WGDA
Challenge Hub
Welcome to your Weekly WGDA Challenge Hub!
This page has been created to support everything you learn during class and help you continue your training at home.
The real progress happens between sessions,
and just a few minutes of practice each day can make a huge difference.
Each week's challenge includes:
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🎥 A short video explaining that week's challenge.
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🐾 A simple training exercise to complete with your dog.
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💡 Tips to help you succeed and avoid common mistakes.
These challenges are designed to build your dog's focus, confidence and reliability in real-life situations. They become a little more challenging each week as your dog's skills grow, but always work at your dog's pace. If a challenge feels too difficult, simply make it easier and build back up again. Success creates confidence.
Remember:
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Keep sessions short and fun.
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Use rewards your dog loves.
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Take breaks if your dog becomes tired, distracted or over-aroused.
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Celebrate the small wins—they all add up!
Most importantly, enjoy the journey together.
Training isn't about perfection; it's about building a strong relationship based on trust, communication and teamwork.
I can't wait to see your videos, hear about your progress, and watch your dogs grow in confidence each week.
🐾 WGDA Week 1 Homework Challenge
CAlm
The 40 • 30 • 20 • 10 Calm Challenge
This week's challenge is all about helping your dog learn that calmness can happen anywhere.
Remember, we are not simply teaching a sit. We are teaching our dogs that remaining calm, thoughtful and connected to us is rewarding, even as the environment becomes more exciting.
Your Challenge
Can your dog remain calm in four different environments?
🏡 40 seconds – At home or in your garden
🚪 30 seconds – On your driveway or doorstep
🌳 20 seconds – In a quiet public place (park, green space or quiet footpath)
☕ 10 seconds – In a slightly busier location (outside a café, village green, park entrance or similar)
Choose locations where your dog has the best chance of succeeding. Every dog is different, so don't compare your progress with anyone else's.
What Are We Looking For?
We're not looking for perfect obedience.
We're looking for:
✔ Calm body language
✔ Relaxed breathing
✔ A loose lead
✔ Your dog choosing to stay with you
✔ Emotional regulation around the environment
Using Treats
Treats are there to reward calmness, not to bribe your dog.
Reward little and often, especially while your dog is learning.
For example, during a 40-second sit you might reward at:
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5 seconds
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15 seconds
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30 seconds
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40 seconds
Deliver each treat calmly and close to your dog's mouth or between their front paws. Avoid exciting voices or quick, repetitive feeding. We want to reinforce a calm emotional state.
If Your Dog Struggles
If your dog gets up before the time is up, that's absolutely okay.
Don't keep repeating the cue or asking for longer than your dog can manage.
Instead:
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Calmly reset.
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Make the exercise a little easier.
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Reward sooner.
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Reduce the distraction if needed.
Success builds confidence.
Remember...
The goal isn't to complete 40, 30, 20 and 10 seconds perfectly.
The goal is to help your dog become calmer, more thoughtful and more connected with you in different environments.
Take your time, keep it fun and enjoy the process.
Good luck—I can't wait to see your progress! 🐾