Dog Training

Our Good Dog 101 classes offer training for puppies as young as 16 weeks old.

Our introductory course, Good Dog 101 is an excellent course for our older canine friends. The smaller class environment gives our trainer the opportunity to work with you on any issues your older dog may be having. You can teach an old dog new tricks!

Our Trainer is always able to help you with any specific issues you may be having with your pet. If he cannot address them during class, he is often available to meet with you and your pet before or after class. We keep our classes small so each family can receive the best training possible.

Our classes are set up to train the dog and his owner. Two dogs from the same family are welcome to attend class together as long as they each bring a person with them. This enables each pet to have individual attention during class.

We welcome interested guests to stop by our Training Academy during our normal class periods. By viewing a class in action you will be able to determine if this course is the right fit for your pet. We do ask, though, that you leave your pet at home.

We recommend all family members directly involved in training the dog attend class. Often it may be a son or daughter who will be helping a parent train the dog or a husband and wife training team. When possible, we recommend both people come to class to receive the full benefit of class instruction. At home, it will be the responsibility of the dog’s primary trainer to make sure the entire family is consistent with the training methods.

Call The Animal Den directly to learn when the next course is scheduled to start and let the Representative know you are interested in joining. We will put your pet’s information on our list of interested students. About one week before the course begins, we will call you to confirm your participation, explain any details, and collect payment to secure your enrollment.

Our trainer uses positive reinforcement techniques to reinforce desired behavior. We require a six foot sturdy leash. Leather leashes are preferred, while retractable leashes and harnesses are not allowed. A metal choker collar that is sized for your individual dog is also required. Our trainer will go over equipment with each client on the first day of class. We also find most dogs respond positively to a tiny treat or a small morsel or kibble as a reward for their good behavior. Having a handy pocket or pack of such goodies on you during training will be helpful.

For Good Dog 101, we find that two 15 minute sessions per day is ideal for your pup to begin learning. You will have homework assigned each week, and then the next week will include a quick review and learning a new lesson that builds on the progress you have already made with your pup.

Life happens, we get it. Our trainer is super accommodating and helpful. Speak with him about your absence and you can make arrangements for either someone else to attend the class with your pup, our trainer can meet with you briefly before or after the class, or our front desk staff can provide you the lesson to take home. We even have had dogs who could not make class but their parents still came anyway without the dog to learn and observe the lesson!