The 7 Foundations

Training only really sticks when it’s built on the right foundations (we’re Foundation K9 for a reason, right?). Think of them like the base of a fortress — without them, cracks appear fast. Keep them strong and maintained, and your dog’s progress has room to grow and last.

And if you decide to add to your pack later, you’ve already got something solid to build upon.

I first got thinking about this properly after a chat with my mate Nick at Bear Basics Canine Academy up in Yorkshire. He talks about his 7 Core Pillars, and it clicked that this is basically what I talk about with clients too — just not in such a structured way. So I wrote them down and gave them shape.

Now, whether you’re working with me in Bournemouth or following along from further away, you’ve got something concrete to check back on.

Here are my 7 Foundations — the things I always ask people to consider before we dive into training.

Health & Well-being

Is your dog getting enough exercise and staying in good general health? Pain, illness, or being overweight will hold everything back.

It’s always a good idea to have your dog checked over by a vet to rule out any underlying issues that might be contributing to behaviour problems. On top of that, make sure they’re getting proper exercise.

The old saying “a tired dog is a good dog” isn’t entirely true — but a well-exercised dog at least isn’t carrying around a load of pent-up frustration from lack of activity.

Diet & Nutrition

Is their diet fuelling their body and mind? Poor nutrition affects energy, behaviour, and learning.

This is a big one. It’s easy to buy the cheapest food on the shelf — or splash out on the most expensive brand thinking it must be better. I’m not here to tell you exactly what to feed (that depends on budget, circumstance, and a few other factors), but your dog needs good-quality food and variety. The best you can comfortably provide.

If you can’t stretch to a premium food, you can still improve their diet by adding extras (while keeping an eye on calories and portions). Things like eggs, tinned sardines or mackerel in spring water, berries, or kefir can all do wonders for boosting health and diversifying their gut microbiome. And don’t forget things with fur, like rabbit ears or feet — they’re great too.

I’d recommend checking out Cam (he shares loads of solid nutrition advice) and the website All About Dog Food to help you get started.

Relationship

How does your dog see you? Calm, confident leader? Fun and engaging? Unclear or unpredictable? Aim for trust, respect, and clarity.

There’s a difference between being a calm, confident leader and being a domineering force. Your dog needs to know you’ll enforce boundaries, but also that you’ll engage with them in ways they enjoy (see my post on co-operative play).

They also need consistency. You can’t change the rules depending on your mood that day — that’s wildly unfair. For example: are they allowed on the furniture or not? There’s no absolute right or wrong, but you need to decide and stick with it. Otherwise, your dog will be confused and anxious.

Fulfilment

Is your dog’s life meeting their natural, genetic, and individual needs? That might mean play, scent work, digging, chasing, or mental challenges.

Making sure your dog is properly fulfilled is vital. Too often, we pick dogs based on looks — or because we’ve always owned that breed before — without really thinking about what they actually need.

People say: “Dogs in the wild don’t play fetch, they just sniff and sleep.” Sure, kind of. But those dogs also go hungry, cover miles a day, and deal with stresses your dog never will. Meanwhile, Fido gets two square meals, a quick walk round the block, and then piles on the pounds.

If you want a long, happy life with your dog, you’ve got to fulfil them properly. And that might mean stepping out of your comfort zone. Maybe trying bitework with your shepherd, or scent work with your spaniel — things you never did with your last dog, or maybe never even knew existed. Just because this one needs something different doesn’t mean they’re broken. It just means you’ve got to find the right outlet for them.

Sleep & Rest

Are they getting enough quality rest? Adult dogs need 12–14 hours daily, puppies up to 20. Rested dogs learn better and behave better.

From experience, I can tell you I’ve learnt over the years to function on very little sleep. I’m not thrilled about it, but I can do it. The thing is, it takes its toll — and I’m nowhere near firing on all cylinders after a long stretch of poor rest (sometimes that can be days on end). Same goes for your dog.

So many dogs never actually learn how to switch off. It might be because of a busy household, or simply because they’ve never had their own quiet space. The fix? A crate or a safe spot where they can retreat and recharge. And sometimes you even have to teach them how to use it. A dog that’s never learnt to switch off won’t suddenly do it just because you’ve given them a bed in the corner.

A well-rested dog can handle stress and learn far better than one that’s overtired. Without it, you end up with the canine version of Tony Montana.

Structure & Boundaries

Does your dog live with consistent boundaries and expectations? Structure creates calm and helps them understand what works.

Dogs thrive on structure. They’re black-and-white animals. They don’t get that something’s OK one day but not the next.

If you don’t want your dog begging at the dinner table, that’s fine — but be clear and consistent about what you do want them to do instead, and make sure it’s enforced every time.

Thresholds are another vital skill — one that should be taught to all dogs to keep them safe. If your dog’s a nightmare on walks and they start by bolting out the front door the second it’s opened, then there’s some work to do before we even address the walk itself. To make this crystal clear: you should be able to open your front door, leave it open while you take the bin out, and your dog still won’t go through unless told. That’s what I mean by teaching thresholds.

Remember: your dog spends 22–23 hours of the day at home. If things are chaotic indoors, chances are they’ll be chaotic outdoors too.

Training & Communication

Are you teaching clearly and fairly? Training builds a shared language — it’s about understanding, not just commands.

Good training can be slow and sometimes boring. The key is clarity: know what you’re working on, build complexity gradually, and use a clear marker system (see my post on markers).

Clarity and fairness build trust, confidence, and a willingness to work with you. Training should be fun for both you and your dog.

Of course, there are exceptions — like working on reactivity, which isn’t always glamorous. But overall, training should feel like time spent bonding with your best mate, learning about each other, and building a desire to work together. When you’ve got that, everything else gets easier.

Wrapping it up

Getting these foundations in place before you dive into training makes a huge difference. Many dogs are overstimulated and under-rested. Others are under-stimulated, poorly fed, and struggling because of it.

If you keep checking back against these 7 Foundations, you’ll not only make better progress with training, you’ll also give your dog the best chance of living a calm, happy life alongside you.