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)
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 and 8 handlers per session. Each puppy can be registered for a maximum of 6 sessions.
Cost: $20 dollars pers session (Free for puppies adopted from HSWM up to 20 weeks old)
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 and 8 handlers per session. Each puppy can be registered for a maximum of 6 sessions.
- Tuesdays: January 7th - February 10th | 6-6:45 PM
- Tuesdays: February 25th - April 1st | 6-6:45 PM
- Tuesdays: April 15th - May 20th | 6-6:45 PM
Kindergarten: Boosting Good Behaviors | Lead Trainer - Stephen Dube (Wednesdays) & Theresa Nolan (Thursdays)
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
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 and 8 handlers. 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):
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
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 and 8 handlers. 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):
- January 8th -February 12th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- February 26th - April 2nd | 7:15-8:15 PM
- April 16th - May 21st | 7:15-8:15 PM
- January 9th - February 13th | 6-7 PM
- February 27th - April 3rd | 6-7 PM
- April 17th - May 22nd | 6-7 PM
Elementary School: Manners Matter | Lead Trainer - Stephen Dube
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
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 and 8 handlers.
Monday Classes:
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
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 and 8 handlers.
Monday Classes:
- January 6th - February 10th | 10-11 AM
- February 24th - March 31st | 10-11 AM
- April 14th - May 19th | 10-11 AM
- January 8th - February 12th | 6-7 PM
- February 26th - April 2nd | 6-7 PM
- April 16th - May 21st | 6-7 PM
Middle School: Manners Refined | Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
*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 and 8 handlers.
Tuesday Class:
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
*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 and 8 handlers.
Tuesday Class:
- February 27th - April 3rd | 7-8 PM
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)
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 and 2 handlers per dog. The first night is WITHOUT dogs.
Tuesday Classes:
Cost: $150 per dog ($125 if adopted from HSWM)
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 and 2 handlers per dog. The first night is WITHOUT dogs.
Tuesday Classes:
- January 7th - February 11th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- February 25th - April 1st | 7:15-8:15 PM
- April 15th - May 20th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- January 9th - February 13th | 7:15-8:15 PM
- April 17th - May 22nd | 7:15-8:15 PM
Class Information
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.
Meet the Trainers
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.