Adult Manners Classes and Workshops

For beginner dogs six months old and up who have little to no prior training. This introductory good manners class covers attention and focus, sit and down, sit for petting, and an introduction to stay, loose leash walking, and coming when called. This is a perfect starting point for teams working towards the SPOT (Socialized Pet Obedience Test) or CGC (Canine Good Citizen test).

For pups and dogs six months old and up. Set the foundation for a dog that pays attention to you, sits for petting, has a reliable stay, and can handle distractions. Spring/summer classes will also include outdoor practice on leash walking and coming when called.

For pups six to twelve months old who have taken a puppy class or had equivalent training at home. Your adorable baby puppy has turned into a teenager who doesn’t listen and gets distracted by everything. Take our survival course for the “terrible tweens” and learn to like your dog again. Teach your dog to pay attention and stay calm even around new people and dogs, and continue to build skills like walking nicely on leash, holding a stay at the door, and coming when called.

Feel proud of your dog who can sit for petting without jumping up, walk calmly through a store, hold a stay while you chat or shop, and resist the urge to shoplift tempting items. We will meet at a different dog-friendly location each week for real world training practice. Open to dogs of any age who have completed a puppy or adult dog training class. Dogs should be comfortable around new people and dogs.

This advanced class is for dogs who want to continue refining their manners skills or who are preparing for Canine Good Citizen or pet therapy testing. Skills practiced include sit/stay for petting, distance stay, heel with turns and distractions, heel and stay near another dog, coming when called with distance, the supervised separation exercise, and the appearance and grooming exercise. Click here for more info on the AKC’s CGC Program.

Does your dog struggle with distractions? Teach your dog to re-orient to you when distractions are present, come to you and away from distractions, walk past distractions, and stay despite distractions.  We also will cover reducing the visibility of treat rewards so your dog can work even when they can’t see the cookie.

This intermediate level class is open to dogs six months old and up who have taken a puppy or basic manners class or have equivalent at-home foundation training (dogs should already know how to sit, down, stay, and come when called with treats).  Dogs should be friendly to other dogs and people and should not have resource guarding issues.

This intermediate level class is perfect for pups that need help learning to relax and focus.  Skills covered typically include watch me/eye contact, touch/hand targeting, pattern games for focus, engage/disengage, relax on a mat, and stay with distractions.

Improve your leash walking and stay skills by navigating rally course sequences. No boring drills here! This intermediate class is open to dogs who know how to sit, lay down, walk on a loose leash, and come when called. You will learn the skills to complete the different rally signs and transition from station to station. We also have an advanced class, with less emphasis on learning the rally signs, that includes different rally courses and provides a trial-like experience.

This intermediate level class will help you keep your dog’s attention and build a reliable stay through a variety of distractions.  Skills covered typically include focus, go to bed/place, stay at doors, and stay while greeting people. We also offer a condensed version of this class as a one hour workshop.

Tired of your dog pulling you down the street? You’ll love going for walks after this class! Learn the essentials for loose leash walking, how to address pulling, how to pass people and dogs, how to choose the best walking gear for your dog, and more.

Do you love going out with your dogs, but feel like you have to take one at a time, because it’s too (two) much? This class will give you the skills needed to take both of your dogs out in public and have more control. We’ll work on walking with multiple dogs, polite greetings, and having one dog wait patiently while you work with your other dog.

Interested in pet therapy? This is the class for you. We’ll discuss the ins and outs of how to get started, including different types of animal-assisted activities, choosing a therapy setting, practicing skills your dog needs to know, recognizing signs of stress in your dog, pet therapy organizations, liability insurance, and more. We’ll also participate in pet therapy visits at local facilities.

Dogs must be friendly to other dogs and to people. This is an advanced level class open to dogs who are getting ready for or who have already passed the Canine Good Citizen test or a pet therapy test.

Does your dog bark, lunge or otherwise react at other dogs or people on walks? This class will teach you the skills to handle these situations and to help your dog feel safer and behave more calmly around new dogs. Class fee includes an individual lesson before class starts so we can assess your dog’s needs and help you and your dog succeed.  Please contact us to get started.

If your dog jumps on everyone, this workshop is for you! Teach your dog how to sit and stay calm when being petted. Open to dogs of any age and skill level. Workshop meets one time for one hour.

Does your dog ignore you?  Learn how to get your dog to listen and reliably come when called. Open to dogs of any age and skill level. Workshop meets one time for one hour.

Leave it and drop it are important safety cues that every dog should know.  We will show you how to teach your dog to ignore “forbidden” items, and what to do if your dog gives into temptation and picks up a “forbidden” item. Workshop meets one time for one hour.

Do you dread taking your dog to the groomer or vet?  Is it a struggle to trim your dog’s nails or give your dog a bath?  Learn positive handling techniques that will make grooming and vet appointments easier for everyone.

A class for the whole family!  Come learn fun ways to help your furry friend listen to everyone in your family.  We will play games that make training fun and easy for all involved. Workshop meets one time for one hour.

Boom! Does your dog react to fireworks and thunderstorms? Come learn some strategies for helping your dog cope with these summertime noises. Workshop is for people only (no dogs) and meets one time for one hour.

Click to Register for Classes