GPK9 Dog Training Guidance & Online Support

Welcome to GPK9 Dog Training Guidance. This page explains how our training courses fit together, where to start and how to choose the right learning pathway for you and your dog.

Whether you are new to dog training, working through everyday behaviour challenges, developing obedience or progressing towards protection dog training, GPK9 helps you identify the courses that best match your experience and goals.

Explore the complete GPK9 Training Courses catalogue to view the available programmes.

Where Should I Start with GPK9?

Q: I am new to dog training. Which courses should I start with?

We recommend starting with The Five Golden Rules and FUSS With Purpose. These courses introduce the foundations of everyday dog ownership, communication, behaviour, motivation and interaction.

The Five Golden Rules covers five important areas: Home & Social, Obedience, Prey Drive, Toilet and Social Walking.

FUSS With Purpose complements these foundations by helping you understand how your dog responds to affection, touch, petting, cuddling, play, food, praise and everyday interaction.

Q: Why should I learn the foundations first?

Your dog's everyday experiences can influence how it responds to training. Home routines, social experiences, motivation, communication and walking all contribute to the wider picture.

The Five Golden Rules introduces the main areas of everyday training. FUSS encourages you to consider your dog's experience of your actions and how it responds. Together, they help you make more informed decisions as you progress.

Q: Do I have to complete every course?

No. Choose courses according to your experience, your dog's needs and your goals. You can select a specific Behaviour & Everyday course, explore a Specialist course or follow the structured obedience pathway.

If your goal is to progress through GPK9's protection training pathway towards Level 3, we recommend completing the relevant courses in order and following all programme requirements.

The Five Golden Rules

The Five Golden Rules provides a foundation for understanding your dog's everyday life and the areas that influence training. It is a recommended starting point for new learners.

Golden Rule 1 — Home & Social

Golden Rule One — Home and Social teaches you about your dog's home environment, everyday routines, boundaries and social experiences. This helps you understand the importance of creating suitable conditions for learning and everyday life.

FUSS With Purpose complements this by helping you consider how your dog experiences affection, handling, attention and play.

Golden Rule 2 — Obedience

Golden Rule Two — Obedience introduces communication, commands, consistency and appropriate responses. This provides context for teaching your dog what you want it to do.

FUSS encourages you to consider whether your dog understands and responds to your interactions, helping you develop clearer communication during training.

Golden Rule 3 — Prey Drive

Golden Rule Three — Prey Drive explores the role of prey drive, motivation and play in dog training. Understanding what motivates your dog can help you make more informed decisions about engagement and rewards.

FUSS complements this by encouraging you to observe how your dog responds to play, attention and other interactions.

Golden Rule 4 — Toilet

Golden Rule Four — Toilet introduces the foundations of toilet training, including routine, supervision, suitable opportunities and consistent responses.

FUSS encourages you to observe your dog's behaviour and respond appropriately rather than making assumptions about what your dog needs.

Golden Rule 5 — Social Walking

Golden Rule Five — Social Walking introduces walking, handling, communication, environmental awareness and appropriate behaviour outdoors.

FUSS helps you consider your dog's responses to handling and interaction while Social Walking focuses on the wider experience of being out together.

The Five Golden Rules — Overview

The Five Golden Rules overview brings the five areas together to help you understand how they form a wider training foundation. New learners can use it alongside the individual Golden Rules before moving into more specific training.

FUSS With Purpose

Q: What is FUSS With Purpose?

FUSS — Understanding Your Dog Through Affection, Emotion and Everyday Interaction helps you consider how your dog experiences the things you do every day.

Your intention and your dog's experience may not always be the same. An interaction you intend to be positive may not be welcomed in the way you expect.

The course encourages you to observe your dog, interpret its responses, make appropriate decisions, communicate clearly and reassess what happens next.

Q: How does FUSS connect to the other courses?

The Five Golden Rules introduces everyday foundations, while FUSS focuses more closely on your dog's experience of interaction. Behaviour & Everyday courses address specific situations, and Specialist courses explore particular training subjects in greater depth.

FUSS complements these subjects by encouraging you to consider your dog's responses rather than assuming that every dog experiences the same interaction in the same way.

Obedience Training — Fundamentals

Fundamentals 1, Fundamentals 2 and Fundamentals 3 provide a structured route for developing obedience skills through different stages of training. Choose the appropriate course according to your dog's experience and training needs.

Fundamentals 1

Fundamentals 1 is the starting point for structured obedience learning. It is suitable for handlers who want to develop their understanding of obedience and build a foundation for everyday training.

The Obedience Golden Rule provides the wider context for communication and responses. FUSS encourages you to consider how your dog experiences your guidance and rewards.

Fundamentals 2

Fundamentals 2 builds on earlier learning and develops your dog's obedience and responsiveness. Progress when you are ready to develop the skills introduced at the previous stage.

The course builds on the foundations of communication and interaction. FUSS helps you remain aware of your dog's responses while you develop greater consistency in training.

Fundamentals 3

Fundamentals 3 continues the structured progression through obedience training and helps prepare you for more advanced learning.

The Five Golden Rules provides the wider foundation, while FUSS encourages you to observe your dog's responses and adjust your approach appropriately.

Q: What comes after the Fundamentals?

Once you have developed the relevant foundations, you can choose an advanced course according to your goals. Options include Advanced Luring, the 90-Day Transformation and Advanced Tracking.

Advanced Obedience Training

Advanced Luring

Advanced Luring focuses on developing precision, engagement, positioning and responsiveness through lure-based training techniques. It explores how to guide your dog clearly and use food rewards effectively.

The Obedience Golden Rule provides the foundation for teaching responses. Prey Drive introduces motivation, while FUSS encourages you to observe how your dog responds to the rewards and interactions you use.

90-Day Transformation

The 90-Day Transformation provides a structured programme for developing focus, engagement, obedience and control through consistent training.

The Five Golden Rules helps you understand the wider context of everyday behaviour, while FUSS encourages you to pay attention to your dog's responses throughout the training process.

Advanced Tracking

Advanced Tracking focuses on developing tracking skills through progressive training. It is intended for handlers who want to develop their understanding of tracking and related training activities.

The foundations help you understand communication and motivation, while the tracking course focuses on the specific skills required for this activity.

Q: Do I need to complete every advanced course?

Not necessarily. Choose the advanced course that matches your goals and follow any stated prerequisites. If you want a broader training foundation, start with the Five Golden Rules, FUSS and the appropriate Fundamentals course before progressing.

Behaviour & Everyday — Online Courses

Behaviour & Everyday courses focus on specific challenges and skills encountered in daily life with your dog. Start with the foundations if you are new to GPK9, then select the course that best matches your dog's needs.

Behaviour & Everyday Courses — Overview

The Behaviour & Everyday Courses overview helps you explore the available subjects and identify the course that best matches the behaviour or skill you want to understand.

Puppy Training Foundations

Puppy Training Foundations introduces early learning, communication, engagement and everyday routines to help your puppy adjust to life with people. Home & Social and Obedience provide the wider foundations, while FUSS encourages you to consider how your puppy experiences handling, attention and rewards.

Puppy Toilet Training

Puppy Toilet Training covers toilet routines, recognising signals, supervision and rewarding success. This course develops the subject introduced in Golden Rule 4 — Toilet. FUSS encourages you to observe your puppy and respond appropriately during everyday situations.

Puppy Biting, Chewing and Mouthing

Puppy Biting, Chewing and Mouthing helps you understand common puppy behaviours and suitable ways to manage them. Home & Social provides context for household routines, Prey Drive introduces play and motivation, and FUSS encourages you to consider how your puppy responds to touch, play and redirection.

If the behaviour causes injury or raises safety concerns, seek an appropriate professional assessment.

Crate Training and Settling

Crate Training and Settling covers introducing a crate appropriately, developing comfort and establishing suitable settling routines. Home & Social provides the everyday context, while FUSS encourages you to consider your dog's comfort and responses. A crate should not be used as punishment.

Home Training and House Rules

Home Training and House Rules explains how routines, boundaries and consistent expectations can support everyday life at home. This course relates directly to Home & Social, while FUSS helps you consider how attention, handling and daily interactions influence your dog's experience.

Basic Obedience and Commands

Basic Obedience and Commands develops an understanding of basic commands, clear cues, recall, attention and consistent practice. This course builds on Golden Rule 2 — Obedience. FUSS encourages you to consider whether your dog understands and responds to your communication.

If you want a more structured obedience pathway, consider Fundamentals 1, Fundamentals 2 and Fundamentals 3.

Lead Training and Walking Foundations

Lead Training and Walking Foundations covers lead skills, attention outdoors and developing more manageable walks. This course builds on Golden Rule 5 — Social Walking. FUSS encourages you to observe your dog's responses to handling and interaction during walks.

If your dog displays serious reactivity or aggression outdoors, seek appropriate professional guidance before entering situations that could create a safety risk.

Socialisation and Social Skills

Socialisation and Social Skills helps you understand appropriate experiences with people, dogs, places and environments while considering your dog's comfort. Home & Social provides the wider context, while FUSS encourages you to recognise how your dog responds to interaction.

Socialisation should not mean forcing your dog to interact. Experiences should be suitable for the individual dog.

Barking and Vocal Behaviour

Barking and Vocal Behaviour explores barking and other vocal behaviours by considering the situation, possible triggers and your dog's responses. Home & Social helps you consider the environment and routine, while FUSS encourages you to observe rather than assume every bark has the same cause.

Jumping, Chewing and Mouthing

Jumping, Chewing and Mouthing covers common everyday behaviours and suitable management and training responses. Home & Social provides the context for household boundaries, Obedience supports communication, and FUSS encourages you to consider how attention and interaction may affect behaviour.

For puppy-specific biting concerns, also consider Puppy Biting, Chewing and Mouthing.

Behaviour, Calmness and Self-Control

Behaviour, Calmness and Self-Control covers settling, patience, managing excitement and developing more appropriate responses in everyday situations. Home & Social provides the context for routines, Obedience supports communication, and FUSS encourages you to observe your dog's responses to activities and interactions.

Separation and Being Left Alone

Separation and Being Left Alone helps you understand the challenges some dogs experience when separated from their people. Home & Social provides context for routines and the home environment, while FUSS encourages you to consider your dog's responses rather than treating distress as deliberate disobedience.

Persistent distress or panic when left alone may require individual support from an appropriately qualified professional.

Fear, Confidence and Anxiety

Fear, Confidence and Anxiety explores fear, uncertainty and anxiety, and the importance of adapting training to your dog's needs. Home & Social provides context for everyday experiences, while FUSS encourages you to observe how your dog responds to handling, affection and other interactions.

If fear or anxiety is severe, persistent or worsening, seek appropriate professional support. Do not force your dog into situations that cause significant distress.

Aggression and Reactivity

Aggression and Reactivity covers understanding these behaviours, recognising triggers and managing situations responsibly. Home & Social and Social Walking provide context for everyday situations, Obedience introduces communication, and FUSS encourages you to consider your dog's responses.

Aggression and reactivity can have different causes and levels of risk. Online learning does not replace an individual assessment where safety is a concern.

If you are concerned about aggression or the risk of injury, stop the activity and contact a suitable professional for an assessment.

Older Dogs and Rescue Dogs

Older Dogs and Rescue Dogs explores how age, previous experiences, confidence and individual needs can affect a dog's training. The Five Golden Rules provides the everyday foundation, while FUSS encourages you to consider the dog's comfort and responses rather than assuming every dog will learn in the same way.

Specialist — Online Courses

Specialist courses explore particular aspects of dog training in greater depth. They are useful when you want to develop your understanding beyond general everyday training.

Specialist Courses — Overview

The Specialist Courses overview helps you explore the available subjects and choose what you want to understand more deeply. The Five Golden Rules and FUSS provide a useful foundation for considering everyday behaviour, motivation and interaction.

K9 Communication

K9 Communication explores communication between dogs and people, including recognising and interpreting behavioural signals. The Obedience Golden Rule provides context for communication during training, while FUSS encourages you to observe how your dog responds to your interactions.

K9 Communication in Motion

K9 Communication in Motion explores communication while moving through everyday environments and activities. Social Walking provides context for communication outdoors, while FUSS encourages you to consider your dog's responses during movement and interaction.

Read Your Dog

Read Your Dog develops your understanding of dog behaviour and encourages you to consider signs of comfort, uncertainty, stress and excitement. The Five Golden Rules provides everyday contexts for observing behaviour, while FUSS reinforces the importance of considering your dog's response to your actions.

Dog Training Methods

Dog Training Methods explores different approaches to training and how guidance, repetition, motivation and reinforcement can influence learning. Obedience provides the practical context for teaching responses, while FUSS encourages you to consider how your dog experiences interactions and rewards.

Dog Training Equipment

Dog Training Equipment covers training equipment and the importance of selecting and using suitable tools responsibly. Social Walking provides context for leads and walking equipment, while FUSS encourages you to consider your dog's response to handling and equipment.

Training Progression and Advancement

Training Progression and Advancement explains how to develop training gradually, recognise readiness for progression and adapt difficulty to your dog's demonstrated skills. The Five Golden Rules establishes the wider foundation, while FUSS encourages you to observe your dog's responses and reassess your approach.

Food, Rewards and Food Motivation

Food, Rewards and Food Motivation explores how food rewards can support engagement and learning, including reward timing, motivation and value. Prey Drive introduces motivation, Obedience provides the training context, and FUSS encourages you to consider how your dog responds to rewards.

Play, Toys and Motivation

Play, Toys and Motivation explores using play and toys to develop engagement, enthusiasm and interaction within structured training. Prey Drive provides the foundation for understanding play and motivation, while FUSS encourages you to observe how your dog responds to different activities.

Protection Dog Training

GPK9's course catalogue includes a separate protection training pathway for learners who want to progress through structured protection training. Protection work requires appropriate practical instruction, responsible handling and attention to safety. Online courses alone do not replace suitable hands-on supervision.

Q: I have no dog training experience. Where should I start?

Start with The Five Golden Rules and FUSS With Purpose to develop your understanding of everyday behaviour, communication and interaction. You can then consider the relevant obedience foundations before progressing into protection training.

Level 1 Protection Dog Training is the starting level within the GPK9 protection pathway. Follow the course guidance and prerequisites, and seek appropriate professional supervision for practical protection work.

Level 1 Protection Dog Training

Level 1 Protection Dog Training is the entry level within the GPK9 protection training pathway. It introduces the starting stage of protection training for handlers working towards developing their dog's skills and control.

The Five Golden Rules and FUSS can help build your wider understanding of behaviour, communication and motivation, but they do not replace the specific instruction and safety measures required for protection work.

Level 2 Protection Dog Training

Level 2 Protection Dog Training is for learners progressing beyond the earlier stage of the protection pathway. Before advancing, complete the required earlier training and follow the programme's prerequisites.

Developing broader obedience, communication and specialist knowledge can support your understanding, but progression should depend on your dog's suitability, training history and practical performance.

Level 3 Protection Dog Training

Level 3 Protection Dog Training is the advanced stage of the GPK9 protection pathway. It is intended for learners who have developed the necessary foundations and completed the required earlier stages.

If your goal is Level 3, we recommend following the GPK9 programme in order, building your foundations, completing Levels 1 and 2 and meeting the relevant requirements before progressing.

Masterclass — 6 Weeks to Adult Dog

The Masterclass — 6 Weeks to Adult Dog is GPK9's full-access training option for learners who want to access the wider online programme. Check the current product information for the included courses, sessions, fees and any additional requirements before purchasing.

Q: Does full access mean I can skip straight to Level 3?

No. Access to courses is different from being ready to progress. Follow the required learning sequence, complete the earlier stages and obtain appropriate practical supervision where necessary.

Q: Who should consider the Masterclass?

The Masterclass may suit learners who want to access the wider GPK9 programme rather than selecting individual courses. Check the current Masterclass product details for the courses included and any applicable terms and conditions.

Which GPK9 Training Route Is Right for Me?

Q: I am completely new to dog training. What route should I follow?

Start with The Five Golden Rules and FUSS With Purpose. Then choose the Behaviour & Everyday or Specialist courses that match your needs. If you want a structured obedience pathway, progress through Fundamentals 1, Fundamentals 2 and Fundamentals 3 before selecting suitable advanced training.

Q: I already know the basics and want to improve obedience. What should I do?

Choose the appropriate Fundamentals course according to your existing experience, then consider advanced training. Options include Advanced Luring, the 90-Day Transformation and Advanced Tracking. Select according to your goals and any course prerequisites.

Q: My main concern is everyday behaviour. Do I need every obedience course?

No. Choose the Behaviour & Everyday course that best matches your concern. If you are new to GPK9, the foundations can help you understand the wider context before you focus on a specific behaviour.

Q: I want to understand my dog more deeply. Which courses should I consider?

Begin with the Five Golden Rules and FUSS, then explore Specialist courses that match your interests. K9 Communication, K9 Communication in Motion, Read Your Dog, Dog Training Methods and Training Progression and Advancement each focus on a different area.

Q: I want to train a protection dog. Should I choose Level 1 or the Masterclass?

Level 1 is the starting point within the protection pathway, while the Masterclass provides access to the wider programme under its current terms. If you have no training experience, develop your foundations first. Whichever option you choose, follow the programme sequence and obtain appropriate practical supervision.

Q: Can I buy individual courses?

Yes. You can select individual courses according to your needs and goals. The wider pathway is useful if you want to develop knowledge across multiple subjects or work towards the advanced protection levels.

How the GPK9 Training System Fits Together

GPK9 connects everyday foundations with more focused and advanced training. Each course has a particular purpose, allowing you to choose the learning that matches your experience and your dog's needs.

• The Five Golden Rules: Introduces the foundations of everyday life with your dog.
• FUSS With Purpose: Helps you consider your dog's experience of affection, emotion and everyday interaction.
• Fundamentals 1, Fundamentals 2 and Fundamentals 3: Provides a structured route for developing obedience skills.
• Advanced Obedience Training: Offers further options, including Advanced Luring, the 90-Day Transformation and Advanced Tracking.
• Behaviour & Everyday: Focuses on specific everyday challenges and skills.
• Specialist courses: Develop knowledge of particular training subjects in greater depth.
• Protection Dog Training: Provides a separate progression through Levels 1, 2 and 3, subject to the programme's requirements.
• Masterclass: Provides the full-access option under the current product terms.

GPK9 Online Training Support

Q: What if I need help choosing a course?

Identify your main goal first. Consider whether you need general dog training knowledge, help understanding an everyday behaviour, improved obedience, specialist knowledge or a structured protection training pathway.

If you are unsure, explore the GPK9 Training Courses catalogue or contact GPK9 for guidance on the most appropriate course.

Q: Can online training replace an individual professional assessment?

Not in every situation. Online courses provide education and guidance, but some behavioural concerns and practical activities require individual assessment and in-person professional support.

This is particularly important where aggression, serious reactivity, fear, significant anxiety or protection work raises safety concerns.

Q: Where can I see all the available courses?

Visit the GPK9 Training Courses page to explore the available programmes and choose the courses that match your requirements.

Start with the foundations. Choose the right learning pathway. Build your understanding one step at a time with GPK9.