Training
Group Classes
Class schedules and descriptions below.
Our current class offerings include:
Puppy Basics:
This group class is the perfect opportunity to give your puppy a head start to training, socialization, and building a strong connection with your puppy. The class provides information on basic puppy skills including house training, crate training, grooming, feeding, managing mouthing and teething, safe puppy play, and so much more.
Eligibility: All puppies under 4 months old
Level: Puppy/Beginner
Class Length: Meet once per week for 6 weeks, 50 minute classes
Class Rate: $150.00
Class Size: Limited to 6 Puppies
Puppies will experience:
- Handling by different people
- Appropriate play with other puppies
- New and different surfaces and objects in their environment
Puppies will learn:
- How to sit politely
- How to relax on a mat
- How to begin to control their impulses
- That grooming/handling can be fun and enjoyable
- How to start walking nicely on leash
- How to lay down
- That coming when called is fun and beneficial
Humans will learn:
- Operant Conditioning and the four quadrants of learning theory
- That puppies can solve problems
- The importance of vaccinations, identification, and appropriate training tools
- The benefits of early training, setting boundaries, and early problem detection
What to bring:
- Flat collar or body harness
- Standard 6 ft nylon or leather leash
- Treat pouch or plastic baggie
- LOTS of small, soft, and stinky treats (treats should be small because we use a lot of them, and they should be soft so your puppy doesn't have to spend a lot of time chewing)
- One or two toys - either a favorite toy or a brand new toy, preferably something your puppy can tug with
- Water bowl
- Poop bags should be brought to every class
- A towel, blanket, or mat
What not to bring:
- Flexi/retractable leashes
- Shaker cans, spray bottles, or other means of stopping your puppy from doing something
Puppies should not come to the first class. We will discuss class rules, curriculum, logistics, and we will address basic puppy problems that many puppy parents experience. It is much easier to do these things without puppies to distract us, and it sets everyone up to succeed. The first class is extremely important, so please plan to attend.
Levels Classes (ongoing Membership $120/month)
Everyone begins in a Level 1 class. As you master the skills in Level 1, you’re invited to Level 2. When you become proficient in the skills in Level 2, you’re asked to join Level 3. Upon mastery of Level 3 you are invited to come to any of the classes, Levels 1-3. Why? Because a Level 3 team should be ready to encounter more distractions, such as a rambunctious dog in Level 1.
The benefits of a levels system are as follows:
- The chance to go to as many classes in a week as you want
- Flexibility to go to a class that fits your schedule
- You get to work with different trainers that have different training tips
- The possibility for huge savings per class
- Dogs/teams work at their own pace, no rushing onto the next class or level
- Upon completion of level three you get opportunities that don’t exist with typical class structures; the learning never ends with new scenarios/opportunities
The following is a list of skills in each level (may not be comprehensive of everything we teach in class but rather a baseline)
Level 1 concepts:
- Name recognition or look
- Marker word or clicker
- Release command
- Grooming skills
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Come
- Leave it
- Place
- “Off”, no jumping
Level 2 concepts
- Name recognition or look with increased distraction
- Sit with a verbal and/or hand command
- Down with a verbal and /or hand command
- Stay with more distance and distractions
- Come/leave it- past distractions
- Heel walking
- Place command adding distance
- “Off” a friendly stranger coming to greet them
- Introduction of games
- Exposure to distractions (bike, skateboard, jogger, etc)
Level 3 concepts
- Advanced sit and down
- Stay with handler out of sight
- Come/leave it- past other dogs, bigger distractions
- Heeling- greeting a friendly dog, heeling on the other side
- Center
- More and more games/challenges
- Minor exposure to Rally and/or agility
- Out and about field trip/training days
*after mastering these skills in Level 3 then teams can go to whatever class they want to for new experiences
What to bring:
- Flat collar, slip leash, or body harness
- Standard 6 ft nylon or leather leash
- Treat pouch or plastic baggie
- LOTS of small, soft, and stinky treats (treats should be small because we use a lot of them, and they should be soft so your dog doesn't have to spend a lot of time chewing)
- One or two toys - either a favorite toy or a brand new toy, preferably something your dog can tug with
- Water bowl
- Poop bags should be brought to every class
- A towel, blanket, or mat
What not to bring:
- Flexi/retractable leashes
- Shaker cans, spray bottles, or other means of stopping your dog from doing something
Canine Good Citizen:
Starting Saturday, September 9th 9:00am
Eligibility: Any aged dog with a basic sit, down, and stay command started
Level: Advanced
Class Length: Meet once per week for 6 weeks, 45 minute classes
Class Rate: $180.00
Class Size: Limited to 6 Dogs
This class will help prepare you to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. Please note that the evaluator can not test their own students (but will try to get an evaluator to assist with the testing at the end of class). The following skills are tested for CGC:
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Out for a walk
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on cue/Staying in place
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reaction to distractions
- Supervised separation
What to bring:
- Flat collar, slip leash, or body harness
- Standard 6 ft nylon or leather leash
- Treat pouch or plastic baggie
- LOTS of small, soft, and stinky treats (treats should be small because we use a lot of them, and they should be soft so your dog doesn't have to spend a lot of time chewing) * please note that food lures can not be used in testing, we will go over this in class
- One or two toys (optional if this is how you reward your dog) - either a favorite toy or a brand new toy, preferably something your dog can tug with
- Water bowl
- Poop bags should be brought to every class
What not to bring:
- Flexi/retractable leashes
- Shaker cans, spray bottles, or other means of stopping your dog from doing something
Dogs should not come to the first class. We will discuss class rules, curriculum, logistics, and we will address any questions or concerns attendees have before class starts. It is much easier to do these things without dogs to distract us, and it sets everyone up to succeed. The first class is extremely important, so please plan to attend.
To register, create an account and click "Book Now." Text or email us with questions!
Private Training
Private training sessions are an opportunity for dog owners to work one-on-one with a trainer on a specific behavioral challenge or goal. Private sessions are a great choice for a variety of reasons, and we offer a number of different private training options depending on your needs. All private training options require an initial consult to ensure we are making the best choice for you and your dog. During your initial in-home consultation, we will discuss your concerns and/or training goals, we will talk about the steps we need to take to help you reach your goal, and we will discuss the best private training options for you. Please email us to start the process.
Training Could Address:
Choosing the right dog for your family
Welcoming a new baby into the family
Welcoming a new rescued dog
Potty Training (puppy or adult)
New puppy or adult dog training
Leash reactivity toward other dogs or humans
Polite Leash Walking
Barking
Marking
General impulse control
Greeting strangers
Growling, snapping or snarling
Jumping
Counter surfing
Recall work at home
And much more...
The Benefits of Private Lessons
Flexible scheduling
Personalized and customized training plan
Ability to work on specific concerns or issues
Regular follow-up
Get answers to your questions
Lower the stress for your dog
Private Training Rates and Packages
Initial Consult (required for all private training services): $130 - consults last approximately 1 hour
$90/hour after the initial consult
Private Training Packages
3 Private Sessions: $265 (save $5)
6 Private Sessions: $520 (save $20)
Day Train
$125- activities include leash walking, basic obedience, structured play, socialization with other dogs when appropriate, enrichment activities
Board and Train- 2 Weeks, $2500, cover's the following basics:
Sit
Down
Stay
Come/Recall
Place
Heel
Leash Manners
General Manners
Proper socialization with other dogs (when possible)
Other behavior modifications as agreed upon by trainer and client