Dog Obedience Classes
A well-mannered, socialized dog is a joy to live with. Teaching helps you and your dog communicate, ensuring that he/she becomes a well-behaved family member. Our classes address not just basic cues but socializing, house training, chewing, barking, play biting and other behavior concerns.
Our teaching method is based on kindness and respect. We use positive reinforcement such as praise, toys, playtime or treats to motivate, reward and correct behaviors.
Here at the Humane Society we offer a wide variety of canine courses for you and your dog's needs. To learn about each of these unique opportunities read the descriptions below.
Our teaching method is based on kindness and respect. We use positive reinforcement such as praise, toys, playtime or treats to motivate, reward and correct behaviors.
Here at the Humane Society we offer a wide variety of canine courses for you and your dog's needs. To learn about each of these unique opportunities read the descriptions below.
Location: All classes will be held in Humane Society of West Michigan's Training Center: - 3077 Wilson Dr. NW
Cost (Fees are Non-Refundable):
Enrollment Requirements:
Please Bring the Following to Class:
Important:
Questions? Email obedienceclass@hswestmi.org.
Cost (Fees are Non-Refundable):
- $99/dog
- $85/dog (if adopted from HSWM)
- *Rebate available for Argus Alliance qualifying dogs. Click HERE to see if your dog is an Argus dog.
Enrollment Requirements:
- Owners are required to send proof of vaccinations for Distemper, Bordetella, and Rabies.
Please Bring the Following to Class:
- Leash: 4 to 6 foot leather, nylon or cotton leash. Do NOT use chain as it is too hard on your hands during training and is harder to give clear signals to your dog. Please NO retractable leashes.
- Collar: Nylon collars or martingale collars.
- Desirable treats!
Important:
- For the protection of your pet and others do not bring your dog to class if he has recently been sick (coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mange, etc.). This is also true for female dogs in heat. Please leave the dogs at home, but you are encouraged to attend class so you can have the information to practice during the week. Children and young adults are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Questions? Email obedienceclass@hswestmi.org.
For the Safety of Our Guests, Volunteers, and Staff
- Due to current health considerations, each session will be
capped at 8 dogs and 8 handlers (High School Jocks is limited to 4 dogs & 2 handlers per dog).
- Unless otherwise instructed by HSWM staff, social distancing and wearing masks will be required.
If you do not have one HSWM will provide one for you. This mask needs to be returned after class.
Meet the Trainers
Theresa Nolan
Canine Obedience Trainer CPDT-KA & CGC Evaluator |
Kate Johnivan
Canine Obedience Trainer CPDT-KA & CGC Evaluator, Fear Free Certified |
Lyndsey Sturgeon
Canine Obedience Trainer |
Kayli Armock
Canine Obedience Trainer |
Puppy Kindergarten
Get your pup off to a good start with this puppy class! Learn to safely socialize your puppy and enjoy the playtime! Your puppy will not only learn basic skills, but how to be calm and relax. You and your puppy will learn how to play properly to avoid inappropriate mouthing and chewing. Puppy class is a great way to prevent some behavior issues from happening while learning effective ways to teach your puppy!
Please note that we have limitations on puppy ages to protect the rest of the group. Therefore, once a puppy reaches 17 weeks of age they are unable to participate in further classes with the group. Please only sign up for the number of classes your pup can attend.
Please note that we have limitations on puppy ages to protect the rest of the group. Therefore, once a puppy reaches 17 weeks of age they are unable to participate in further classes with the group. Please only sign up for the number of classes your pup can attend.
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Session 3 Dates
April 8th April 15th April 22nd April 29th May 6th |
Session 4 Dates
May 20th May 27th June 3rd June 10th June 17th |
Session 5 Dates
July 1st July 8th July 15th July 22nd July 29th |
Session 6 Dates
August 12th August 19th August 26th September 2nd September 9th |
Session 7 Dates
September 23rd September 30th October 7th October 14th October 21st |
Session 8 Dates
November 4th November 11th November 18th December 2nd December 9th |
You can select dates that are not in the same session. Example: October 21st & November 4th.
Please note there is a week off in-between sessions and no class the week of Thanksgiving.
Please note there is a week off in-between sessions and no class the week of Thanksgiving.
Puppy Kindergarten Group A
Thursday 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Instructor: Chris Wistrom
Designed For Puppy Ages/Sizes:
Small breed puppies 8-16 weeks
Medium and large puppies 8-11 weeks
Puppy Kindergarten Group B
Thursday 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM
Instructor: Chris Wistrom
Designed For Puppy Ages/Sizes:
Medium and large puppies 12-16 weeks
Medium and large puppies 12-16 weeks
Sign up HERE.
FULL until April 29th
FULL until April 29th
AKC S.T.A.R. ® Puppy
Get your pup off to a good start with this new program designed by the American Kennel Club. You'll learn how to effectively communicate with your dog and your pup will be able to socialize with other dogs. Upon completion of the course your puppy will be eligible for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation through the American Kennel Club. Designed for puppies aged: 4 months - 1 year old.
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
Group A
Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Theresa Nolan
Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Theresa Nolan
January 13th - February 10th - FULL
February 24th - March 24th - FULL
April 7th - May 5th - FULL
May 19th - June 16th - FULL
June 30th - July 28th - Sign up HERE.
August 11th - September 8th - Sign up HERE.
September 22th - October 20th - Sign up HERE.
November 3rd - December 8th (No Class 11/24) - Sign up HERE.
February 24th - March 24th - FULL
April 7th - May 5th - FULL
May 19th - June 16th - FULL
June 30th - July 28th - Sign up HERE.
August 11th - September 8th - Sign up HERE.
September 22th - October 20th - Sign up HERE.
November 3rd - December 8th (No Class 11/24) - Sign up HERE.
Group B
Thursday 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Instructor: Chris Wistrom
Thursday 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Instructor: Chris Wistrom
January 14th - February 11th - FULL
February 25th - March 25th - FULL
April 8th - May 6th - FULL
May 20th - June 17th - Sign up HERE.
July 1st - July 29th - Sign up HERE.
August 12th - September 9th - Sign up HERE.
September 23rd - October 21st - Sign up HERE.
November 4th - December 9th (No Class 11/25) - Sign up HERE.
February 25th - March 25th - FULL
April 8th - May 6th - FULL
May 20th - June 17th - Sign up HERE.
July 1st - July 29th - Sign up HERE.
August 12th - September 9th - Sign up HERE.
September 23rd - October 21st - Sign up HERE.
November 4th - December 9th (No Class 11/25) - Sign up HERE.
Elementary School: Manners Matter
This class is designed for dogs 5 months and older who have never had a previous training class and for those who will benefit by taking the class again. The focus of the class is on good doggy manners and the basic cues of sit, stay, down, come, "leave it," and walking on a loose leash.
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
Group A
Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan
Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan
January 12th - February 9th - FULL
February 23rd - March 23rd - FULL
April 6th - May 4th - FULL
June 29th - July 27th - FULL
August 10th - September 7th - Sign up HERE.
September 21st - October 19th - Sign up HERE.
February 23rd - March 23rd - FULL
April 6th - May 4th - FULL
June 29th - July 27th - FULL
August 10th - September 7th - Sign up HERE.
September 21st - October 19th - Sign up HERE.
Group B
Wednesday 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Instructor: Kayli Armock
Wednesday 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Instructor: Kayli Armock
January 13th - February 10th - FULL
February 24th - March 24th - FULL
April 7th - May 5th - FULL
May 19th - June 16th - FULL
June 30th - July 28th - Sign up HERE.
August 11th - September 8th - Sign up HERE.
September 22nd - October 20th - Sign up HERE.
November 3rd - December 8th (No Class 11/24) - Sign up HERE.
February 24th - March 24th - FULL
April 7th - May 5th - FULL
May 19th - June 16th - FULL
June 30th - July 28th - Sign up HERE.
August 11th - September 8th - Sign up HERE.
September 22nd - October 20th - Sign up HERE.
November 3rd - December 8th (No Class 11/24) - Sign up HERE.
High School Jocks: Reactive Dog Class
This unique class is designed to help you better understand your dog's reactivity towards other dogs and how to best manage their impulses. The basic manners focus, sit, down, focus, recall, stay, polite walking and leave it are reviewed in this course. You will learn how to recognize and reward behaviors you want to keep as well as develop skills to change your K9's undesirable behaviors.
Dog to human reactivity is not addressed in this class. Please contact our behavior staff if your dog is experiencing this type of reactivity.
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 4 dogs and 2 handlers per dog.
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 4 dogs and 2 handlers per dog.
Tuesday 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Instructor: Theresa Nolan
(First Night Without Dogs)
Instructor: Theresa Nolan
(First Night Without Dogs)
January 12th - February 9th - FULL
February 23rd - March 23rd - FULL
April 6th - May 4th - FULL
May 18th - June 15th - FULL
June 29th - July 27th - FULL
August 10th - September 7th - Sign up HERE.
September 21st - October 19th - Sign up HERE.
November 2nd - December 7th (No Class 11/23) - Sign up HERE.
February 23rd - March 23rd - FULL
April 6th - May 4th - FULL
May 18th - June 15th - FULL
June 29th - July 27th - FULL
August 10th - September 7th - Sign up HERE.
September 21st - October 19th - Sign up HERE.
November 2nd - December 7th (No Class 11/23) - Sign up HERE.
Manners Refined!
A prep course for the intermediate AKC Good Citizen Course ®
A new 5-week course for those wishing to continue training their dog, bridging the gap between Manners Matter and the Intermediate Course (AKC’s CGC Evaluation). Our newest course is designed for those who have taken Manner’s Matter or equivalent course. Let’s sharpen skills already acquired by adding distractions and increasing difficulty. The goal is to prepare for the Intermediate CGC course.
Must have 4 – 8 dogs signed up for each session
This class is 5 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
CGC Course
Are you interested in a CGC Course? To hold this class we need at least 4 sign-ups. Therefore, if you are interested in this course please sign up below! When/if we receive enough interest we will reach back out to you. The date and time for this course is to be determined.
UPDATE - We have enough interest to hold this class. Sign up below!
UPDATE - We have enough interest to hold this class. Sign up below!
Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan
November 2nd - December 7th (No Class 11/23) - Sign up HERE.
Instructor: Kate Johnivan
November 2nd - December 7th (No Class 11/23) - Sign up HERE.