Grade Level

Dogtorate

Frisbee, Leg Weaves, Cross Paws, and athletic challenges, the highest level of training.

Dogs achieve the highest level of training in Dogtorate, showcasing their exceptional abilities through dynamic and challenging performances. This level focuses on agility, precision, and complex tricks that demonstrate advanced skills and athleticism.

Graduates at this level are the dogs you see headlining demonstrations, performing at events, and serving as ambassadors for everything Partners-trained dogs can become.

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Who This Level Is For

Is Dogtorate the Right Fit for Your Dog?

Dogs who have completed Masters and want to compete, perform, or simply stay engaged at the absolute top of the curriculum.

Dogtorate — What You'll Focus On

In Dogtorate the dog will focus on Frisbee, Leg Weaves, Cross Paws, and athletic challenges, the highest level of training.

Dogtorate Syllabus

The Dogtorate Curriculum

Every manner, behavior, trick, and tool introduced at this level — each tracked individually in PD360 with explicit success indicators.

Introduced New skills your dog meets for the first time at this level. Reinforced Carried over from the previous level and strengthened with reps. Proofed Tested against real-world distraction, distance, and duration. Maintained Kept sharp from earlier levels so the foundation never slips.

Introduced 2 New skills your dog meets for the first time at this level.

Counting Introduced

Bark the right number of times on cue.

Mastery: Dog barks the cued count accurately.
Bed Time Introduced

Independently go to bed on cue and stay until released.

Mastery: Dog goes to bed on cue and stays through the night unprompted.

Reinforced 3 Carried over from the previous level and strengthened with reps.

Wipe The Floor Reinforced

Push a towel across the floor on cue — pure useful trick.

Mastery: Dog wipes a towel across a defined surface.

First introduced in Masters
Put Away Toys Reinforced

Pick up toys and drop them in a designated bin.

Mastery: Dog independently puts at least 3 toys into a bin.

First introduced in Masters
Turn Off Lights Reinforced

Hit a light switch with a paw or nose on cue.

Mastery: Dog hits the switch and the light changes state.

First introduced in Masters

Proofed 4 Tested against real-world distraction, distance, and duration.

Retrieve Objects Proofed

Retrieve specific objects on name (keys, leash, toy).

Mastery: Dog discriminates and retrieves a named object.

First introduced in College
Bow Proofed

Play-bow position — chest down, rear up.

Mastery: Dog bows on cue and holds the position briefly.

First introduced in College
Open/Close Door Proofed

Use a tug strap to open or close a door.

Mastery: Dog reliably opens or closes a target door on cue.

First introduced in College
Ring Bell To Go Outside Proofed

Communicate the need to go outside by ringing a bell.

Mastery: Dog rings bell at the door instead of vocalizing or scratching.

First introduced in College

Maintained 20 Kept sharp from earlier levels so the foundation never slips.

Confidence Maintained

Build a baseline of confidence so your dog can engage with the world calmly.

Mastery: Dog approaches novel sights and sounds without flight or freeze.

First introduced in Pre-School
Etiquette Maintained

Learn the day-to-day etiquette that makes your dog a great neighbor.

Mastery: Dog greets calmly without jumping or mouthing.

First introduced in Pre-School
Socialize Maintained

Structured exposure to other dogs and people in a controlled setting.

Mastery: Dog can be near other dogs without overreacting in either direction.

First introduced in Pre-School
Cues Maintained

Build awareness that handler cues mean something is about to happen.

Mastery: Dog orients toward the handler when a cue is given.

First introduced in Pre-School
Gentleness Maintained

Soft-mouth taking food and toys without snatching or nipping.

Mastery: Dog takes treats gently from hand.

First introduced in Pre-School
Play Guidance Maintained

Structured rules of engagement during play sessions.

Mastery: Dog can settle on a cue during high-arousal play.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Hand Off Maintained

Calm transfer of the leash and the dog's focus between handlers.

Mastery: Dog accepts a new handler without anxiety or reactivity.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Desensitize Maintained

Gradual exposure that reduces over-arousal to specific stimuli.

Mastery: Dog can be exposed to a known trigger without reactivity.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Impulse Control Maintained

Wait before acting on a temptation — the building block of obedience.

Mastery: Dog can hold a Sit with food in front of them.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Thresholds Maintained

Pause at doorways and transitions instead of bolting through.

Mastery: Dog waits at thresholds for a release cue.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Calm Maintained

Default to settled instead of revved up.

Mastery: Dog defaults to a relaxed posture during downtime.

First introduced in Elementary
Boundaries Maintained

Respect for off-limits zones in the home and environment.

Mastery: Dog stays out of designated off-limits areas without correction.

First introduced in Elementary
Greetings Maintained

Polite, four-on-the-floor introductions to new people.

Mastery: Dog greets new people without jumping or mouthing.

First introduced in Elementary
Appropriate Play Maintained

Read other dogs and adjust play style to match.

Mastery: Dog matches play style to play partner and disengages on cue.

First introduced in Elementary
Objects Desensitization Maintained

Calm response to novel objects (umbrellas, vacuums, strollers).

Mastery: Dog stays calm when exposed to novel everyday objects.

First introduced in Middle-School
Grooming Maintained

Tolerate handling — paws, ears, mouth, brushing, nail trims.

Mastery: Dog tolerates full body handling without stress.

First introduced in Middle-School
Car Socialization Maintained

Calm, safe behavior in and around vehicles.

Mastery: Dog loads, rides, and unloads calmly.

First introduced in Middle-School
Child Desensitization Maintained

Calm, neutral response to the unpredictable movement and sound of kids.

Mastery: Dog tolerates child-like movement and volume without arousal.

First introduced in High-School
Sounds Desensitization Maintained

Calm response to loud or sudden sounds (thunder, fireworks, sirens).

Mastery: Dog stays calm when exposed to high-intensity sounds at gradual increments.

First introduced in High-School
Medical Socialization Maintained

Tolerate vital-sign handling — temperature, heart rate, body checks.

Mastery: Dog allows vital-sign handling without stress or restraint.

First introduced in High-School

Introduced 6 New skills your dog meets for the first time at this level.

Jump Through Hoop Introduced

Send through a hoop on cue.

Mastery: Dog jumps through a hoop cleanly without knocking.
Jump Through Arms Introduced

Jump through a hoop formed by the handler's arms.

Mastery: Dog jumps through arms safely and confidently.
Jump Into Arms Introduced

Leap into the handler's arms on cue.

Mastery: Dog lands cleanly in handler's arms on cue.
Leg Jump Introduced

Jump over a handler's outstretched leg.

Mastery: Dog clears a leg jump in both directions.
Leg Weaves Introduced

Weave between the handler's legs while walking.

Mastery: Dog weaves through 4+ leg sequences without breaking.
Frisbee Introduced

Catch and return a frisbee in sequence.

Mastery: Dog completes a clean catch-and-return frisbee cycle.

Reinforced 5 Carried over from the previous level and strengthened with reps.

Right Side Position Reinforced

Heel-position on the handler's right side as well as the standard left.

Mastery: Dog holds heel on the right side through pace and direction changes.

First introduced in Masters
Orbit Reinforced

Walk in a circle around the handler maintaining position.

Mastery: Dog completes a clean Orbit in both directions.

First introduced in Masters
Figure 8 Reinforced

Weave a figure-8 between the handler's legs.

Mastery: Dog completes 3 consecutive Figure 8s without breaking pattern.

First introduced in Masters
Catch Reinforced

Catch a tossed ball, tug, or treat mid-air.

Mastery: Dog reliably catches a tossed item from 5+ feet.

First introduced in Masters
Freestyle Bridging Reinforced

Chain together novel behavior sequences with the handler.

Mastery: Dog and handler complete a 5-behavior chain without break.

First introduced in Masters

Proofed 4 Tested against real-world distraction, distance, and duration.

Distance Commands Proofed

Respond to known commands from 20+ feet away.

Mastery: Dog responds to Sit, Down, Stay from at least 20 feet.

First introduced in College
Middle Proofed

Move into a position directly between the handler's legs.

Mastery: Dog finds Middle position cleanly on cue.

First introduced in College
Send Out Proofed

Travel away from the handler to a designated point.

Mastery: Dog sends out to a target at least 15 feet away.

First introduced in College
On The Move Commands Proofed

Sit/Down/Stand while moving — no full handler stop required.

Mastery: Dog drops into Down from a walking heel without handler stopping.

First introduced in College

Maintained 25 Kept sharp from earlier levels so the foundation never slips.

Name Maintained

Your dog learns that hearing their name means look at you.

Mastery: Dog turns head and makes eye contact when name is said.

First introduced in Pre-School
Sit Maintained

The foundational position command — rear on the ground.

Mastery: Dog sits within 2 seconds of verbal cue without lure.

First introduced in Pre-School
Markers Maintained

Marker words (Yes / Good / No) that tell your dog exactly what worked.

Mastery: Dog clearly responds to marker words by holding or releasing behavior.

First introduced in Pre-School
Crate Maintained

Calm, quiet acceptance of crate as a safe resting place.

Mastery: Dog enters crate on cue and settles within 5 minutes.

First introduced in Pre-School
Down Maintained

Elbows on the ground — the second foundational position.

Mastery: Dog goes down within 3 seconds of verbal cue.

First introduced in Pre-School
Heel Maintained

Walk at your side, matching your pace.

Mastery: Dog maintains heel position for at least 10 steps.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Turns Maintained

Maintain heel position through left, right, and about turns.

Mastery: Dog stays in heel through directional changes.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Stay Maintained

Hold a position until released — duration over distance.

Mastery: Dog holds Stay for 30 seconds with mild distraction.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Place Maintained

Go to a designated spot (mat/bed) and settle there.

Mastery: Dog goes to Place from across the room and settles.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Free Maintained

The release cue — your dog is officially off-duty.

Mastery: Dog clearly distinguishes Free from a continued command.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Reset Maintained

Return to a calm, focused state on cue when energy spikes.

Mastery: Dog drops arousal and re-engages handler within 5 seconds.

First introduced in Elementary
Auto Sit Maintained

Default Sit when the handler stops walking — no verbal cue needed.

Mastery: Dog automatically sits when the handler stops.

First introduced in Elementary
Recall Maintained

Come when called from a distance.

Mastery: Dog comes when called from 15 feet with distraction.

First introduced in Elementary
Done Maintained

Disengage from an activity or item completely.

Mastery: Dog disengages from a fixation when Done is cued.

First introduced in Elementary
Back Up Maintained

Walk backward in a straight line — body awareness builder.

Mastery: Dog backs up at least 3 steps on cue.

First introduced in Elementary
Off Maintained

Get off furniture, people, or counters when cued.

Mastery: Dog gets off the moment Off is cued.

First introduced in Elementary
Leave It Maintained

Ignore a tempting item or scent and look back at the handler.

Mastery: Dog disengages from a tempting target and looks at handler.

First introduced in Elementary
Recall to Front Maintained

Come and sit squarely in front of the handler.

Mastery: Dog recalls and finishes in a square front-sit.

First introduced in Middle-School
Flip to Heel Maintained

Move from front position to heel position cleanly.

Mastery: Dog flips from front to heel without forging.

First introduced in Middle-School
Off Leash Maintained

Maintain reliability without a physical leash connection.

Mastery: Dog completes a working sequence reliably off-leash in a controlled space.

First introduced in Middle-School
Out Maintained

Release a held item or location on cue.

Mastery: Dog releases item or position the moment Out is cued.

First introduced in Middle-School
Pacing Maintained

Match handler pace through speed changes during heel.

Mastery: Dog matches slow, normal, and fast pace seamlessly.

First introduced in High-School
Pivots Maintained

Stay in heel during in-place handler rotations.

Mastery: Dog pivots in heel position cleanly through 90° and 180° turns.

First introduced in High-School
Bye Maintained

Wave goodbye on cue — a social-bond signature.

Mastery: Dog raises and waves a paw on cue.

First introduced in High-School
Retrieve Maintained

Pick up an item, return to handler, and release.

Mastery: Dog completes a full retrieve cycle reliably.

First introduced in High-School

Introduced 4 New skills your dog meets for the first time at this level.

Cross Paws Introduced

Cross one paw over the other while in Down.

Mastery: Dog crosses paws cleanly on cue.
Skateboard Introduced

Step onto and push a skateboard on cue.

Mastery: Dog can self-propel on a skateboard for several feet.
Shuffle Introduced

Side-step shuffle along the handler.

Mastery: Dog shuffles sideways at least 3 steps in each direction.
Limp Introduced

Walk on three legs with one paw held up.

Mastery: Dog can limp for at least 5 steps on cue.

Reinforced 4 Carried over from the previous level and strengthened with reps.

Tell A Secret Reinforced

Put muzzle to handler's ear as if whispering.

Mastery: Dog touches muzzle to handler's ear on cue.

First introduced in Masters
Wave Reinforced

Raised-paw wave from a sit.

Mastery: Dog waves paw repeatedly on cue.

First introduced in Masters
Dance Reinforced

Stand on hind legs and move on cue.

Mastery: Dog dances for at least 3 seconds on cue.

First introduced in Masters
Kiss Reinforced

Gentle muzzle-touch to a cheek or palm on cue.

Mastery: Dog offers a gentle kiss on cue without mouthing.

First introduced in Masters

Proofed 2 Tested against real-world distraction, distance, and duration.

Play Dead Proofed

Lie flat on side until released.

Mastery: Dog drops to side and stays still until released.

First introduced in College
Sit Pretty Proofed

Balance on hind legs in a seated position with paws up.

Mastery: Dog holds Sit Pretty for at least 5 seconds.

First introduced in College

Maintained 8 Kept sharp from earlier levels so the foundation never slips.

Spin Maintained

A full rotation on cue — your dog's first trick.

Mastery: Dog completes a 360° rotation on hand or verbal cue.

First introduced in Pre-School
Shake Maintained

Lift a paw to shake hands on cue.

Mastery: Dog offers paw within 2 seconds of cue.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Touch Maintained

Nose-touch a target — the building block for many advanced behaviors.

Mastery: Dog reliably nose-touches a target hand or stick on cue.

First introduced in Elementary
Crawl Maintained

Move forward in a down position.

Mastery: Dog crawls at least 6 feet on cue.

First introduced in Middle-School
Rollover Maintained

Full body roll on cue.

Mastery: Dog completes a clean rollover on cue.

First introduced in Middle-School
Speak Maintained

Bark on cue (and the implicit quiet on cue).

Mastery: Dog speaks on cue and stops on quiet cue.

First introduced in High-School
High Five Maintained

Raised paw to meet a raised hand.

Mastery: Dog meets a raised hand with paw at the right height.

First introduced in High-School
Hug Maintained

Two paws up and over a handler's shoulder/arm.

Mastery: Dog hugs gently and releases on cue.

First introduced in High-School

Introduced 4 New skills your dog meets for the first time at this level.

Frisbee Disc Introduced

Soft-edge competition disc.

Mastery: Dog handles and catches the competition disc.
Blanket Introduced

Used for tuck-in tricks and Bed Time work.

Mastery: Dog reliably manipulates a blanket on cue.
Hoop Introduced

Adjustable-height hoop for Jump Through Hoop work.

Mastery: Dog confidently jumps through hoop at full height.
Skateboard Deck Introduced

Practice deck for the Skateboard trick.

Mastery: Dog uses skateboard deck confidently.

Reinforced 3 Carried over from the previous level and strengthened with reps.

Light Switch Reinforced

Accessible light switch used for Turn Off Lights training.

Mastery: Dog can operate the prop switch repeatedly.

First introduced in Masters
Shoes & Clothes Reinforced

Retrievable items used in named-object retrieval.

Mastery: Dog retrieves named shoe or clothing item on cue.

First introduced in Masters
Box Reinforced

Open-top box for Put Away Toys and other task chains.

Mastery: Dog places items into the box consistently.

First introduced in Masters

Proofed 3 Tested against real-world distraction, distance, and duration.

Place/Touch Pads Proofed

Portable target pads for distance and precision work.

Mastery: Dog targets a pad reliably from a distance.

First introduced in College
Door Tug/Towel Proofed

Hanging strap or towel used to open and close doors.

Mastery: Dog grips and releases tug to operate a door.

First introduced in College
Objects (Named) Proofed

A growing set of named, retrievable household objects.

Mastery: Dog discriminates between at least 5 named objects.

First introduced in College

Maintained 18 Kept sharp from earlier levels so the foundation never slips.

Slip Lead Maintained

A simple looped lead used for quick, low-pressure leash work.

Mastery: Dog accepts slip lead and walks without panic.

First introduced in Pre-School
Martingale Maintained

Limited-slip collar that tightens gently to prevent backing out.

Mastery: Dog wears martingale comfortably during class.

First introduced in Pre-School
Treats Maintained

High-value food rewards used to mark and reinforce correct behavior.

Mastery: Dog takes treats gently and pairs them with marker words.

First introduced in Pre-School
Training Collar Maintained

A flat or slip-style collar used during structured training sessions.

Mastery: Dog accepts training collar and works in it confidently.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Harness Maintained

Body harness for dogs who need different leash pressure than a collar.

Mastery: Dog walks comfortably and predictably in harness.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Treadmill Maintained

Indoor exercise tool for structured energy outlet.

Mastery: Dog walks calmly on treadmill at handler-set pace.

First introduced in Kindergarten
Muzzle Maintained

Basket muzzle conditioning for safety and vet visits.

Mastery: Dog accepts muzzle voluntarily and tolerates it for at least 5 minutes.

First introduced in Elementary
Tab Maintained

Short drag-line for quick handler intervention without a full leash.

Mastery: Dog works appropriately with a tab attached.

First introduced in Elementary
E-Collar Maintained

Remote stim collar conditioned through a thoughtful introduction process.

Mastery: Dog responds to a working level of stim consistently and confidently.

First introduced in Elementary
Prong Collar Maintained

Communication tool for leash pressure on strong pullers.

Mastery: Dog walks loose-leash in prong collar without lunging.

First introduced in Elementary
Bark Collar Maintained

Anti-bark tool for nuisance vocalization in specific contexts.

Mastery: Dog reduces nuisance barking in target context.

First introduced in Middle-School
Long Line Maintained

15-30 foot training line for bridging on-leash and off-leash work.

Mastery: Dog works confidently at the end of a long line.

First introduced in Middle-School
Treat & Train Maintained

Remote treat dispenser for shaping duration and distance.

Mastery: Dog can be reinforced from a distance with the Treat & Train.

First introduced in Middle-School
Agility Weaves Maintained

First exposure to weave poles for body awareness.

Mastery: Dog enters and exits a guided weave correctly.

First introduced in Middle-School
Agility Tunnel Maintained

Tunnel obstacle introduction.

Mastery: Dog confidently sends through and recalls through a tunnel.

First introduced in Middle-School
Agility Jump Maintained

Single bar jump introduction.

Mastery: Dog clears a low jump on cue.

First introduced in Middle-School
Thermometer Maintained

Veterinary thermometer conditioning prop.

Mastery: Dog tolerates thermometer placement without stress.

First introduced in High-School
Noise-Makers Maintained

Bells, whistles, and sound machines for desensitization.

Mastery: Dog remains calm during graduated noise-maker exposure.

First introduced in High-School

Visual Syllabus

View the Dogtorate Syllabus

Trouble viewing? Open the Dogtorate syllabus in a new tab →

Where This Level Sits

Your Progress at Dogtorate

Each row represents a grade level. The bar shows the cumulative number of behaviors your dog will have learned by the end of that level. Dogtorate is highlighted below.

Total cumulative behaviors learned

Graduation Criteria

What Comes After Dogtorate?

Dogtorate graduates are recognized at our annual Partners Dogs Graduation Ceremony. From here, dogs can repeat the level to keep mastering new behaviors or branch into competitive Rally and Agility tracks.

PD360 Pet Progress

Every Skill at Dogtorate is Tracked in PD360

The curriculum is cumulative on purpose. A behavior taught at Elementary is reinforced in Middle School and proofed in High School, with each behavior moving through at least four stages of learning — introduced, reinforced, proofed, and maintained. You'll see exactly which behaviors your dog has been Introduced to, Reinforced on, and Proofed against. The same record follows them into DaySchool, Camps, private lessons, and grooming. One profile, one progress story, one team.

300+ Tracked variables per dog
8 Grade levels & curriculum tracks
120+ Behaviors across the journey
Years Of continuous progress data

Behavior-Level Detail

Every command, manner, and trick is tracked through Introduced → Reinforced → Proofed stages.
Programs Stay in Sync

Progress in Group Class flows into DaySchool, Camps, and private lessons. Trainers see the same record.
Honest Recommendations

Your dog moves up when the data says they're ready — not when a calendar says so.
Years of Continuity

Whether your dog is in Pre-School or Dogtorate, the full history travels with them.