What Is the 5-Day Bootcamp?

The 5-Day Bootcamp (formerly called the Kickstarter Program) is a focused immersion program designed to establish foundational obedience, build engagement, and introduce calm communication through positive reinforcement.

This is not a quick fix or magic solution. This is the beginning of a training relationship—a reset that gives you and your dog the tools, structure, and clarity needed to continue building together.

✅ This Program IS:

• A structured obedience & behavior foundation
• Real-world exposure done safely and intentionally
• Clear communication training (not force-based)
• Designed to support future adventures and training goals
• Foundation for more advanced programs

❌ This Program IS NOT:

• A full 6-week board & train
• A shortcut to perfection
• A replacement for handler follow-through
• A punishment-based system
• Appropriate for severe reactivity or aggression

Remember: Dogs don't fail programs. Inconsistency does.

What's Included in Your Bootcamp

📅

3-5 Day Training

Daily drop-off sessions Monday through Friday. Choose 3-day or 5-day option based on your dog's needs.

🎓

Handler Transfer

Live demonstration and hands-on coaching on final day. You'll practice with your dog under professional guidance.

📖

Take-Home Guide

Custom training plan with clear instructions for continued progress at home. Simple, actionable homework.

🔄

Follow-Up Session

30-minute evaluation within 7 days to troubleshoot, adjust techniques, and ensure you're on track.

Plus: E-Collar Conditioning (If Appropriate)

E-collar introduction is optional and only used when appropriate for your dog's temperament. When introduced, it's done carefully at the lowest functional level and always paired with positive reinforcement. Our goal is clear communication—not correction.

Day-by-Day Journey

Here's exactly what happens each day. Every dog learns at their own pace, so we adjust based on progress, temperament, and response to training.

1

Day 1 — Assessment & Engagement

Getting to know your dog and building the foundation for clear communication.

Focus Areas:

Understanding the dog • Building trust • Reading body language • Establishing communication

• Temperament and personality evaluation — Understanding how your dog communicates and learns
• Intro to clicker/reward system — Teaching the marker system for clear timing
• Name recognition & eye contact — Making your name the best predictor of good things
• Start Sit and Down — Foundation obedience with leash guidance and rewards
• E-collar fitting and response testing — (If appropriate) Lowest level only, no pressure, just observation
• Heel position introduction — Teaching your dog where "with you" means
• Loose leash walking basics — With turns, marking good decisions, building awareness

Day 1 Goal: Create trust, establish communication, and identify your dog's learning style.

2

Day 2 — Leash Basics & Communication

Building on yesterday's foundation with refined leash work and clear communication.

Focus Areas:

Movement • Guidance • Calm leadership • Reward timing • Early recall

• Refining leash walking — Adding turns, direction changes, and awareness
• Marking and reward timing — Teaching your dog that calm, focused behavior earns clarity
• Automatic sits — When handler stops, dog sits without being asked
• Begin 'Come' recall — With leash and reward, teaching that coming when called is always a good decision
• E-collar adjustment — (If in use) Adjust based on dog's feedback from Day 1

Day 2 Goal: Teach the dog how to move with a human instead of against them.

3

Day 3 — Structure & Duration

Building reliability and impulse control through duration work and distractions.

Focus Areas:

Reliability • Impulse control • Duration • Small distractions • Nervous system regulation

• Increase duration — Longer holds on Sit and Down, teaching patience
• Introduce Place command — Mat or cot work, teaching your dog to settle on a designated spot
• Add small distractions — Toys, noise, movement—teaching calm decision-making
• Continue leash walking — With automatic sits and better focus
• Maintaining criteria — Reinforcing calm holds without pressure or rushing

Day 3 Goal: Teach the dog to hold behaviors calmly—not rush through them.

4

Day 4 (Optional) — Reinforcement & Challenges

Building confidence and starting to proof skills in real-world scenarios.

Focus Areas:

Confidence building • Real-world exposure • Outdoor recall • Environmental challenges

• Confidence-building obstacles — Steps, different surfaces, light environmental challenges
• Start long-line recall outdoors — Giving your dog more freedom and distance to practice coming when called
• Real-world scenarios — Working obedience in slightly harder, more distracting environments
• Building reliability — Practicing skills in new contexts and conditions

Day 4 Goal: Build reliability in slightly harder scenarios and prepare for real-world adventures.

5

Day 5 (Optional) — Owner Transfer & Practice

The most important day: You learn to work with your trained dog.

Focus Areas:

Handler education • Live transfer • Troubleshooting • Homework plan • Confidence building

• Live demonstration — Watch every command demonstrated clearly
• Hands-on coaching — You practice with your dog under professional guidance
• Review custom training plan — Clear homework and at-home structure recommendations
• Provide resources — Take-home guide and tools for continued success
• Build your confidence — Learn proper timing, body language, and troubleshooting

Day 5 Goal: You leave with confidence, a clear plan, and the ability to maintain what we've built.

Choose Your Duration

3-Day Bootcamp

Days 1-3: Foundation training, engagement, basic obedience, leash manners

Best for: Dogs needing basic structure and leash skills

5-Day Bootcamp (Recommended)

Days 1-5: Everything above PLUS confidence work, outdoor recall, and full handler transfer

Best for: Dogs needing comprehensive foundation and confident handler transition

Perfect For

🐕

Dogs 5+ Months Old

Young dogs or adolescents needing structure and foundational obedience

🏠

New Adoptees

Recently adopted dogs needing clarity, routine, and communication

🚶

Leash Manners Issues

Dogs who pull, dart, or have no leash structure

🎯

Training Beginners

Dogs with little to no prior training who need a solid foundation

🔄

Fresh Starts

Dogs needing a behavior reset and clear communication system

📚

Pre-Advanced Training

Building foundation before moving to longer programs like Board & Train

NOT Recommended For:

• Severe reactivity or aggression — These require more intensive behavioral work (4-6 week Board & Train)
• Dogs needing off-leash reliability — This is foundation only; off-leash requires longer programs
• Complex behavior modification — Deep-rooted issues need comprehensive immersion training

Our Training Philosophy

"Calm is trained, not expected."

We reject dominance myths, intimidation tactics, and any approach that shuts dogs down or creates learned helplessness.

We Believe:

• Nervous system regulation before obedience demands
• Structure, clarity, and communication—not force
• E-collar work (when used) is gentle and paired with positive reinforcement
• Real-life reliability, not sterile obedience drills
• Handler education is as important as dog training

How We Train:

• Positive reinforcement as the foundation
• Clear communication and calm leadership
• Short, focused sessions to avoid burnout
• Dogs are worked with, not overwhelmed
• Teaching dogs how to learn, not just what to do

About E-Collar Use

E-collar conditioning is introduced carefully and only when appropriate for your dog's temperament and training needs. Not every dog requires e-collar work during the Bootcamp program.

How We Use E-Collars:

• Fitted properly and tested at lowest effective level
• Always paired with clear communication and reward
• Used to build understanding—not punish or intimidate
• Adjusted throughout training based on dog's response
• Handler coached on proper use during transfer session

Think of It Like:

A gentle tap on the shoulder—a communication tool that helps your dog understand what we're asking. The goal is never compliance through fear. The goal is a dog who understands and chooses to respond.

If you have concerns about e-collar use, we'll address them openly during your consultation and throughout training.

After the Bootcamp: What Comes Next?

This is Just the Beginning

The Bootcamp lays the groundwork—but it's not the finish line. Training doesn't stop when the program ends. Think of this as building the foundation of a house. The structure is solid, but you still need to add walls, windows, and a roof.

What we build during the program only lasts if you continue the work at home.

✅ Practice Daily

Work with your dog every day—even if it's just 10 minutes. Practice Sit, Down, Place, Come, and loose leash walking. The more reps you get, the more reliable the behavior becomes.

📈 Gradually Increase Distractions

Start in low-distraction environments (your home, backyard) and slowly add challenges: other people, dogs in the distance, new locations. Don't rush this process. Build confidence one step at a time.

🔄 Use Your Follow-Up Session

Don't skip the 30-minute follow-up evaluation. This is where we troubleshoot problems, adjust techniques, and make sure you're on the right track. If something isn't working, we want to know so we can fix it together.

🎓 Consider Advanced Training

If your dog is progressing well and you want to go further—off-leash reliability, advanced recall, or behavior modification—ask about our 6-Week Board & Train or Off-Leash Freedom programs.

Next-Step Options (No Pressure)

• Handler Coaching — Weekly sessions to continue building skills together
• Advanced Obedience — Duration work, distraction proofing, real-world reliability
• Adventure Readiness — Trail etiquette, hiking prep, off-leash foundations
• Specialty Work — Scent training, agility, off-leash reliability, behavior modification

Your Commitment Matters

Your dog's success depends on what happens after these 3-5 days.

You'll Need To:

✓ Practice 10-15 minutes daily
✓ Use one cue (no repeating)
✓ Stay calm and emotionally neutral
✓ Maintain structure introduced during training

We Provide:

✓ Foundation training and clear communication
✓ Custom homework plan
✓ 30-minute follow-up evaluation
✓ Ongoing text/email support

We give your dog the foundation.
You maintain it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are the training sessions?

Sessions vary based on your dog's energy and focus level. We use short, focused training sessions to avoid burnout and keep learning positive. Typical sessions are 20-40 minutes with breaks.

Do I need to use an e-collar?

No. E-collar use is optional and only introduced when appropriate for your dog's temperament. Not every dog requires it, and we discuss this openly during your consultation.

What should I bring?

Bring your dog's regular leash and collar. If you have an e-collar, bring it—we'll assess fit and function. You don't need to bring food or treats; we provide what's needed during training.

What if my dog doesn't progress in 3-5 days?

Every dog learns at their own pace. Some progress quickly; others need more time. This program is a foundation—not a cure-all. If your dog needs more intensive work, we'll discuss longer programs during your follow-up.

Can I observe training sessions?

Drop-off sessions are trainer-led only to minimize distractions and allow your dog to focus. You'll receive updates throughout the week and join us for the final handler transfer session.

What happens during the follow-up evaluation?

Within 7 days of your final session, we meet for 30 minutes to review progress, troubleshoot challenges, adjust e-collar levels (if in use), and refine your handling technique with personalized feedback.

Is this program right for reactive dogs?

Mild reactivity can benefit from foundation work, but severe reactivity or aggression requires more intensive behavioral work. We recommend our 6-Week Board & Train for serious reactivity cases.

What if I need help after the program?

We offer lifetime text/email support for questions and troubleshooting. If you need additional hands-on help, we can schedule follow-up coaching sessions at an additional cost.

Ready to Kickstart Your Dog's Training Journey?

Let's build the foundation for a calm, confident, well-mannered companion. Whether you choose 3 days or 5 days, you'll get expert training, clear communication, and the tools to succeed.

Call (276) 229-2625 Schedule Your Consultation

Leash Legacy K9 Training • Bassett, Virginia • Serving Southwest VA