Dog Training Activity Guides & Cards for Kids

  • Author: Jenn Merritt
  • Level: Beginner
  • Length: 12 months
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Activity Guides and Training Cards: Good Dog in a box
This downloadable pack of twelve multi-page activity guides and sixty dog training exercise cards was designed for children ages 5-12, and corresponds to our Good Dog in a box online dog training program. These activity guides can be used by reward based dog trainers interested in engaging families with kids into your own training programs. Download, print out, and get kids involved with the family dog. Our guides incorporate learning about your good dog, loving your good dog, teaching your good dog, “I can” empowerment statements, reward based dog training, dog safety, and dog bite prevention.
  • Training Cards: 60 
  • Activity Guides: 12

Watch a sample training video

Activity guides and training cards correspond to reward based dog training exercises.
Family friendly dog training exercises that everyone can do.
Get kids involved in family dog training.
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Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Downloadable Activity guides and training cards

What's included?

Kit Material Focus:

  • Activity guide 1 and training cards: teach dog’s name and getting attention
  • Activity guide 2 and training cards:teach sit
  • Activity guide 3 and training cards:teach come when called and down
  • Activity guide 4 and training cards:teach down and walking inside
  • Activity guide 5 and training cards:teach leave it and walking outside
  • Activity guide 6 and training cards:teach stay, leave it and down
  • Activity guide 7 and training cards:teach go to your mat, down, and leave it
  • Activity guide 8 and training cards:teach go to your mat, down, and tricks
  • Activity guide 9 and training cards:teach drop it, tricks and come
  • Activity guide 10 and training cards:teach stay, target, and front door behavior
  • Activity guide 11 and training cards:teach wait, nose work, and doorbell
  • Activity guide 12 and training cards:teach tricks, meet and greet, and nose work
*Dog Smart Card Game sold separately
For professional reward based dog trainers

Reward based dog training that works!

Dog Trainers – Use for Private Lessons: Kids want to take part in dog training lessons, but how do you keep them engaged with fun activities? The Good Dog in a Box Program provides basic and advanced, reward based dog training activities for kids ages 5 to 12. Many of our dog training exercises you already do, but now you have printed training cards and an accompanying activity guide to make dog training more family focused. Our materials promote practice in between visits and informational material to build more responsible pet owners in the next generation.

Dog Trainers – Use for Family Classes: One curriculum kit can be used for one to two, hour long dog training sessions. Combine with your own materials or use independently. Activity guides can keep kids busy while you explain more advanced concepts to parents. Pair with the Dog Smart Card Game (sold separately) for dog bite prevention lessons and games during class. Send training cards, activity guide, and games home to aid in practice between classes. Get everyone involved in dog training with your classes and our materials.


Curriculum Highlights

 Jenn Merritt, CPDT-KA, our cofounder, wrote our curriculum using over 13 years of professional dog training experience, with sister Kim’s 8 years of experience homeschooling her kids. What a great combo! It teaches dog safety and dog bite prevention through the use of fun games and reward based training. Three central themes throughout program include “Loving your good dog,” “Learning about your good dog,” and “Teaching your good dog.” “I Can” empowerment statements help children build self-confidence in knowing the proper way to interact with dogs. It’s fun for the whole family!

Does not address aggression or fear

The Good Dog program does not address aggressive or fear based behaviors in dogs, which require the assistance of a positive reinforcement dog training professional.

Watch the videos in order

We recommend watching the videos in the order provided. For the training game videos, we recommend mastering one game before moving to the next. Each training game builds on skills for future games. The exceptions are the TTouch exercises. These gentle petting and relaxation exercises can be used anywhere in the program with any frequency.

Meet the instructor

Jenn Merritt, CPDT-KA

Jenn had a fulfilling career as a a professional dog trainer for more than 13 years. She was also  a guild certified Tellington TTouch companion animal practitioner for 10 years. Jenn was Fear Free certified, a Family Paws Parent Educator, a Maxwell Award nominee, and she's been published in “Dog Fancy,” “The Dog Trainer’s Resource 3,” and “The APDT Chronicle of the Dog.” She's also been seen on “CBS This Morning.” Jenn is the creator of the SAFE dog bite prevention program.

Course Lessons for Basic and Advanced

It is our hope that your family comes together to work with your family dog through this program and it provides many opportunities over the upcoming months to enjoy each other and have fun. Not every lesson will be perfect and not every dog will pick up a new skill on the first try, but that's OK. Keep practicing and feel free to contact us with questions or problems. Good luck and starting training!

Frequently asked questions

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and you'll be provided continuous access to the training videos. Take your time and watch them as many times as you like. Repetition is good for everyone. 

Was this written by a professional dog trainer?

Yes it was. Jenn Merritt, CPDT-KA, BS, was a professional reward based dog trainer for more than thirteen years. She was also Fear Free certified and a Tellington TTouch Guild Member.

What does reward based dog training mean?

Reward based dog training or positive reinforcement dog training uses praise and/or treats to reward your dog for doing something you want him to do. Dogs quickly learn what behavior to repeat to get praise and rewards. Reward based training does not use punishment, force, or any type of training device that injures or hurts your dog.