Kinship has partnered with Gentle Beast to create a free dog training program made up of eight workshops and skill‑building videos for new dog owners.

The program is intended as an accessible entry point for people starting with a new dog, packaging brief lessons and practical drills into a single, no‑cost series. Kinship and Gentle Beast designed the materials to fit into short daily routines so owners can move through foundational skills without a heavy time commitment. New dog owners often face common challenges, including inconsistent training and lack of time, which can slow learning and exacerbate behavior issues.

Each module is brief and focused on skill building, and the program promotes short, regular practice rather than long training sessions. According to the program materials, “positive reinforcement techniques will only take you up to 30 minutes a day,” a guideline meant to make consistent training realistic for busy owners who may be struggling with issues like jumping up or socialization difficulties.

Alex Sessa, identified in the program as a certified trainer and behaviorist affiliated with Kinship, leads the curriculum. “When we look at dogs through the lens of behavior, there’s no such thing as a bad dog,” Sessa writes, framing the series around observation and reward‑based responses. Research has shown that positive reinforcement methods are not only effective but often more effective than aversive techniques, making this an appealing option for new owners.

Kinship and Gentle Beast built the series to include practical, stepwise instruction and compact videos so owners can practice small behaviors frequently. The materials are positioned as hands‑on skill building: short clips demonstrate exercises while accompanying videos show how to apply them in everyday settings. In fact, some surveys indicate that only a small percentage of dog owners seek professional training assistance, highlighting the need for accessible resources like this program.

The program also addresses the early decisions new owners face. One program note emphasizes that “the hardest part about a new dog is deciding when and how you are going to start training them,” urging owners to begin with manageable steps and a consistent schedule. This approach helps alleviate some of the pressure associated with training a new pet and encourages owners to take action.

Gentle Beast, the training partner, provides the instructional framework and on‑screen guidance; Kinship hosts the program and makes the workshops available at no charge. The two organizations are presented as collaborators in producing the free series, with Kinship responsible for presenting the workshops and Gentle Beast supplying the training approach and content. More about Gentle Beast is available on their site.

Program organizers stress repetition and gradual progress: owners are encouraged to reward small successes and progressively reduce the frequency of treats as behaviors become reliable. The structure is deliberate, aiming to build confidence in both dog and owner by focusing on short, achievable training interactions. New dog owners can benefit significantly from positive reinforcement techniques, reinforcing the idea that even small daily training sessions can lead to substantial improvements.

The free training series is positioned as an early support for owners who want a structured starting point. Its mix of concise lessons and follow‑along practice is intended to remove barriers to beginning training, emphasizing that a modest daily routine can produce steady improvement.

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Original reporting: view the original article.