Training that fits your dog and your family

Most classes are one hour a week for six weeks. We also occasionally offer 3- to 4-week classes that meet for 90 minutes each week, and crash courses that meet for 3 to 5 weeks, 75 to 90 minutes each week.

We have day, evening and weekend classes. Each class meets at the same time, on the same day, in the same area of the training center each week. See the schedule.

Make-ups are free. If you’ll miss a class for vacation, illness or a schedule conflict, you can usually make it up the same week. Find a make-up class, then contact the office or 253-854-9663 to confirm the day and time you’ll attend. See our make-up policy.

No, we’re not fans of the clicker, although we do use behavior modification techniques. In a class, dogs can’t tell whose click is for which dog, and a click doesn’t tell a dog when to keep going versus when a behavior is finished.

Instead we use marker words like “good” and “yes”. They let us give degrees of reinforcement while truly communicating with your dog. Your dog learns to take responsibility for their actions and pay attention to you because your relationship improves.

Every dog is different. Some are sensitive with a high desire to please; others are more stubborn and challenging. Some dogs do need corrections to learn important things, like not biting.

Before we recommend a correction, we look at your dog’s intentions, where they are in training, and what’s fair to your dog. Some dogs respond to a spray of water; others need different techniques.

Wait. What you already have is probably fine to get you started. There are pros and cons to every collar and leash (buckle collars, martingales, head halters, body harnesses, 6-foot leashes, retractable leashes, long lines and more). What works for one dog may not work for another, and some handlers with physical challenges need different equipment for safety and control.

We talk about equipment at the orientation, and we sell common styles of collars, leashes and long lines at our facility.

Yes, we encourage it. Please come without your dog. Contact the office and tell us what type of class you’re looking for, and we’ll find the best day and time for you to observe.

Yes. Most training challenges and behavior problems can be solved in class, but some dogs need individual attention because of aggression, fear or other serious issues. Some owners also prefer one-on-one help to work through several challenges in a short time.

Our instructors teach private lessons as needed, in your home or at our training facility, depending on what’s needed. Download the Private Lesson Questionnaire (PDF), see fees, and contact us to talk about whether private lessons are right for your dog.

Call several instructors and ask about their methods, class sizes, the types of dogs they’ve worked with, their success rate and graduation percentages. Ask about their background in animal behavior, how classes are organized, and how they communicate and motivate a group. If you can, watch a class to get a feel for the environment, the instructor’s technical skill and communication.

Be wary of “free” or very cheap training: you often get poor instruction and bad advice in large, out-of-control classes. Be wary of trainers who do a great “sales job” but have little real experience, or who learned through correspondence or online courses. Our instructors train for many hours, weeks and months before they are qualified to teach for us.

We find classes, where you spend a few minutes a day working with your own dog, work very well. Most families really want their dog to obey them at home, and that’s where we excel: teaching families to train their dogs into wonderful companions.

Register early: classes fill in the order registrations and payments arrive.

• Online, by credit card: pick a class on the schedule and select Sign up. Log in, or create a free account, and pay by card. You’ll get a confirmation email.
• By mail, fax or email: print and fill out the two-page Registration Form (PDF) and sign where indicated. Returning students use the Returning Student Form (PDF). Paying by credit card? Fax it to (253) 850-DOGS, mail it or email it. Paying by check? Mail it or drop it off with your payment. Paying cash? Visit our office.

We’ll confirm your registration and class by email shortly after we receive it, and email you a reminder 24 to 48 hours before your first class. You can also pick up a current schedule, a registration form and a list of our services from the information box on the wall to the left of our main door, even when we’re not in.

Unlimited phone and email support from your instructor, and make-ups for any classes you miss at no additional charge. We also have a Student Incentive Program that pays dividends to students who help at our community education booths and support our business in other ways. See fees.