Dog Obedience Classes
At HSWM, we offer a wide variety of canine courses for you and your dog's needs. Our classes address not just basic cues but socializing, house training, chewing, barking, play biting and other behavior concerns. We use a respect based training approach, which consists of positive reinforcement such as praise, toys, playtime or treats to motivate, reward and correct behaviors.
To learn about each of these unique opportunities read the descriptions below.
To learn about each of these unique opportunities read the descriptions below.
Class Information
Puppy Preschool: Starting Off on the Right Paw | Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Cost: $20 dollars pers session (Free for puppies adopted from HSWM up to 20 weeks old)
Ages 8-20 weeks
Puppy Preschool is for puppies aged 8 weeks to 20 weeks. Puppies will learn basic skills, how to be calm, how to play appropriately, and to avoid inappropriate mouthing and chewing. Please note that we have limitations on puppy ages to protect the rest of the group. Therefore, once a puppy reaches 21 weeks they are unable to participate in further classes with the group. This program has an ongoing open enrollment with a limit of 8 puppies per session. Each puppy can be registered for a maximum of 6 sessions.
All Classes are held on Tuesdays from 6pm to 6:45pm between the following dates:
Cost: $20 dollars pers session (Free for puppies adopted from HSWM up to 20 weeks old)
Ages 8-20 weeks
Puppy Preschool is for puppies aged 8 weeks to 20 weeks. Puppies will learn basic skills, how to be calm, how to play appropriately, and to avoid inappropriate mouthing and chewing. Please note that we have limitations on puppy ages to protect the rest of the group. Therefore, once a puppy reaches 21 weeks they are unable to participate in further classes with the group. This program has an ongoing open enrollment with a limit of 8 puppies per session. Each puppy can be registered for a maximum of 6 sessions.
All Classes are held on Tuesdays from 6pm to 6:45pm between the following dates:
- April 15th - May 20th
- June 3rd - July 15th (excluding July 1st)
- July 29th - September 2nd
- September 16th - October 21st
- November 4th - December 9th
Kindergarten: Boosting Good Behaviors | Lead Trainer - Stephen Dube (Wednesdays) & Theresa Nolan (Thursdays)
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages 16 weeks-6 months & 6 months-1 year
Build a solid relationship with your puppy by learning how to effectively communicate with them. Enjoy teaching your puppy basic skills that can help prevent unwanted behaviors. At the end of the session, The AKC Star Puppy Evaluation is available to those attending all 6 weeks. This class is 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs. Wednesday class is for dogs aged 16 weeks to 6 months. Thursday class is for dogs aged 6 months to 1 year.
Wednesday Classes (16 weeks to 6 months):
Thursday Classes: (6 months to 1 year):
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages 16 weeks-6 months & 6 months-1 year
Build a solid relationship with your puppy by learning how to effectively communicate with them. Enjoy teaching your puppy basic skills that can help prevent unwanted behaviors. At the end of the session, The AKC Star Puppy Evaluation is available to those attending all 6 weeks. This class is 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs. Wednesday class is for dogs aged 16 weeks to 6 months. Thursday class is for dogs aged 6 months to 1 year.
Wednesday Classes (16 weeks to 6 months):
- April 16th - May 21st | 7:15-8:15 PM
- June 4th - July 16th (excluding July 2nd) | 7:15-8:15PM
- July 30th - September 3rd | 7:15-8:15PM
- September 17th - October 22nd | 7:15-8:15PM
- November 5th - December 10 | 7:15-8:15PM
Thursday Classes: (6 months to 1 year):
- April 17th - May 22nd | 6:00-7:00 PM
- June 5th - July 17th (excluding July 3rd) | 6:00-7:00 PM
- July 31st - September 4th | 6:00-7:00 PM
- September 18th - October 23rd | 6:00-7:00 PM
- November 6th - December 11th (excluding November 27th) | 6:00-7:00 PM
Elementary School: Manners Matter | Lead Trainer - Stephen Dube
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages 6 months and older
This class is designed for dogs 6 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 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs.
Monday Classes:
Wednesday Classes:
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages 6 months and older
This class is designed for dogs 6 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 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs.
Monday Classes:
- April 14th - May 19th | 10:00-11:00 AM
- June 2nd - July 14th (excluding June 30th) | 6:00-7:00 PM
- June 2nd - July 14th (excluding June 30th) | 7:15-8:15 PM
- July 28th - September 8th (excluding September 1st) | 6:00-7:00 PM
- July 28th - September 8th (excluding September 1st) | 7:15-8:15 PM
- September 15th - October 20th | 6:00-7:00 PM
- September 15th - October 20th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- November 4th - December 8th | 6:00-7:00 PM
- November 4th - December 8th | 7:15-8:15 PM
Wednesday Classes:
- April 16th - May 21st | 6:00-7:00 PM
- June 4th - July 16th (excluding July 2nd) | 6:00-7:00 PM
- July 30th - September 3rd | 6:00-7:00 PM
- September 17th - October 22nd | 6:00-7:00 PM
- November 5th - December 10th | 6:00-7:00 PM
Middle School: Manners Refined | Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages one year and older + PRE REQUISITE REQUIRED
*Dogs in this course must be one year or older AND have completed the "Elementary School: Manners Matter" course. This is a prep course for the intermediate AKC Good Citizen Course® - A 6-week course for those wishing to continue training their dog, bridging the gap between Manners Matter and more specialized course work. This 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 CGC certification will be offered at the end of the class to those dogs who qualify. This class is 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs.
Tuesday Class:
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages one year and older + PRE REQUISITE REQUIRED
*Dogs in this course must be one year or older AND have completed the "Elementary School: Manners Matter" course. This is a prep course for the intermediate AKC Good Citizen Course® - A 6-week course for those wishing to continue training their dog, bridging the gap between Manners Matter and more specialized course work. This 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 CGC certification will be offered at the end of the class to those dogs who qualify. This class is 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs.
Tuesday Class:
- February 25th - April 1st | 7:00-8:00 PM
- June 5th - July 17th (excluding July 3rd) | 7:00-8:00PM
- September 18th - October 23rd | 7:00-8:00PM
High School Jocks: Finding the Beauty in your Beast (Designed for Reactive Dogs) | Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages 6 Months & Older
This unique class is designed for dogs 6 months and older 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 canine'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 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 4 dogs. The first night is WITHOUT dogs.
Tuesday Classes:
Thursday Classes:
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM) All classes beginning after July 1st, 2025, will be $200 per dog
Ages 6 Months & Older
This unique class is designed for dogs 6 months and older 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 canine'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 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 4 dogs. The first night is WITHOUT dogs.
Tuesday Classes:
- April 15th - May 20th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- June 3rd - July 15th (excluding July 1st) | 7:15-8:15 PM
- July 29th - September 2nd | 7:15-8:15 PM
- September 16th - October 21st | 7:15-8:15 PM
- November 4th - December 9th | 7:15-8:15 PM
Thursday Classes:
- April 17th - May 22nd | 7:15-8:15 PM
- July 31st - September 4th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- November 6th - December 11th (excluding November 27th)| 7:15-8:15 PM
Meet the Trainers
Lyndsey Sturgeon
Canine Behavior Coordinator ABCDT, CPDT-KA Fear Free Certified |
Theresa Nolan
Canine Obedience Trainer AKC Evaluator Fear Free Certified |
Stephen Dube
Canine Obedience Trainer ABCDT, CPDT-KA AKC Evaluator Fear Free Certified |
Humane Society of West Michigan
3077 Wilson Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
616.453.8900
[email protected]
3077 Wilson Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
616.453.8900
[email protected]
Photos By: AGL Photography and Sara Cozolino Photography.
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