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.
At HSWM, 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.
At HSWM, 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.
Class Information
Cost:
Location:
Please Bring the Following to Class:
Important Notes:
- Puppy Preschool:
- $20/Session
- Free for puppies adopted from HSWM up to 16 weeks old (subject to availability)
- All Other Classes:
- $125/Dog
- $100/Dog if adopted from HSWM
- *Rebate available for Argus Alliance qualifying dogs. Click HERE to see if your dog is an Argus dog.
Location:
- All classes will be held in Humane Society of West Michigan's Training Center
3077 Wilson Dr. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 - When you arrive please head towards the main adoption doors - you will see a sidewalk to the right; follow that and there will be another set of double doors that say "Obedience Classes".
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).
- Only 2 handlers per dog in ALL classes unless otherwise approved by the trainer holding the class.
- No children under 10 may attend without prior permission.
Important Notes:
- Owners are required to send proof of vaccinations for Distemper, Bordetella, and Rabies (Rabies is not required for Puppy Preschool) before their dog is able to attend class.
- 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.
- There is no transfer of registration to another class if you or your dog are unable to attend class. All class fees are non-refundable!
Meet the Trainers
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Lyndsey Sturgeon
Canine Behavior Coordinator ABCDT, CPDT-KA Fear Free Certified |
Theresa Nolan
Canine Obedience Trainer AKC Evaluator Fear Free Certified |
Steve Dube
Canine Obedience Trainer ABCDT Fear Free Certified |
Class Descriptions
Puppy Preschool: Starting Off on the Right Paw
Lead Trainer - Steve Dube
Lead Trainer - Steve Dube
Course Pre-Requisites: None.
Age Requirements: 8 to 16 Weeks.
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!
Puppy Preschool is for puppies aged 8 weeks to 16 weeks. Please note that we have limitations on puppy ages to protect the rest of the group. Therefore, once a puppy reaches 16 weeks they are unable to participate in further classes with the group. However, a HSWM ambassador dog may be present in class for socialization purposes. 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.
Age Requirements: 8 to 16 Weeks.
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!
Puppy Preschool is for puppies aged 8 weeks to 16 weeks. Please note that we have limitations on puppy ages to protect the rest of the group. Therefore, once a puppy reaches 16 weeks they are unable to participate in further classes with the group. However, a HSWM ambassador dog may be present in class for socialization purposes. 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.
This class will be held on Mondays from 6:00 to 6:45pm.
To help clear any confusion we are closed on Mondays to the public but will still be having our obedience classes at this location (3077 Wilson Dr. NW). When you arrive please head towards the main adoption doors - you will see a sidewalk to the right; follow that and there will be another set of double doors that say "Obedience Classes". That is where you will want to enter the building.
To help clear any confusion we are closed on Mondays to the public but will still be having our obedience classes at this location (3077 Wilson Dr. NW). When you arrive please head towards the main adoption doors - you will see a sidewalk to the right; follow that and there will be another set of double doors that say "Obedience Classes". That is where you will want to enter the building.
Kindergarten: Boosting Good Behaviors
Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Course Pre-Requisites: None.
Age Requirements: Up to 6 months - Tuesdays, 6 months to 1 year - Thursdays
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. Kindergarten is designed for puppies up to 6 months old. At the end of the session, The AKC Star Puppy Evaluation is available to teams attending all 6 weeks. This class is 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
This class will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm for dogs up to 6 months old or Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm for dogs from 6 months to 1 year old.
Age Requirements: Up to 6 months - Tuesdays, 6 months to 1 year - Thursdays
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. Kindergarten is designed for puppies up to 6 months old. At the end of the session, The AKC Star Puppy Evaluation is available to teams attending all 6 weeks. This class is 6 consecutive weeks with a limit of 8 dogs and 8 handlers.
This class will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm for dogs up to 6 months old or Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm for dogs from 6 months to 1 year old.
Elementary School: Manners Matter
Lead Trainer - Steve Dube
Lead Trainer - Steve Dube
Course Pre-Requisites: None.
Age Requirements: 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 and 8 handlers.
This class will be held on Mondays from 7:15 to 8:15pm or Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm.
To help clear any confusion we are closed on Mondays to the public but will still be having our obedience classes at this location (3077 Wilson Dr. NW). When you arrive please head towards the main adoption doors - you will see a sidewalk to the right; follow that and there will be another set of double doors that say "Obedience Classes". That is where you will want to enter the building.
Age Requirements: 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 and 8 handlers.
This class will be held on Mondays from 7:15 to 8:15pm or Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00pm.
To help clear any confusion we are closed on Mondays to the public but will still be having our obedience classes at this location (3077 Wilson Dr. NW). When you arrive please head towards the main adoption doors - you will see a sidewalk to the right; follow that and there will be another set of double doors that say "Obedience Classes". That is where you will want to enter the building.
Middle School: Manners Refined
Lead Trainer - Steve Dube and Lyndsey Sturgeon
Lead Trainer - Steve Dube and Lyndsey Sturgeon
Course Pre-Requisites: Attended Manners Matter held by HSWM or an equivalent course.
Age Requirements: 1 Year and Older.
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.
This class will be held on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:15pm.
Age Requirements: 1 Year and Older.
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.
This class will be held on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:15pm.
High School: Jocks - Finding the Beauty in Your Beast
Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Lead Trainer - Theresa Nolan
Course Pre-Requisites: None.
Age Requirements: 6 Months and Older.
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 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.
This class will be held on Tuesdays from 7:15 to 8:15pm or Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:15pm.
Age Requirements: 6 Months and Older.
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 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.
This class will be held on Tuesdays from 7:15 to 8:15pm or Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:15pm.
