Classes
Are you trying to improve your pet parenting? Address challenges your pup faces in public or at home? Prepare for competitive trials? We’ve got a class for you!
All classes and seminars at Good Choice Dog Training have something in common — they emphasize enrichment for dogs and fun for humans and pups alike!
Our Classes
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Welcoming a new puppy to your family is an exciting time, but with biting, chewing, and indoor potty breaks, it can get overwhelming quickly. Puppy training is a critical first step when helping your puppy make good choices.
Puppy Class & Enrichment is one of our most fun and important classes. Each session provides your dog with well-rounded socialization and enrichment, teaching important skills like feeling comfortable on new surfaces and facing things that move. This class also includes a gentle introduction to obedience skills. We have a minimum of two trainers at every class to ensure your puppy gets all the attention they need. Our team guides pet parents in practicing sits, downs, stays, leash walking, recalls, and more. Plus, you’re encouraged to use the skills practiced at home to help your puppy make good choices in all situations.
Class Qualifiers
— 6 months old or younger
— Have visited your local vet at least once and received a clean bill of healthView Upcoming Sessions with Alissa On Sundays(Look under Classes with Offline Registration)
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Take socialization to the next level by helping your puppy build manners and practice obedience! Puppy Too helps you teach your dog skills like focusing around distractions and polite greetings in a fun environment. While there is no designated play time in this class, our expert trainers use games and positive reinforcement to help your puppy learn to make good choices.
Class Qualifiers
— Between 6 and 12 months old
— Must have age-appropriate vaccinations
— Note: Participation in Puppy Classes is not required to take this class.(Look under classes with Offline Registration)
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Life can be “ruff,” but with the right skills, your dog can make good choices no matter what situation. Our six-week Life Skills class is ideal for young adult dogs who need help with everyday life skills, like leash walking, greetings, and recalls. This class is based on practical life situations to help prevent common issues, like jumping on Grandma and counter-surfing. Our trainers use games and positive reinforcement to help your pup learn and keep them engaged throughout the session.
Class Qualifiers
— 12+ months old
— Must have age-appropriate vaccinations
— Must be a team player — no aggression toward other dogs is allowed! -
Your relationship with your dog is likely to be one of the best friendships you’ve ever experienced! This class helps owners and pups get connected and comfortable with each other and other dogs and people. Our trainers use the course cards and games from Relationship Centered Training™ to build focus, skills around distractions, and relationship building.
Class Qualifiers
— 12+ months old
— Completed at least one obedience or manners class -
Help your pup put their nose to the test! With a sense of smell over 10,000 times better than yours, your dog will enjoy the fun of this scent work class without the pressure of preparing for the American Kennel Club Scent Work Trial. Our trainers practice scent work with your dog using birch odor and simple searches.
Class Qualifiers
— 6+ months old
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You may know mark training as "paws up" or "two feet,” but whatever you call it, you can use this skill that most dogs seem to love to build confidence, forward focus, and distance. We'll practice crosses, sends, and wraps that will pay off when your dog is introduced to obstacles and begins running sequences.
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Whether you have a new dog, an adolescent pup or just want to brush up on your dog’s manners, this is the class for you! We will cover various topics such as leash walking, building the 3 D’s (duration, distance, distraction) into your training, adding impulse control into their routine, and discuss ways to set yourself and your dog up for success in the real world!
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Welcome to Agility! In our Beginner’s class we’ll start with the foundations on all the obstacles!
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Introduction to Cooperative Care teaches foundational behaviors that are used to prevent or reverse fear and stress associated with veterinary and grooming needs. The goal of this class is not just to teach our dogs to tolerate necessary procedures; its aim is to give our dogs the skills they need to become comfortable, willing participants in their health care experiences. These skills, once learned, can be generalized to various procedures such as ear and mouth exams, nail trimming, and brushing.
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For teams new to the sport of rally, this class provides a great first step into the fun world of AKC Rally. We will focus on teaching you, your dog's handler and best bud, how to perform the Rally novice behaviors in accordance with AKC rules. Learn how your body language can help (or hinder) your dog's ability to successfully execute the foundation skills for novice level Rally courses. Then, put it all together on some novice level courses.
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LET’S HELP YOUR REACTIVE DOG MAKE GOOD CHOICES!
Does your dog get so overwhelmed in the world that they just cannot think? Has being out and going for walks become a nightmare for both of you? It can be frustrating and embarrassing to deal with a reactive dog. But help is on the way!
This is a hybrid classcombining in-person classes and virtual sessions. This helps our dogs be able to learn in a safe space and takes the pressure off of trying to bring them into the training room in the very beginning.
HOW IS OUR REACTIVE DOG CLASS STRUCTRED?
Week 1 is a dog-free class that will help you learn about reactivity, triggers, body language and your dog's specific issues. You will learn the foundation Relationship Centered Training skills that your dog needs in order to make better choices in the world. You will be practicing these at home using the provided handouts and videos.
Week 2 is a virtual meeting via Zoom where we will meet to check on your progress, troubleshoot any challenges, add some new steps, and if helpful, even watch you and your dog with on-the-spot coaching. You'll continue practicing to get ready for Week 3.
Week 3 through Week 6 are in-person classes at Good Choice Dog Training in a carefully set-up class room arranged to help you and your dog succeed. We're there to support you and your dog.
Class is limited to 6 dogs and handlers. Please register early to save your spot!
Trial Preparation Courses
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Your dog’s sense of smell is over 10,000 times better than yours! Scent Work offers a fun way for your pup to put their nose to the test. This course is specifically designed to support your dog in successfully completing the American Kennel Club Scent Work Trial by introducing new and familiar odors and practicing searches.
Class Qualifiers
— 6+ months old
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All dogs can be good dogs! This class prepares your pup to become an official good citizen through the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test. The test is based on ten specific skills, and the training in this program can ensure your dog can easily pass the examination. Classes include fine-tuning sits, downs, stays, recalls, leash walking, and more.
Class Qualifiers
— 12+ months old
— Solid foundation of basic obedienceView Upcoming View Upcoming Sessions ➜ ➜
(Look under classes with offline registration)
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Have you conquered the Canine Good Citizen test and are looking for the next step? This class is for you! This program builds upon the skills your dog mastered in the Canine Good Citizen Prep Test by diving deeper into sits, downs, stays, and more and working around greater distractions.
Class Qualifiers
— Successful completion of the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test.
—Intending to take the American Kennel Club Community Canine/CGC-A test.(Look under classes with offline registration)
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Learn and practice correct execution of AKC Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced signs. Practice individual skills, put them together on regulation-length courses, and play silly, distracting games for mastery.
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Practice your agility handling skills using short sequences of jumps and tunnels. Learn and perfect various handling techniques including crosses, distance sends, backsides, wraps and more to discover what works best for you and your dog. These sequences can be easily adapted for varying skill levels.