Six-Week Group Classes (1 hour per week for six weeks)
Building the Bond Start your training journey by learning how to communicate clearly and build enthusiastic engagement with your dog. This foundational course focuses on marker training, motivation, and reinforcement techniques essential for teaching manners like sit, down, and polite leash walking. You'll learn the mechanics of timing and reward delivery so your dog truly enjoys working with you. No prerequisites are required, making this the perfect starting point for any dog and handler team.
Growing the Bond Enhance your canine connection with the "Growing the Bond" Group Obedience Class. This six-week course builds on skills from "Building the Bond" and introduces exercises akin to the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, fostering teamwork and obedience. Join us for a fun, effective experience that strengthens your bond while developing essential skills for real-world success! Please note: although we work towards meeting the skills required to pass the Canine Good Citizen test, all dogs progress at different rates. While some dogs may be ready to take the test after completing this course, other dogs may require additional training in order to meet the CGC testing standards. PREREQUISITE: Successful graduation from Building the Bond.
Intro to Nosework Tap into your dog’s extraordinary natural scenting ability and build incredible focus through the engaging sport of scent detection. Dogs learn the foundational detection skills while owners develop keen observational skills to read subtle body language and changes in behavior at source. It’s an empowering, low-impact activity that boosts canine confidence and provides tremendous mental enrichment. PREREQUISITE: Successful graduation from Building the Bond.
Intro to AKC Rally Competition Have you ever watched a competitive dog event on television and thought, "I'd love to try that!"? Discover the fast-paced, collaborative sport of AKC Rally, where you and your dog navigate a numbered course of obedience exercises as a synchronized team. Handlers will learn how to read course signage, execute precise turns and position changes, and maintain brisk engagement between stations. This class bridges the gap between everyday manners and competitive dog sports in a supportive, upbeat environment. PREREQUISITE: Successful graduation from Building the Bond.
Trick Dog Training Unleash your dog's inner star! This fun trick training class will teach you how to cue impressive behaviors, from shaking hands to weaving through legs. Learn effective shaping techniques and build a dazzling repertoire of tricks. By the end of the course, you and your dog will be prepared to confidently earn your AKC Novice Trick Dog title!
Drop-In Classes (1 hour each, times and days vary by week)
Paper Plate Recall Drop-In Class Transform your dog's recall into an enthusiastic, fast response using a simple target, marker mechanics and high-energy reinforcement. This focused drop-in session uses a simple structured distance games to teach your dog that sprinting to you is a highly rewarding choice. It's a great, flexible opportunity to polish your dog's response and handler mechanics without a multi-week commitment. PREREQUISITE: Successful graduation from Building the Bond.
Confidence Course Drop-In Class Empower your dog to navigate novel environments, unusual surfaces, and low-impact obstacles with poise and curiosity. Handlers will learn how to read subtle stress signals, advocate for their dog’s comfort zone, and use positive reinforcement to build resiliency in their dog. The drop-in format offers a flexible, fun way to expand your dog's environmental resilience and problem-solving skills at your own pace. PREREQUISITE: Successful graduation from Building the Bond.
NoseWork Practice Drop-In Class For students interested in doing more advanced Nosework, we'll offer drop-in classes where your dog will be introduced to searching for odors in large outdoor areas as well as on vehicles. We'll also add in container searches and a variety of other 'scent puzzles' designed to challenge you and your pup! PREREQUISITE: Successful graduation "Follow Your Nose" (offered in Spring 2026) or our "Intro to Nosework" class.