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.
Location:
  • All classes will be held in Humane Society of West Michigan's Training Center
    3077 Wilson Dr. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534

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, harness, or martingale collars.
  • Desirable treats such as cooked chicken (cut into small pieces). 

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.​
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If you or your dog are unable to attend class due to unforeseen circumstances that particular week or weeks class will be forfeited. There is no transfer of registration to another class or refunds. 

*ATTENTION*
  • Only 2 handlers per dog in ALL classes unless otherwise approved by the trainer holding the class.
  • Masks are only required if an individual has not been fully vaccinated. 

Questions? Email obedienceclass@hswestmi.org. ​
Did you adopt from HSWM? 

Puppy Kindergarten (Group A or B) is free subject to availably and only for puppies up to 16 weeks. This is not included in the adoption fee; it is an added incentive for our puppy adoptions.

We do offer a discount for our other classes if you have adopted the dog from us. Classes are $85 with a coupon code that is listed on the signup. 

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.

​​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.
Puppy Kindergarten Group A
Thursday ​5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
​Instructor: Kayli Armock

​Designed For Puppy Ages/Sizes:
Small breed puppies 8-16 weeks
Medium and large puppies 8-11 weeks​
Sign up HERE.
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
​
Sign up HERE.
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. 
Group A
​​Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Theresa Nolan & Kate Johnivan
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
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. 
Group A
​​Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan & Theresa Nolan
August 10th - September 7th - FULL
September 21st - October 19th - Sign up HERE. 
Group B
​​Wednesday 7:15 - 8:15 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan & Theresa Nolan
August 11th - September 8th - FULL
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. 
Tuesday 7:15 - 8:15 PM
​Instructor: Theresa Nolan & Kate Johnivan
(First Night Without Dogs)
August 10th - September 7th - FULL
September 21st - October 19th - FULL
November 2nd - December 7th (No Class 11/23) - FULL

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.
Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan & Theresa Nolan

CLOSED
Canine Good Citizen
Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) is an American Kennel Club program designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be - together. Since 1989, over 1 million dogs and their owners have participated in CGC, mastering ten basic skills that instill confidence and good manners in and out of your home. Not only does CGC training create long-lasting trust between you and your pup, but also ensures you’ll be good neighbors and friends to everyone around you. And, if you’re interested in going beyond the basics, CGC also lays the foundation for other AKC sports and activities like obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. Following the course, dog and handler teams may take a short behavioral evaluation to earn the Canine Good Citizen certificate.

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!
Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Instructor: Kate Johnivan & Theresa Nolan
​
November 2nd - December 7th (No Class 11/23) - Sign up HERE.