A calm, structured pathway - from first walks to a confident adult dog
Small group walks designed to build real-world skills at every stage of your dog’s life. Purposeful, progressive, and guided every step of the way.
★ IMDT Qualified
Accredited trainer, force free methods
⌬ UK Charter Member
Dog Behaviour & Training Charter
☑ Small groups
Intentionally calm, individual focus
⏱︎ 5-week programmes
Structured, progressive, results-led
What is The Training Pathway?
Real-world training, where the real world actually is
The Training Pathway is a series of structured, small group walks designed to build calm, confident behaviour at every stage of your dog's life. Unlike classroom training, learning happens out in the world - around real distractions, real environments, and real situations. Each session is purposeful, guided, and carefully paced so your dog can actually absorb what they're learning.
Whether your dog is a curious puppy, a distracted teenager, or a mature dog who simply needs ongoing support - there's a stage on the Pathway for them.
Pathway at a glance
🟢 Puppy Social Foundations · Under 6 months
🟡 Adolescent Progression · 6 months+
🔵 The Calm Social Programme · Ongoing
You can join at any stage - no need to start at Stage 1
The Three Programmes
PROGRAMME 01
Puppy Social Foundations
Under 6 months
Calm exposure, early recall, lead walking, settling around other dogs
£150 · 5 weeks
PROGRAMME 02
Adolescent Progression
6 months and over
Reliability, distraction, impulse control, focus in real environments
£150 · 5 weeks
PROGRAMME 03
The Calm Social
Ongoing, any age
Maintaining and strengthening calm, confident behaviour in everyday life
£150 · 5-session block
↓ Scroll to read the full detail on each programme and book your place
PROGRAMME 01 - PUPPY
Puppy Social Foundations
Calm, guided socialisation for developing puppies in Basingstoke and surrounding areas
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Throughout the program, we focus on the essential foundations your puppy needs for everyday life.
This includes:
Calm, polite behaviour around other dogs
Early recall foundations
Loose lead walking skills
Engagement and focus around distractions
Learning to settle and observe rather than react
All learning is introduced naturally during the walk environment, allowing your puppy to develop skills in real-life situations, not isolation.
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This is a 5-week progressive programme, with each week building gently on the last to support steady development and lasting confidence.
Each session follows a consistent, structured format designed to keep puppies calm, supported and able to learn:
Controlled, on-lead start to help puppies settle
Gradual exposure to other dogs through parallel walking
Carefully managed, appropriate interactions where suitable
Built-in training moments throughout the walk
Time for sniffing, exploration, and decompression
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Groups are intentionally small to maintain a calm environment and allow for individual support throughout each session.
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This programme is ideal for:
Puppies under 6 months of age
Puppies who need calm, structured social exposure
Owners who want a guided, professional approach to early training
Puppies who may find busy environments overwhelming
Anyone wanting to build strong foundations from the start
As your puppy grows and begins to move through adolescence, many puppies naturally continue into the Adolescent Progression Programme to build on their foundations and develop greater reliability in real-world environments.
PROGRAMME 02 - ADOLESCENT
Adolescent Progression
Calm, guided development through adolescence - structure when you need it most
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As dogs move through adolescence, the focus shifts from learning new skills to using them reliably in everyday life. We will work on:
Strengthening recall around higher distractions
Improving loose lead-walking in real-world environments
Building focus and engagement outdoors
Developing impulse control and thoughtful responses
Encouraging calm, neutral behaviour around other dogs and people
The aim is to create dogs who can think before they react, even when the environment becomes more challenging.
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This is a progressive programme designed to be attended regularly, allowing skills to be reinforced and developed over time. As your dog grows in confidence, there is the option to continue on to The Calm Social Programme, offering steady, ongoing support as they develop.
Each session is carefully structured to support learning without overwhelm, allowing dogs to build confidence through experience:
Calm, controlled group walking
Gradual exposure to real-life distractions
Ongoing guidance and handling support
Opportunities to practice skills in different environments
Time for decompression and reset when needed
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Group sizes are intentionally small to ensure a calm atmosphere and provide individual support throughout.
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This programme is ideal for:
Dogs aged approximately 6 months and over
Dogs who have completed a foundations programme or have basic training in place
Owners wanting to improve reliability in real-world situations
Dogs who become more distracted or less responsive outdoors
Anyone looking for ongoing support through adolescence
Adolescence is a natural stage of development, but it can feel challenging without the right support. This programme provides the structure, guidance and consistency needed to help your dog navigate this phase and develop into a calm, reliable companion.
PROGRAMME 03 - ONGOING
The Calm Social
Ongoing support for calm, confident behaviour in real life - for dogs at any stage
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At this stage the focus is on strengthening and maintaining the skills your dog already has, helping them remain reliable in everyday life. We will work on:
Maintaining recall around real-world distractions
Reinforcing loose lead-walking in varied environments
Strengthening focus and engagement outdoors
Encouraging calm, neutral behaviour around other dogs and people
Supporting thoughtful, controlled responses rather than impulsive reactions
The aim is to help your dog remain steady, responsive, and easy to handle, even as environments change.
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The Calm Social Programme is designed to be attended regularly, offering ongoing support as your dog matures and their needs evolve.
Each session is guided and structured to support calm, balanced group dynamics while allowing dogs to learn through experience.
Controlled group walking with appropriate spacing
Exposure to a variety of real-life environments
Ongoing guidance and handling support
Opportunities to practice skills in practical situations
Time for decompression and relaxed exploration
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Group sizes remain intentionally small to ensure a calm atmosphere and provide individual support throughout.
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This programme is ideal for:
Dogs who have completed a foundations or adolescent programme
Dogs with basic training in place who need ongoing real-world practice
Owners who want to maintain and strengthen their dog’s behaviour
Dogs who benefit from structured, calm group exposure
Anyone looking for continued support beyond initial training
As dogs mature, consistency is what keeps their behaviour steady. These sessions provide a calm, structured environment where dogs can practise their skills in varied real-world settings - remaining reliable, responsive, and easy to handle as life changes around them.
Common Questions
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Not at all. You're welcome to join at whichever stage suits your dog. Not sure? Get in touch and we'll help you find the right fit.
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Traditional Puppy Classes and Dog Training Classes are often held in controlled indoor environments where dogs learn new skills through structured exercises.
The Doggie Dawdles Training Pathway takes a more real-world approach, helping puppies and dogs learn how to apply those skills calmly and confidently within everyday environments.
Rather than focusing solely on obedience exercises, learning is woven naturally into structured walks, guided social exposure, and practical real-life experiences. The focus is not just on teaching behaviours, but on helping dogs develop calmness, confidence, social understanding, and the ability to cope thoughtfully with the world around them.
This creates dogs who are not only trained, but able to navigate everyday life in a calm and balanced way.
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The Doggie Dawdles Training Pathway is designed around calm, structured learning and carefully managed group environments. Many dogs who are worried, overexcited, easily overwhelmed, or lacking confidence can benefit greatly from this approach.
However, dogs displaying more significant reactive behaviours may first benefit from one-to-one support before joining a group setting.
If you’re unsure, please feel free to get in touch before booking. I’ll always be honest about whether the programme feels like the right fit for your dog and can guide you towards the most appropriate support.
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Programmes are booked as a full 5-week block to help support consistency and steady progress for both dogs and owners.
As groups are kept intentionally small and carefully balanced, sessions are non-transferable and refunds cannot be offered for missed weeks.
This approach helps create a calm, familiar environment where dogs can settle, build confidence, and learn alongside the same group each week.
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Sessions take place in a variety of carefully chosen outdoor locations including Down Grange Park, Old Down Park, Beggarwood Woodland Park, The War Memorial Park, and the Town Centre.
Locations are selected to provide the right balance of space, calmness, and real-world learning opportunities for the group.
Full location details, along with your programme schedule and joining information, will be provided ahead of the programme start date.
Ready to start the journey?
Not sure which programme is right for your dog? Get in touch and Tracey will help you choose.
Also from Doggie Dawdles
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Training Classes
Indoor group classes at Viables Community Centre. Puppy, adolescent, and IMDT grades.
View training classes →
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1-2-1 & Behaviour Support
For dogs who aren't ready for groups yet, or need specialist behavioural support.
View 1-2-1 sessions →
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Dog Walking
Regular walking services for busy owners. Trusted, caring, and tailored to your dog.
View dog walking →