarter/half of their breakfast and save the rest for training. Any leftover food can be incorporated into their dinner or used for enrichment activities throughout the day.
✅ Treat Pouch: This helps with fast, clean reward timing.
👉 Check out my favorite treat pouch here.
✅ Favorite Toy or Enrichment Item: If we are not working on resource guarding, bring a toy they love for play-based rewards or an enrichment item to keep them engaged during conversation-heavy parts of the session. I recommend a novel toy they don’t get that often for periods where they may become bored.
👉 A great toy for strong chewers
👉 One of our favorite puppy chews
✅ A Sturdy Leash: For indoor training, we recommend a lightweight, standard 5-6 foot leash for easy control.
👉 Standard 6ft Indoor Leash
👉 Leather Training Leash for Strong Pullers
✅ A Sturdy Collar: We recommend a flat collar with identification.
For escape artists, strong pullers, or dogs with aggressive tendencies, a martingale collar is a safer option.
👉 Flat Collar Options
👉 Standard Martingale — Recommended if clipping leash to collar to prevent slipping out.
👉 Martingale for Aggressive Tendencies or Flight Risk
✅ Training Space: Choose a quiet, distraction-free area where we can focus.
✅ Family Members: Anyone involved in the dog’s training can attend, but it is not required. If children are present, have an activity ready for them to keep them occupied, as sitting through a full hour may be challenging — especially during the first session, which may involve more discussion than hands-on training. Children are welcome to participate, but if you feel they may be distracting, consider arranging alternative childcare.
Heads up: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something I’ve shared, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). I only recommend tools and products I personally use or love. Read my full disclaimer here
📌 Important Safety Note for In-Home Lessons:
If any pet in your home is aggressive, please let us know ahead of time. For safety, ensure they are confined with a sturdy leash/collar or in a crate/another room before we arrive. We want to start the session on a positive, safe, controlled note. If your dog typically wears a muzzle meeting new people, please have that securely on prior to our arrival.
Even if your dog is not aggressive, we recommend having them on a leash for our first meeting. This allows us to assess their behavior and maintain control from the start.
🌐 For Our Virtual Clients:
If you’re joining us for a virtual training session, these preparation tips still apply. While the excitement of a new person entering your home won’t be a factor, it’s still a good idea to have your dog’s leash, collar, and training tools ready.
Your dog won’t need to be on leash at the start of the session, but having it nearby allows us to quickly jump into training if needed. This ensures you can keep your dog close and engaged as we guide you through the exercises.
🏆 How Success is Measured: It’s About Consistency
Your dog’s progress is directly tied to how consistently you practice and manage their environment. Here’s what that means:
Consistency: Are you practicing the skills we covered a few minutes each day?
Management: Are you preventing your dog from rehearsing problem behaviors (like jumping, nipping, or counter-surfing)?
Family Involvement: Is everyone in the home following the same training plan?
Patience and Flexibility: Life gets busy, and we get it. If you didn’t practice every day, that’s okay. We’ll pick up where we left off.
💡 Understanding Our Role vs. Your Role
Our Role: We’re your coaches and guides. We will teach you how to train your dog using science-based, positive methods.
Your Role: You are the trainer for your dog. Our job is to teach you, and your job is to practice and implement what you’ve learned.
Remember: Success is a partnership. We can give you all the tools, but it’s up to you to use them.
🚦 Understanding Our Training Structure
Frequency: We recommend sessions every 1-2 weeks to give you enough time to practice. Be prepared to pre-book a few lessons by the end of your session with your trainer if you have not already done so.
Number of Skills: We typically introduce 1-3 new cues or behaviors per session.
Progress Tracking: We will build on what we covered in previous sessions.
Homework Outline: You will receive a clear training plan and homework after each session.
😥 What If You Didn’t Practice? That’s Okay!
We understand that life gets busy. If you didn’t get a chance to practice, don’t stress. Just be honest with us, and we will adjust our plan as needed. Even a few minutes of practice is better than nothing, and managing your dog’s environment (like preventing jumping or chewing) is just as important.
💡 Your Dog’s Success Depends on You
The more you practice, the faster your dog will learn. But remember, training is a journey, not a race. If you follow the plan, stay consistent, and keep your training sessions fun, you will see progress.
🔄 What Happens After Your First Session?
You’ll receive a homework outline summarizing what we covered and the skills to practice.
You can reach out via email with any questions that come up between sessions.
We will build on your progress in each subsequent session.
Practice, practice, practice!
🐾 Additional Tips for a Successful Training Journey
1. Set Realistic Expectations:
Training is a process, not a one-time fix. Some dogs pick up new skills quickly, while others take time. Be patient with yourself and your dog.
2. Keep Training Sessions Short:
5-10 minutes of focused training is often more effective than an hour of repetition. You can always do multiple short sessions throughout the day.
3. Use a Variety of Rewards:
Food is great, but praise, toys, and even access to a favorite spot can be powerful rewards. Keep it fun and mix it up.
4. Make Training Part of Everyday Life:
You don’t have to set aside a special time to train. Ask for a “sit” before putting the leash on, or a “wait” before going out the door. Consistency in real-life situations is key.
5. Adjust for Your Dog’s Learning Style:
Some dogs are food-motivated, while others are toy-driven or crave praise. Pay attention to what makes your dog’s tail wag and use it to your advantage. Let your trainer know what your dog is motivated by.
6. Remember: Training Should Be Fun!
If you or your dog are feeling frustrated, take a break. Training should build your bond, not create stress.
💡 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Expecting Perfection Too Soon: Your dog is learning — mistakes are part of the process. Stay patient.
Being Inconsistent: If some family members allow behaviors while others don’t, it can confuse your dog. Make sure everyone is on the same page.
Skipping Management: If you can’t actively supervise your dog, use management tools like baby gates, crates, or tethers to prevent them from practicing unwanted behaviors.
Not Pre-Booking Training: Make sure to schedule out your training sessions and stick to them. Consistency is key, even if you did not practice in between! We do fill up quickly, so it’s important to grab your slots in advanced.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my dog doesn’t seem interested in the treats I have?
A: Not all treats are equally motivating. Try a variety of high-value options like chicken, cheese, or hot dogs. You can also experiment with different textures (soft, crunchy, freeze-dried). Talk to your trainer on unique ideas to motivate your dog. Explore our training guide on Different Types of Training Treats
Q: Can I train two dogs at the same time?
A: We can work with all your dogs living in the household during our sessions, but in the beginning we do recommend training one dog at a time for best results. Once they’re more advanced, you can work with them together and your trainer will coach you through that.
Q: My dog knows the cue at home, but not in public. Why?
A: Dogs don’t automatically generalize behaviors to new environments. Practice the same skill in different locations, starting with quiet places and gradually increasing distractions. Let your trainer know and they will coach you on proofing known cues in public.
Q: How do I handle setbacks or regressions?
A: It’s normal for dogs to experience setbacks, especially during new stages of development (like adolescence). Stay consistent, and we will adjust your training plan if needed.
Q: Can we train somewhere other than my home?
A: Yes, absolutely. For the first session, we recommend starting at your home. This allows us to assess your dog’s behavior in their natural environment and create a personalized training plan. Once we establish your training goals and develop a plan, we can gradually introduce new locations as part of the training process. This often means starting with controlled, low-distraction environments (like your home or backyard) and then progressing to more challenging settings, such as parks or pet stores. Your trainer will guide you on when and how to make these transitions. Be sure to communicate your goals so we can tailor the training to your needs.
💬 Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you are a new client waiting for your first lesson, please feel free to reach out to us directly at info@channeledcaninecoaching.com or contact your assigned trainer for any immediate questions. We’re here to support you.
If you are a prospective client or someone working with another trainer and looking to prepare, feel free to leave a comment below, or send your inquiries through our contact page. We’re happy to help you get set up for success. And let us know… what goals do you have for your dog’s first training lesson?
🐾 Ready to Get Started? Book Your First Session
If you haven’t already booked your first session, now is the perfect time to get started. At Channeled Canine Coaching, we offer a range of training options to suit your needs:
In-Home Training: Perfect for clients in the North Metro Atlanta area. We come to you, working in your dog’s familiar environment for personalized guidance.
Virtual Training: Available worldwide, offering one-on-one coaching from the comfort of your home. Ideal for clients who want expert guidance without the need for travel.
Puppy Training: Set your puppy up for success with foundational skills, socialization, and confidence-building.
Behavior Modification: For dogs struggling with anxiety, reactivity, aggression, or other complex behaviors.
Service Dog Support: Guidance for task training, public access skills, and behavior management to help your dog succeed as a service animal.
Therapy Dog Preparation: Train your dog for therapy work, including calm behavior around strangers and reliable obedience.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep: Prepare your dog for the CGC test, building a solid foundation of polite, well-mannered behavior.
No matter your dog’s age, size, or experience level, we’re here to help you build a strong bond and achieve real results.
👉 Click here to learn more about our services and find the best option for you and your dog.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to us through our contact page or leave a comment below. We’re excited to work with you! 🐾
About the Author
Jackie Audette is the founder and head trainer at Channeled Canine Coaching based out of Alpharetta, GA, and virtually servicing clients worldwide. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI), with over a decade of experience working with pet dogs, service dogs, and complex behavior cases. Jackie holds a bachelors degree in Animal Science and specializes in modern, reward-based training that builds trust and real-life results.
