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Skill Track Directory
🧠Choosing the Right Skill Track
Not every Skill Track fits every dog—or every lifestyle. A well-matched track is one that makes sense for your dog’s temperament, energy level, and instinctual drive, but it also needs to work for you. Your time, space, and enthusiasm matter just as much.
We break every Skill Track into key compatibility traits so you can confidently explore which paths are right for your team.
Think of this as your advanced obedience compass—one that keeps both heart and logic in balance as you decide where to go next.
Skill Tracks aren’t meant to impress your neighbors. They’re designed to build a working relationship rooted in joy, challenge, and trust.
đź“š How to Use This Directory
đź“š How to Use This Directory
Each Skill Track article will walk you through the “why” and “how” of advanced training in that category. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Purpose & Philosophy – Why this work matters and how it strengthens your dog’s well-being
- Breed Compatibility – Which temperaments are naturally drawn to this kind of work
- Getting Started – Tools, tips, and realistic expectations
- Social Code Fit – Which SC zones this Skill Track supports or enhances
- Lifestyle Notes – Whether this track works best for active rural households, busy urban families, or solo commuters with limited time
Whether you’re planning your first Skill Track or your third, this directory is here to guide, not pressure. You’re not behind. You’re right where your dog needs you to be.
🎓 Skill Tracks Overview
Advanced training isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing it with meaning. Skill Tracks are our way of organizing the continuing education paths available once your dog has completed the First Five and found their place in the Social Code.
Think of each Skill Track as a shared major—a specialization you and your dog pursue together, tailored to their instincts and your lifestyle. Whether your partner is alert and territorial or mellow and independent, there’s a track that helps channel their strengths into something structured, healthy, and deeply rewarding.
Each Skill Track will link to a full article that follows a consistent format, walking you through:
- The purpose of the work
- Breed and temperament fit
- What’s needed to get started
- How to advance together in stages
- Ways this work strengthens your bond, boundaries, and communication
This isn’t about chasing titles or showing off. It’s about giving your dog a reason to wake up and work beside you—and giving you the confidence to lead them.
🛠️ Coming Soon:
Each article will outline training milestones for beginner, intermediate, and advanced teams—because the best work grows over time. Whether you’re leading a lionhearted protector or a water-loving clown, there’s a path forward with purpose.
The Dog / The Skill
| Breed Name | Recommended Skill Tracks | Why It Fits |
| Cane Corso | Protection & Guarding, Obstacle & Agility | Confident, powerful, responsive to leadership |
| Great Dane | Companion Mastery, Therapy & Social Work | Calm presence, observant nature, emotionally tuned |
| Irish Wolfhound | Tracking & Scent Work, Companion Mastery | Sensitive, thoughtful, high sensory engagement |
| Leonberger | Public Access Mastery, Therapy & Social Work | Social, adaptable, excellent public manners |
| Newfoundland | Water & Rescue Work, Therapy & Social Work | Natural swimmer, nurturing temperament, people-focused |
| Saint Bernard | Working Team Sports, Water & Rescue Work | Strong, reliable, bred for alpine rescue |
| Tibetan Mastiff | Protection & Guarding, Companion Mastery | Reserved, territorial, needs focused engagement |
| Volkodav | Protection & Guarding, Working Team Sports | Strong territorial instinct, calm under pressure, bred for livestock defense |
| Aksaray | Protection & Guarding, Working Team Sports | Assertive, livestock guardian, needs structured engagement |
| Alabai | Protection & Guarding, Obstacle & Agility | Independent, highly protective, responsive to strong leadership |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog | Protection & Guarding, Working Team Sports | Territorial, resilient, instinctual boundary work |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Therapy & Social Work, Working Team Sports | Gentle, eager to please, loves structured companionship |
| Bully Kutta | Protection & Guarding, Obstacle & Agility | Dominant but trainable, thrives under clear leadership and purpose |
| Caucasian Ovcharka / Caucasian Shepherd | Protection & Guarding, Companion Mastery | Fierce loyalty, high suspicion of strangers, needs a focused bond |
| Dogo Argentino | Protection & Guarding, Tracking & Scent Work | Brave, alert, keen scenting instinct, needs a working outlet |
| English Mastiff | Companion Mastery, Therapy & Social Work | Calm, deeply loyal, good emotional tuning with humans |
| Fila Brasileiro | Protection & Guarding, Companion Mastery | Deep loyalty to family, naturally distrustful of strangers, requires commitment |
| French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux) | Companion Mastery, Obstacle & Agility | Strong-willed but sensitive, benefits from confidence-building tasks |
| Great Pyrenean Mountain Dog | Protection & Guarding, Working Team Sports | Independent guardian, excels in boundary or patrol-type work |
| Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | Working Team Sports, Therapy & Social Work | Friendly, dependable, thrives on tasks and people interaction |
| Kangal | Protection & Guarding, Tracking & Scent Work | Focused, livestock-bred, quick to assess threats |
| Neapolitan Mastiff | Protection & Guarding, Companion Mastery | Slow-moving thinker, needs deliberate but firm direction |
| Perro de Presa Canario | Protection & Guarding, Obstacle & Agility | Confident, driven, needs strong physical and mental channels |
| Scottish Deerhound | Tracking & Scent Work, Companion Mastery | Calm, sensitive, tuned to environmental cues, needs light-touch training |
| Toso (Tosa Inu or Toso Giant Breed) | Protection & Guarding, Obstacle & Agility | Silent, controlled presence, excels with respectful, discipline-based work |
🛠️ Skill Track Compatibility
Why These Tracks Are Listed:
Every giant breed has strengths shaped by instinct, structure, and temperament. The Skill Tracks listed here highlight areas where this breed is most likely to thrive—not just in training, but in purpose. These aren’t requirements or limitations. They’re opportunities. When matched well, Skill Tracks bring out the best in both dog and human—offering focus, fulfillment, and a deeper working bond.
Cane Corso is Good at Protection & Guarding because of its natural wariness toward strangers, confidence under pressure, and loyalty to its territory and people. Their physical power combined with clear-headed judgment makes them reliable protectors when well-trained. Good at Obstacle & Agility because of their athletic build and strong work ethic. They enjoy physical challenges that involve climbing, weaving, and jumping—especially when done with their trusted human.
Great Dane is Good at Companion Mastery because they thrive on deep bonds and are naturally people-oriented. Their gentle nature and desire to stay close make them ideal for structured relationship work.Good at Therapy because their calm demeanor and imposing but friendly presence often bring comfort. They’re natural gentle giants who respond well to people in distress.Good at Social Work because they are often non-reactive in chaotic environments. Their patience and size create both a soothing and steadying effect in public settings.
Irish Wolfhound is Good at Tracking & Scent Work because of their historic role as hunters and their large, sensitive noses. They enjoy scent-based problem-solving in open terrain. Good at Companion Mastery because of their quiet sensitivity and gentle presence. They bond deeply and respond well to routines built on trust.
Leonberger is Good at Public Access Mastery because of their calm presence and emotional intelligence. With the right guidance, they navigate public spaces respectfully and with quiet confidence. Good at Therapy & Social Work because of their intuitive nature and strong bonds with humans. Their steady temperament makes them reliable in emotional support roles.
Newfoundland is Good at Water because they were bred for it—complete with webbed feet, powerful swimming ability, and a natural affinity for the element. They excel when tasks are water-based. Good at Rescue Work because of their strength, calmness, and natural instincts to help. In water or on land, they gravitate toward aiding the vulnerable. Good at Therapy because their warmth, gentleness, and patience make them comforting companions. Their big presence provides both emotional and physical grounding.Good at Social Work because they tolerate crowds and varied settings without stress. They’re approachable, friendly, and unshaken by public noise.
Saint Bernard is Good at Working Team Sports because they are driven by teamwork, strength, and purpose. They respond well to carting, drafting, and snow-based challenges. Good at Water because despite their size, they can be strong swimmers and have the stamina to handle rescue-based tasks in cold conditions. Good at Rescue Work because of their legacy in alpine rescue. They are reliable under duress and naturally seek out those in need.
Tibetan Mastiff is Good at Protection & Guarding because they are highly territorial, independent thinkers. Their loyalty to home and family runs deep, and they’re naturally vigilant. Good at Companion Mastery because they need clear, respectful relationships to thrive. While independent, they bond tightly with those they trust.
Volkodav is Good at Protection because of their fearless demeanor and size. They are bred for serious guarding tasks and do best when trained with precision and respect. Good at Guarding because they patrol naturally and work independently. They assess threats without panic and hold ground confidently. Good at Working Team Sports because they enjoy having a job that lets them move and use their strength in structured ways.
Aksaray is Good at Protection because of their assertive, no-nonsense temperament. They commit to the safety of what they claim as their own. Good at Guarding because they are highly watchful and not easily intimidated. They’re best when given room to think and act with guidance. Good at Working Team Sports because of their endurance and drive. They can learn to thrive in structured physical work that channels their instincts.
Anatolian Shepherd is Good at Protection because of their instinctive loyalty and territorial focus. They guard independently but form close bonds with their humans. Good at Guarding because of their stoic confidence and ability to assess threats calmly. They are highly intelligent and purposeful. Good at Working Team Sports because of their strength and stamina. With good leadership, they enjoy structured movement tasks.
Bernese Mountain Dog is Good at Therapy because of their soft nature and deep emotional intelligence. They often sense and respond to human needs with calm and kindness. Good at Social Work because they are approachable, friendly, and resilient in new environments. Their temperament puts others at ease. Good at Working Team Sports because they love pulling, hauling, and participating in teamwork. Their heritage makes them strong and cooperative.
Bully Kutta is Good at Protection because they are bold, deeply bonded, and physically imposing. With the right handler, they take protection roles seriously. Good at Guarding because they are territorial and intuitive about threats. Their loyalty drives them to protect their space. Good at Obstacle & Agility because they’re surprisingly nimble for their size. Physical challenges keep them mentally balanced.
Caucasian Ovcharka is Good at Protection because of their raw power and strong suspicion of strangers. They’re born defenders that require respect and training. Good at Guarding because of their deep territorial instinct. They work best when given room to monitor and respond. Good at Companion Mastery because, when bonded, they are devoted and gentle with their people. They need clarity but return loyalty tenfold.
Dogo Argentino is Good at Protection because they are courageous and responsive. Their strength and obedience make them suitable for advanced protection training. Good at Guarding because they’re alert and assertive without being reactive. They monitor their territory closely. Good at Tracking & Scent Work because of their hunting background and sharp scenting skills. They enjoy nose-driven challenges.
English Mastiff is Good at Companion Mastery because of their sensitivity and desire for close bonds. They thrive in calm, trust-based routines. Good at Therapy & Social Work because their size comforts and reassures. Their peaceful presence has a grounding effect on those around them.
Fila Brasileiro is Good at Protection because they are fearless and intensely loyal. They act with certainty when guarding loved ones. Good at Guarding because they have a natural distrust of strangers and move decisively. They do best with highly experienced handlers. Good at Companion Mastery because they bond deeply with one or two people. That connection, when cultivated, is profoundly strong.
French Mastiff is Good at Companion Mastery because of their desire for connection. They need emotional closeness and do well with firm but affectionate guidance. Good at Obstacle & Agility because of their stocky but coordinated body. They enjoy short bursts of challenge that use both mind and muscle.
Great Pyrenean Mountain Dog is Good at Protection because of their steady nerves and watchful eyes. They work calmly but are ready to act. is Good at Guarding because of their deep attachment to territory. They patrol instinctively and hold boundaries. Good at Working Team Sports because they enjoy purposeful work and physical movement when guided well.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is Good at Working Team Sports because they’re driven, strong, and cooperative. Carting and drafting suit them perfectly. Good at Therapy because of their dependable, warm nature. They read people well and respond with kindness. Good at Social Work because they remain composed in busy environments. Their steadiness makes them reliable.
Kangal is Good at Protection because of their strength, speed, and courage. They assess threats calmly and act only when needed. Good at Guarding because of their territorial mindset and independence. They need guidance but thrive in serious guarding roles. Good at Tracking & Scent Work because of their intelligence and curiosity. They follow trails with intent and focus.
Neapolitan Mastiff is Good at Protection because of their imposing appearance and protective instincts. They’re natural guardians when bonded. Good at Guarding because they’re confident, still, and powerful. They don’t chase trouble—they wait for it. Good at Companion Mastery because of their deep loyalty and emotional sensitivity. They bond hard and need that bond honored.
Perro de Presa Canario is Good at Protection because they are serious, fearless, and focused. They respond quickly and powerfully to direction. Good at Guarding because of their confidence and clear territorial drive. They excel when given meaningful boundaries. Good at Obstacle & Agility because they are athletic and alert. Challenges that blend power and coordination keep them sharp.
Scottish Deerhound is Good at Tracking & Scent Work because of their hound heritage and gentle focus. They enjoy working at a distance with purpose. Good at Companion Mastery because of their sweet temperament and strong attachment to their humans. They thrive in gentle, consistent routines.
Toso is Good at Protection because they are deliberate, calm, and brave. Their size and composure make them excellent deterrents. Good at Guarding because of their low reactivity and strong protective instinct. They’re most effective with patient training. Good at Obstacle & Agility because they are athletic, balanced, and responsive. They enjoy physical challenges that strengthen the bond with their handler.
đź’ˇ Not Sure Where to Start?
Some dogs steal your socks just for the thrill of being chased. Others hover near the fence, ears up, watching the wind and waiting for a reason to bark. And then there are the ones who bring you a toy, sit politely, and say with their eyes: “Let’s work.”
If your dog has completed the First Five and you’re standing at the edge of “what’s next,” this is your sign to stop asking if they need more training—and start asking what kind.
Here’s the only question you really need:
“What does my dog love to do—and how can we do that better, together?”
That’s your Skill Track.
Not a trend. Not a gimmick. A path.
Let their instincts lead.
Let your training refine.
And let the journey become a shared evolution—of who they are, and who you’re becoming alongside them.
