Specialty Classes
The classes below are offered fewer times per year. Please contact us if you click on any of the sign-up buttons below, and do not see a class that you want to take available. We can sometimes set up an additional class based on interest!
Want to know when our classes are scheduled? Click the sign-up button for any of the classes below; this takes you to a list of all currently available classes. Our classes fill quickly, so if you see a class disappear from the list, that means it has filled and a new one will be posted soon! Contact us if you are looking for a specific class below and don’t see it on the list of available classes when you click the “Sign Up” button.
Wild Things! You Make My Heart Sing! (online)
foUNDATIONAL MANNERS FOR dogs who are fearful, reactive, or just can’t even with their exuberance!
Age: 5 months and up
Prerequisites: none** (click below to see class details)
Duration: 5 weeks; week 1 is a humans-only orientation.
Tuition: $165
Our Wild Things class is designed for adolescent and adult dogs who need to learn or brush up on their basics but for whom the in-person group classroom environment may be stressful, overwhelming, or simply not the level of excitement that your dog is ready for. This class will help you tame the wild beast so your diamond-in-the-rough can shine. Learn from the comfort of your living room, in your pajamas if you like! We teach all the foundational behaviors and address common problems such as jumping on guests, pulling toward distractions, or diving into trash.
This class is perfect if you share your life with a pup who is reactive, fearful/shy, or just over-the-top-enthusiastic about life. If your dog is scared, or simply bonkers with excitement when they encounter other dogs, people, and other triggers, then they may not be ready for the level of distraction in a busy group class environment. By starting training at home in our fun online interactive group format you can build a solid foundation of responsiveness and reliability. Progress in this course can pave the way, if you choose, to enroll in our in-person group classes, based on your training goals and your instructor’s guidance.
What's Covered:
- How Dogs Learn
- Sit & Down
- Coming When Called
- Leave-It
- Sit-Stay & Down-Stay
- Wait at the Door
- Focus
- Loose Leash Walking
- Solving Common Behavior Problems (chewing, digging, barking, etc.)
Reactive Rover (in-person)
for dogs who bark, growl, or lunge at other dogs when walking on leash
Age: 5 months and up
Prerequisites: none** (click below to see class details)
Duration: 5 weeks; week 1 is a humans-only orientation.
Tuition: $275
For dogs who bark, growl, or lunge at other dogs on leash walks - this one's for you! Learn to expertly manage your dog around other on-leash dogs, and help your dog learn to relax when he sees other dogs while you are out on walks around town.
**This class is not appropriate for dogs who only exhibit aggression toward other dogs while off-leash, or who exhibit aggression toward people. If you are looking for help with either of these issues, private training is the way to go.
What's Covered:
- Why dogs can be reactive
- Skillful handling of a leash-reactive dog
- Canine body language
- Environmental awareness & management
- How to foster calmer behaviors around other dogs while on leash
Trick and Treat! (Novice through Advanced)
just looking for something fun to do with your dog?
Age: all ages & abilities
Prerequisites: Family Dog, Puppy Preschool, or book a class consult to get instructor permission
Duration: 5 weeks (60 min); dogs attend all 5 weeks
Tuition: $215
Bored of regular obedience classes? Already taken all of our other courses and want to keep going? Just looking for something fun to do with your dog? Trick and Treat is a great way to enrich your dog's mind with some fun training exercises, and help them learn tricks you can show off to friends and family! The level of the course offered on the Sign Up page will indicate the training level being taught. Students will be eligible for AKC trick title evaluation with class participation.
Here are some example tricks that may be taught:
- Wave Hello
- Play Dead or Roll Over
- Chase Your Tail
- Commando Crawl
- Beg, Sit Pretty, Hold ’em Up
- Take a Bow
- Weave Through Legs
- Give a Kiss
Wallflowers: A Class for Shy Dogs! (online)
FOR DOGS WHO NEED CONFIDENCE-BUILDING
Age: all ages & abilities
Prerequisites: none
Duration: 4 weeks; dogs attend all 4 weeks
Tuition: $125
Wallflowers is a foundation course for shy dogs who are nervous around new people, in new environments, or who can't enjoy common dog activities downtown because of their anxieties. We provide easy ways to help your dog feel safe, and teach you tools to help your wallflower blossom. Emphasis will be on setting up safe spaces, increasing curiosity, providing mental enrichment, and building confidence!
Here are some example skills that may be taught:
- Using their nose to find things
- Managing triggers (things that scare your dog)
- Hand targeting (depending on the dog)
- Tricks (depending on the dog)
- and more!
Pullers Anonymous (online)
for anyone who would prefer walking with their dog, rather than being pulled down the street!
Age: all ages & abilities
Prerequisites: none
Duration: 5 weeks (3o min); week 1 is humans-only
Tuition: $95
Does your dog pull your arm out of its socket on walks, or at least move faster than you, seemingly oblivious to the fact that you’re on the other end of the leash? This class is for anyone who would prefer to enjoy walking with their dog, instead of being dragged down the street! This short 5-week class meets for 30 minutes online each week via Zoom. The first week we look at what gear you’re using and all subsequent weeks we practice exercises and games designed to help your dog recognize and love being connected with the human end of the (loose) leash!
What's Covered:
- Why dogs pull
- Good gear for dogs who pull
- How to respond when your dog pulls
- Building a positive association with a loose leash
- Handling distractions
- Understanding how often to reward your dog
Fun With Scentwork (in-person or online)
the nose knows! develop your dog's natural scenting abilities with these fun games!
Age: all ages & abilities
Prerequisites: Family Dog, Puppy Preschool, or instructor permission
Duration: 6 weeks; dogs attend all 6 weeks
Tuition: $250 (in-person); $190 (online)
Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. This class is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by building interest, enthusiasm and the confidence to work independently. Your dog will learn to identify when “the game is on” and then learn to search for his favorite toys and treats using his nose alone. Scentwork is a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy.
What's Covered:
- How dogs find "stuff"
- Fostering fun & excitement for scentwork
- Training your dog to know when it's time to search!
- Identifying your dog's "tells"
- Building your dog's confidence & tenacity
Fetch! (Retrieve) (in-person)
fido, bring me a beer, please!
Age: 6 months & up
Prerequisites: Family Dog or Puppy Intermediate, or equivalent basic manners class
Duration: 6 weeks; dogs attend all 6 weeks
Tuition: $190
Would you love for your dog to be able to grab a soda from the fridge and bring it to you? Or pick up his own toys and put them back in the toy basket? Or are you simply looking for something fun and different to do with your dog?
Train your dog to retrieve items on cue, in this fun group class where we can laugh with each other as we work through each dog's individual approaches to this classic game of fetch!
What's Covered:
- Free shaping (a human skill!)
- Picking up the object
- Holding/carrying the object
- Delivering the object
- Keeping your dog in the game!