Dogs holding sit-stays on long leashes while their handlers stand back across the training floor

Manners & Obedience

Where most families start

Small, calm classes that teach your dog to listen the first time, at home and around distractions. Start with your puppy or your grown dog, and keep going as far as you like.

Choose your starting point

Where you start depends on your dog’s age and training so far. Each class builds on the one before. Not sure? Send us a message and we’ll help you choose.

A schnauzer puppy and a Newfoundland puppy greeting nose to nose in class

Puppies under 5 months

Puppy Manners

Introduces obedience to your young puppy while building positive socialization experiences. For puppies under 5 months (toy breeds under 9 months).

Puppy Manners details →

Owners and their dogs practicing in a Beginning Home Obedience class

Dogs over 5 months

Beginning Home Obedience

Where most people start. For dogs new to training, new to your home, or still learning to listen around distractions. If you say “My dog does this at home, but…”, this class is for you.

Beginning Obedience details →

Students standing with their dogs spread out across the training floor in an Advanced Home Obedience class

After Beginning

Advanced Home Obedience

Builds on the basics with more duration, distraction and distance, working toward off-leash control. For dogs who finished Beginning Home Obedience or have a foundation in basic commands.

Advanced Obedience details →

Two pugs sitting on low training platforms while other dogs hold stays in the background

After Advanced

Continued Advanced Home Obedience

Stronger, more consistent behaviors around food, toys, people and dogs. Adds drop on recall, finishes, out-of-sight stays, Figure 8 and an intro to heeling.

Continued Advanced details →

Class graduates holding certificates beside their dogs on the training floor

After Advanced

CGC Preparation

Get ready for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, held in week 6 of the class. The CGC title is the basis for therapy dog training.

CGC Preparation details →

A German Shepherd in a therapy vest looking up beside a wheelchair, walker and hospital table

After Advanced

Therapy Dog Preparation

Skills for the major therapy dog tests, practiced around walkers, wheelchairs and hospital equipment. After Advanced Home Obedience, or with instructor permission.

Therapy Dog details →

Some students get “hooked” and go on to agility and other dog sports. Explore sports & performance classes →

Upcoming manners & obedience classes

The next home obedience classes on our schedule.

Don’t see the class you want? Join a wait list →

See the full class schedule · Questions? Send us a message.

All Home Obedience classes

Length, price and the next start date for each class. Prices include sales tax.

  • HO1 Puppy Manners

    A fun, gentle start for young puppies: they play with friends their own size and learn the basics, and you get answers to your puppy-raising questions.

    6 weekly one-hour classes (some sessions are 5 weekly 75-minute classes) · $255

    Next class starts Sunday, November 15

  • HO2 Beginning Home Obedience

    Real-world manners for dogs over 5 months: loose-leash walking, stays and coming when called, on the first command, even around distractions.

    6 weekly one-hour classes (some sessions are 5 weekly 75-minute classes) · $255

    Next class starts Wednesday, October 28

  • HO3 Advanced Home Obedience

    The next step after Beginning Home Obedience: more duration, distance and distractions, in preparation for off-leash control.

    6 weekly one-hour classes (some sessions are 5 weekly 75-minute classes) · $255

    Next class starts Wednesday, October 28

  • HO3.5 Continued Advanced Obedience

    Keep building on Advanced Home Obedience, with stronger, more consistent skills around distractions.

    6 weekly one-hour classes · $255

    Next class starts Wednesday, October 28

  • HO4 Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

    Get your dog ready for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, with the evaluation held in week 6.

    6 weekly one-hour classes · $265

    Next class starts Monday, December 14

  • HO5 Therapy Dog Prep

    Train your dog to bring comfort to people in need, with the skills to pass the main therapy dog tests.

    6 weekly 90-minute classes · $305

    Next class starts Saturday, November 7

  • HO10 Home Obedience Proofing for the Holidays

    A short class to proof your dog’s home obedience skills for the holiday season.

    3 weekly one-hour classes · $100

    Next class starts Wednesday, December 2

Students and their dogs posing on low platforms and boards around the training floor

In every class

Clear instruction you can follow at home

Our job is to give you clear instruction and easy-to-follow techniques based on dog behavior and communication. We’re proactive: we help you anticipate and prevent problem behavior before it begins. And we always aim to be fair to your dog and get to the root of a problem.

  • A detailed Lesson Booklet with the week-by-week lessons for your class.
  • A copy of Training your Family Dog, a reference on all types of behavior problems, nutrition, nail trimming and tooth brushing, plus answers to common questions.
  • Time in every class for your questions and problem solving.

Our training approach →Fees and packages →

Private lessons

Prefer one-on-one help, or working on a specific behavior problem? Book a private lesson in our facility.

Missed a class?

Make up a missed week in another class during the current session. Find a make-up class, then email the office to say which one you’ll attend.