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.
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: $300
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: $225
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
Fun With Scentwork
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: 4 weeks; dogs attend all 4 weeks
Tuition: $180
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)
fido, bring me a beer, please!
Age: 6 months & up
Prerequisites: None
Duration: 4 weeks; dogs attend all 4 weeks
Tuition: $180
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!
BONUS: Learn the new AKC game of Fetch!
What's Covered:
- Free shaping (a human skill!)
- Picking up the object
- Holding/carrying the object
- Returning the item to you!
- Keeping your dog in the game!
- How the AKC Fetch Sport works