Group Classes for every dog.
Build real-life skills with your dog in a fun, supportive environment. Our small group dog training classes give you personalized attention and the proven benefits of positive reinforcement methods. Whether you’re starting with a new puppy, struggling with an adolescent dog (5 months to 2 years old), or raising a service dog prospect, you’ll learn practical skills that make life with your dog easier and more enjoyable.
Why choose group dog training with us:
Small class sizes – more one-on-one coaching, less stress for you and your dog
Supportive, safe environment – designed to help every dog and owner succeed
Nonviolent, positive methods – effective techniques that teach without fear or intimidation
Fun and practical learning – gain skills you can use immediately in real-world settings
First classses in a series are in bold
Classes in green are join any time.
Find the Right Class for You and Your Dog
Our group dog training options include everything from Puppies to Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Manners (Canine Good Citizen) and Public Access for Service Dogs. Whether your dog is a companion animal or service dog in training, you’ll find practical, positive training that strengthens your relationship with your dog.
Puppy Class: KinderPuppy
*IMPORTANT: READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION BEFORE REGISTERING.
Cost: $185 (includes a treat pouch)
Class size: 3-5
(Please contact us if class is full. We may be able to start a new section.)
Class length: 6 weeks with rolling/open enrollment
(Start when your puppy is ready and enroll for 6 consecutive weeks.)
For: 8 weeks - 4.5 months when starting class.
Puppies must have been in the home for at least a week, received their first puppy shot (not the whole series, just one!), be free of parasites, and be declared healthy by YOUR veterinarian (Not the rescue’s or breeder’s).
KinderPuppy helps you start your young puppy (8 wks - 4.5 mos) on the road to being a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult dog. I strongly encourage you to enroll as soon after 8 weeks as possible, to ensure your puppy gets crucial early socialization. There is a critical socialization period that closes at 14-16 weeks. Having a variety of safe, novel experiences during this period increases your puppy’s ability to handle new people, vet visits, and other life events. Isolating your puppy from dogs, people, and the outdoors contributes to behavior problems that may never resolve. We would never think to isolate babies and toddlers from other humans so why do this to a puppy?
Combining positive reinforcement training with play, Puppy PE, and socialization exercises, you and your puppy will develop a lasting bond, making subsequent classes, and life in general, easier and more fun for both of you.
I follow the guidelines from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. The AVSAB states:
“In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class.…the combination of maternal immunity, primary vaccination, and appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to the chance of death from a behavior problem… Enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the human-animal bond, and socializing puppies in an environment where the risk of illness can be minimized.”
Puppy Socialization & Play Hour
Cost: $35/a la carte session (You must register and schedule at least one day before the desired date by texting 919-864-0229. Include your name and your puppy’s name) or
$195: pre-pay for 6 consecutive sessions for a discount and free treat pouch
Class size: 2-6
Class length: Single sessions or 6 weeks
For: puppies 8wks to 5mos
Get Social! Enjoy an hour of fun and games to tire your puppy out and help them gain confidence. Increase their ability to handle new experiences; skills every puppy needs as they navigate things like veterinary and grooming visits and meeting new dogs and people. Early socialization is essential because it helps puppies learn that new sights, sounds, and situations are safe, reducing the likelihood of fear, anxiety, and reactivity as they grow.
Level 1 Beginner Better Than Obedience
Cost: $185 (includes a treat pouch)
Class size: 3-6
Class length: 6 weeks
For: 5+ months through adulthood, including KinderPuppy graduates
Better Than Obedience (BTO1) goes beyond basic commands to start your dog on skills they need to be a reliable, attentive, and well-mannered companion. It is customized to the ages/needs of the individual dogs in each class. In this 6-week course, dogs start the process of sit/stay, down/stay, go to place, loose-leash walking, leave it, drop it, basic handling and practical relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to manage stress and over-stimulation. BTO1 is ideal for dogs who tolerate being around other dogs and people, providing opportunities to practice self-control and focus in real-world settings.
Level 2 Intermediate Better Than Obedience
Cost: $175
Class size: 3-6
Class length: 6 weeks
For: Dogs who have taken Level 1 or comparable beginning training class
PLEASE NOTE: THIS CLASS IS NOT SUITABLE FOR FEARFUL OR REACTIVE DOGS.
If it has been a year or more since your last class, please schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation before enrolling.
This class advances your and your dog’s ability to work as a team. Advancing your training through Training Games, Pattern Games and working on the 3 D’s (Duration, Distance and Distractions), increase your dog’s ability to respond to cues so they can perform tasks such as staying on a mat when you walk away.
This class prepares you and your dog for Level 3, the Canine Good Citizen Class and optional test.
Level 3: Canine Good Citizen
Cost: $175
Class size: 3-6
Class length: 6 weeks
For: Dogs who have completed Level 2 or equivalent
PLEASE NOTE: THIS CLASS IS NOT SUITABLE FOR FEARFUL OR REACTIVE DOGS.
If it has been a year or more since your last class, please schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation before enrolling.
The Canine Good Citizen Class covers the 10 Test Items of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. After completing the class, students will have the option, but are not required, to take the CGC test with an approved Evaluator.
Level 4: Beginner Public Access
Cost: $175
Class Size: 3-6
Class Length: 6 weeks
For: Owner-Trained Service Dog Students
NOT SUITABLE FOR LEASH REACTIVE DOGS
This class is for students who are training their own service dogs. We meet in various lower stress public locations to begin working on foundation training in real life settings.
Level 5: Public Access
Cost: $175
Class size: 3-6
Class length: 6 weeks
For: Owner-Trained Service Dog Students
In this class, we meet in more difficult public settings to work on advanced Public Access training, both Foundation Training and specific Service Dog Task Training.
This class may be taken multiple times.