Foundation Skills at Atlas Paws

Toronto Dog Training

Real-life training for dogs who need better focus, calmer walks, and stronger everyday skills

Foundation Skills classes are designed for adolescent and adult dogs who are ready to build (or rebuild) essential training skills in a real-world setting. Whether your dog missed early training, is easily distracted, or just needs more practice around other dogs and people, these classes focus on practical behaviours that make daily life easier and more enjoyable.

Classes are small, supportive, and taught using modern, force-free training methods that prioritize clarity, confidence, and trust, not correction or punishment.

Atlas Paws

Who is Foundation Skills for?

  • Adolescent and adult dogs (typically 6 months and up)
  • Dogs who missed early training or need a refresher
  • Dogs who are easily distracted and need help focusing around other dogs
  • Dogs who know some cues at home but struggle in real-world settings
  • Rescue dogs who are adjusting to new routines and environments
  • Puppy School grads!

What You & Your Dog Will Learn

  • Focus and name response
  • Sit, down, and stay with a clear release cue
  • Hand targeting (touch) 
  • Go to mat / settle for calm behaviour
  • Polite greetings without jumping
  • Leave it and drop it for impulse control and safety
  • Recall foundations (coming when called)
  • Loose-leash walking skills
  • Enrichment, and more

How it Works

Foundation Skills classes run on an open-enrollment format, meaning you can join when it works for you, no need to wait for a new session to start.

  • Dogs attend a set number of classes at their own pace
  • Each class covers core skills with flexible progression
  • Dogs can repeat exercises as needed to build real fluency
  • Perfect for dogs who benefit from extra practice or ongoing support

Foundation Skills

Learn all the important life skills.
$ 420
  • 5 Training Classes
  • Weekly Trainer Support
SIGN-UP NOW
Weekly Trainer Support -- Hop on a zoom with me each week for extra advice and get questions answered.
COMING SOON
Atlas Paws

Location

Atlas Paws

161 Spadina Ave.
(Spadina & Queen)

Class Schedule

Sunday afternoons
Starting: TBC
Atlas Paws

Testimonials


WOOF
Amrit, Shalin & Lilah

Anji is magic, I've never seen someone as a stranger enter my home and my dog just does what she says, our dog, Lilah, who had been rambunctiously demand barking before she met Anji, somehow turned into a quite and obedient dog inside the house in 4 sessions.
Anji is very knowledgeable and teaches you how to train your dog and works with both, the owners and the dog. Anji never used force or harsh corrections, and she taught Lilah to follow commands with such ease and love, just her presence is somehow enough for dogs to just understand what we want and expect.
Thanks you so much Anji for being the best teacher for our naughty Lilah. We got the basic training but I am sure we will reach out soon for some more advanced stuff, best dog trainer in Toronto! <3

Angela & Arlo

We absolutely loved Anji Barton! Her expertise and guidance on positive reinforcement training for reactive dogs was excellent. Her was very clear and encouraging in training us to training our dog = we had been at wits end for seeing any improvement. Anji gave us both hope that things could change and a map to make this change. We would highly recommend Anji.

Peter, Matt & Toast

Anji is caring and considerate, offering a tailored plan for our dog Toast, as well as a training plan and resources for work to do in-between sessions. We saw a big improvement from our 4 session package with Toast’s temperament, polite greeting, loose leash walking, manners, and recall. We will definitely sign up for further lessons. It’s very convenient that anji comes to our condo and sees our dog in our environment. I can tell she really cares for our dog, and vice versa. The price point is well worth it for individual lessons, in your own home.

Michelle & Summer

Anji is fantastic. Her professionalism, patience, techniques and her pure love of dogs was evident in each visit. She made sure we understood each new technique, but was always available for extra support. After each visit, Anji sent us additional tips, tricks and Google links for our use. Our puppy Summer was a handful at times, but Anji was always in control. She just had a way of calming her down to focus. We will continue to be consistent in using Anji’s techniques as we already see a huge difference in Summer’s behaviour. I highly recommend Anji’s services.

Yeseul, Andres & Oli

We had the doggo manner package class with Anji and the outcome is amazing! What we really liked about her training is, she will make the training plan very personal. She will communicate with us what we would like to work on and make the plan as we progress in the training. She was also very quick to respond to our questions besides the training session and sent us lots of tips and videos that you can watch at home. Also, her way of training is very gentle and calm which we really appreciate. If anyone is looking for a trainer who enforces positive dog trainer that works, we would definitely suggest you to go for it!

Questions?