Training
We offer a variety of training services that can be customized to suit your dog's needs. Our training focus is on the use of positive reinforcement and strengthening the relationship between dog and human. Our training methods are science-based, effective, dog-friendly, and best of all, fun for both dog and handler. We offer group classes, private lessons, board & train, and day training for your convenience. We can help you determine which is right for you and your dog. Our group classes are offered in 1, 2, 3 and 6 week increments. See below for class descriptions and schedules.
View Pricing (PDF) Training Inquiry
Private Lessons
Appointments can be made for private lessons with one of our trainers. Some dogs are not suited to group classes. Private lessons offer more customizing for you and your dog as well as for your schedule. Private lessons are available online as well.
Board & Train
With Board & Train, your dog stays in our boarding facility and receives daily training sessions with one of our trainers. If appropriate, day care can be added. This is especially helpful for energetic dogs and/or those who thrive on supervised canine interactions.
Day Training
Day Training is done in short training sessions while your dog is here enjoying day care. Your pup gets to play before and after their training session. Discuss with our trainers which skills you would like worked on during these sessions.
Single Topic Classes
Would you love to have a polite dog who doesn't jump on people? How about being able to feed your dog or give them a food toy without them mugging you for it? Maybe you'd like them to ignore the dog walking by or the child riding by on her bike? Have a door dasher? This class can help! This one and a half hour workshop teaches you the beginning steps to reach these goals. Join us with your dog to work through the beginning steps. You will have the information you need to take it further on your own if you choose, or take another class with us in the future for more direction.
Engage You Dog! will teach you ways to engage your dog to gain their attention even in distracting environments. This focus is needed for teaching loose leash walking and recall (having your dog come when called) as well as just plain useful all around. This is a single session class.
All students must take this class before they can take either Recall Magic! or Walk with Me.
- Tuesday: 8/27 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 5.
- Tuesday: 10/8 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 5.
- Tuesday: 10/22 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 5.
Having your dog come when called is a highly sought after goal for many dog guardians. When your dog has a fantastic recall, the world opens wide for them and they can truly enjoy some wonderful off leash experiences. It is also a matter of safety. The ability to call your dog to you with an immediate response can save their lives. In this one hour workshop, we will teach you the beginning steps towards that recall goal. Following our guidance, you will have what you need to continue working towards a solid recall. You will have the information you need to take it further on your own if you choose, or take another class with us in the future for more direction. This is a two series class.
Prerequisite: Engage Your Dog!
- Tuesdays: 9/24 & 10/1 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Tuesdays: 10/29 & 11/5 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
It isn't good for our bodies or theirs for them to constantly be pulling on the leash. They aren't doing it to be ornery or "dominant". They just haven't learned that there is another way. This one hour class will give you the beginning steps for teaching your dog to walk with you on a loose leash. You will have the information you need to take it further on your own if you choose, or take another class with us in the future for more direction. This is a two series class.
Prerequisite: Engage Your Dog!
- Tuesdays: 9/10 & 9/17 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Tuesdays: 11/12 & 11/19 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
Our Group Training Classes
Prepare your puppy for a lifetime at your side. This class is for puppies 8-16 weeks of age. Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning. Experiences during this time set the stage for the rest of your puppy's life. Learn what proper, safe puppy socialization looks like. Puppy preschool includes an orientation and four classes with your puppy. There is a required book, Puppy Start Right Foundation Training for the Companion Dog. We have them available in our office for $25. This course has a rolling enrollment, meaning puppies age in and out of class as we go. We have a different "theme" each week as well as short, supervised puppy play time.
Prerequisites
- Recent (within past 21 days of first class attended) physical examination by a veterinarian. At least one Distemper-Adenovirus 2-Parvo (DAP) vaccine or equivalent administered by a veterinarian a minimum of 10 days prior to first class attended by puppy.
- Bordatella vaccine (preferably oral or intra-nasal) a minimum of 7 days prior to first class attended by puppy.
- Fecal examination and pro-active de-worming for roundworms and hookworms (regardless of fecal results). Appropriate parasite prevention has been started, speak with your veterinarian.
- Puppy Start Right Preschool book ($25).
2024 Schedule:
- This class is held on flexible dates and times depending on who is attending class, so please reach out. Class size: 4.
Orientation is a 1.5 hour interactive educational session covering canine behavior and body language; training principles and operant conditioning; dog handling skills and equipment use; and the shared agreements for group classes. This orientation is designed to enhance your training experience and deepen your understanding of dog!
Come prepared to explore and participate without your dog!
2024 Schedule:
- Wednesday: 9/25 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size 10.
- Wednesday: 10/23 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Class size 10.
- This class is for puppies from 4-10.5 months old who have had their second puppy shots. Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsible owner is what S.T.A.R. Puppy stands for. This class focuses on all the things every puppy and owner need to have a great start together.
- Owner behaviors addressed include: Puppy's health including exams and vaccinations, identification, daily play and exercise plans, cleaning up after your puppy and the general responsibilities of dog ownership.
- Puppy behaviors addressed include: Freedom of aggression towards people and other puppies, possessiveness, being comfortable in their collar/harness, walking on a loose leash, sit, down, stay, come, leave it, and being approached by strangers and dogs in a calm, safe manner.
- The skills in S.T.A.R. Puppy classes are practical and functional. Teaching puppies to tolerate and even enjoy grooming, handling, and basic exams of the ears, feet, and mouth will result in well-mannered puppies that veterinarians are happy to see.
2024 Schedule:
- Saturdays: 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24 and 3/2 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Saturdays: 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1 and 6/8 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Class size: 4.
- Saturdays: 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 and 9/7 from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. Class size: 4
- Saturdays: 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23 and 12/7 from 10:00 am - 11:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Saturdays: 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23 and 12/7 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Class size: 4.
Adolescence is a normal and necessary stage of your dog’s development. That does not mean we are always ready and well- prepared for it. Usually, we are caught off guard. Our lovely, well-behaved puppy seems to have forgotten everything (or almost everything) he/she has learned. They have morphed into a tyrant, seemingly overnight.
This is a six week class and is designed to help you navigate this phase of your pup’s development and see you through the other side.
Listed below are some of the things covered in this class.
- Yielding to leash pressure
- Collar give
- How to deal with situations when a dog does not have a choice
- How to deal with unwanted behaviors
- Greeting humans
- Greeting dogs
- Preventing conflict in the home
- Preventing resource guarding
- Wait your turn
- Appropriate ways to get what they want
- Come when called
- Urinating in an appropriate spot
- Housetraining
- Jumping
- Chewing
- Stationing
- Settle
2024 Schedule:
- Wednesdays: 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10 and 4/17 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Wednesdays: 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29 and 6/5 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
Over the course of 5 weeks (including the Orientation class) the 7 foundational skills of dog training will be built - watch me, loose leash walking, walking together, sit, down, stay, and come. Each week attention building and play activities will be introduced to enhance the human-animal bond and build canine and human confidence. These core skills are the foundation for canine good citizenship and a harmonious home life!
Dogs will learn to give attention to the human handler and perform foundational skills on cue in environments with low levels of distractions while increasing the length of the stay.
People will learn effective relationship supportive handling skills using observation and clear communication.
Orientation is a prerequisite for this class.
This course is a natural progression from the Star Puppy class or stand alone for dogs and people who have begun the foundations of dog training and are ready for next steps.
2024 Schedule:
- Wednesdays: 8/7, 8/14, 8/21 and 8/28 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Wednesdays: 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 and 10/16 from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Wednesdays: 10/30, 11/6, 11/13 and 11/20 from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Class size: 4.
Over the course of 5 weeks (including the Orientation class if you haven't taken it) the 7 foundational skills of dog training (sit, down, stay, loose leash walking, come and close walk) will be expanded. This class will establish the foundation for off-leash training. Hand signals will be added, and phasing out treats as reward markers will be initiated. New skills such as stand, back up, right and left finish and group dog walks will be added. Classes will begin with attention building activities. Classes will end with games to continue building canine and human confidence between one another.
Dogs will learn to give attention to the human handler and perform foundational skills on cue in environments with increasing levels of distractions, while increasing the distance between the dog and handler. People will learn additional effective relationship supportive handling skills using observation and clear communication. All activities are designed to support the human-animal bond.
Please note: Dog Training Foundations Level ll may be repeated.
Orientation is a prerequisite for this class. Dog Training Foundations Level I may be a prerequisite for this class - speak with instructor.
2024 Schedule:
- Wednesdays: 9/25, 10/4, 10/9 and 10/16 from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Class size: 4.
- Wednesdays: 10/30, 11/6, 11/13 and 11/20 from 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm. Class size: 4.
The Canine Good Citizen Program is for dogs around a year or more old and teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners. The 10-step CGC test is a non-competitive test for all dogs, including purebreds and mixed breeds.
The training is precise and varied with the goal of successfully performing all 10 required behaviors for the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Award (AKC CGC Training Test & Test Items). All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test are eligible for an award from the American Kennel Club. Dogs with an AKC number who pass the 10-step CGC test are also eligible for a title from AKC.
The Canine Good Citizen Test Includes:
- Accepting a friendly stranger.
- Sitting politely for petting.
- Comfort with examinations and grooming.
- Walking on a loose leash.
- Walking through a crowd.
- Sit and down on command & staying in place.
- Coming when called.
- Polite behavior around another dog.
- Reaction to distraction.
- Comfort with separation from owner.
2024 Schedule:
- Saturdays: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 4/6, 4/13 and 4/20 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Class size: 4.
- Saturdays: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12 and 10/19 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Class size: 4.
Have you ever thought that your dog would be really good at agility or nosework or was a candidate for conformation? This class will give you the foundational skills needed in Competitive Sports as well as some of the specific skills and exercises used in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Nosework and Agility. It will also include how to register with AKC in order to sign up for and participate in trials.
2024 Schedule:
- Saturdays: 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13 and 7/20 from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. Class size: 4.
This class is a great introduction to Agility, Rally and Canine Freestyle. It takes everything you and your dog have already learned together and shapes it into a fun context. Progress is quick and recognizable, which makes it even more fun, and provides positive reinforcement for you and your dog!
It's designed to develop the skills needed to build a good foundation for dog sports. These skills are valuable and enriching in everyday life, whether you intend to compete, or just want to have fun and deepen your relationship with your dog. They include:
- Focus.
- Relationship exercises and team building skills.
- A positive crate relationship.
- Transporting to and from the crate.
- Learning to engage with the equipment and look to handler for directions.
- We use a lot of props and equipment in this class, and we'll contact you before class begins with a list of things you'll need to bring.
Prerequisite: It is helpful to have completed the Basic Manners class series. If not, basic behaviors such as sit, down, and come when called should have been introduced. Dog should be able to work in the presence of other dogs and people. Your dog must be crate trained and you need to bring a crate to class. Dogs will need to wait their turns in crates at times.
Rally is a companion sport to AKC Obedience. For more information visit AKC Rally. Teamwork and performance skills are developed in the class, often accompanied by laughter and fun! Should they desire to do so, participants will be prepared to enter AKC competitive trials.
Your dog needs to know how to sit, down and stay for a short period of time, as well as walk with a loose leash. Use of treats and/or clickers is encouraged.
Rally is a Companion Sport to AKC Obedience. Visit AKC Rally for more information. Teamwork and performance skills are developed in the class, often accompanied by laughter and fun. Should they desire to do so, participants will be prepared to enter AKC competitive trials.
Prerequisite: The team is expected to have completed the AKC Rally NOVICE course or earned at least one qualifying NOVICE run at an AKC competition. Intermediate is an optional title and is done on-leash without jumps. Advanced is done off leash and includes one jump.
In Agility competition, dogs race against a clock as they navigate an obstacle course with strong concentration and speed. Whether you just want to have fun exercising with your dog or want to go further and enter an Agility competition, this class will teach you and your dog the fundamental elements of Agility in a fun and relaxed setting. The first class is a specialized orientation without the dog.
Prerequisite: It is helpful to have completed the Good Manners class series. If not, basic behaviors such as sit, down, and come when called should have been introduced. Dog should be able to work in the presence of other dogs and people.
All prospective students will need to fill out a Behavior Evaluation Profile and schedule a personal interview before being accepted into the class.
This class is designed to work with dogs who are uncomfortable in the presence of strangers, other dogs, or both. They may show reactivity by barking, lunging on their leash, growling, etc. Others may shut down, trying to hide behind their owners, tails tucked between their legs, ears flush against their skull. Both types of dogs can benefit from this class and learn the skills needed to face their triggers in a new way, by looking to their handlers for guidance.
This class will provide owners with critical handling skills so that they're well equipped to deal with the challenges they may encounter in their communities. It will provide dogs with the life skills they need to exist comfortably and thoughtfully in environments and situations that previously provoked anxiety, heightened arousal levels and reactivity. The first class is a specialized orientation without the dog.
Would you like to know some tricks to do with your dog, or already know some and would like to learn more? Teams can learn the tricks just for fun or may complete the paperwork and pay AKC to earn a title. To learn more about Trick Dog titles or see some of the tricks that will be taught, click here. A variety of tricks will be presented during each class. Please Note: Dogs should already follow basic cues such as sit, down, come, wait/stay as well as walk on a loose leash. (Each series of three can be taken in any order and multiple times - they do not build upon each other.)