Which Dog Training Class Should We Take?

Compare classes using the chart below.

After the chart, we have suggested Tracks (recommended order for classes) and Case Studies. 

Confused? Please call or email us if you are not sure which class(es) to take, and we'll sort you out right away! (206) 364-4072

Course Name (click for full description & schedule)	Age or Size Restrictions	Pre-Requisites	Class Type	# of sessions	Current students allowed to drop in?
Puppy Kindergarten	2-5 months at first class	one DHLPP shot at 6 weeks or later + 10 days to take effect (should eventually get 3)	Ongoing	6 weeks, drop into any number of sessions, reserve 1-3 weekly classes	Yes - puppy students only
Puppy Kindergarten - small breed	Under 20 pounds at adult weight, 2-6 months at first class	same as above	Ongoing	6 weeks, drop into any number of sessions, reserve 1-3 weekly classes	Yes - small or shy puppy students only
Puppy Kindergarten - large breed	Over 50 pounds at adult weight, 2-5 months at first class	same as above	Ongoing	6 weeks, drop into any number of sessions, reserve 1-3 weekly classes	Yes - puppy students only
Kindergarten students can only attend drop-in eligible classes below *without* their dogs
Puppy Catch Up	5-9 months at 1st class	Three DHLPP shots	Ongoing	6 reserved sessions - drop into extra classes for free	Yes
Puppy Jr. High	5-9 months at 1st class	Puppy Kindergarten (or permission), three DHLPP shots	Series	6 weekly sessions - drop into extra classes for free	No
Basic Dog Manners	5 months to adult	3 DHLPP shots (plus rabies, if old enough)	Series	4 weekly sessions - drop into extra classes for free	No
Intermediate Dog Manners	5 months to adult	3 DHLPP shots (plus rabies, if old enough)	Ongoing	6 reserved sessions - drop into extra classes for free	Yes
Advanced Dog Manners	5 months to adult	3 DHLPP shots (plus rabies, if old enough)	Ongoing	6 reserved sessions - drop into extra classes for free	Yes
Backyard Sports & Games	5 months to adult	3 DHLPP shots (plus rabies, if old enough)	Ongoing	6 reserved sessions - drop into extra classes for free	Yes
Control Unleashed 1	Adult	Advanced Manners	Series	6 weekly sessions - drop into extra classes for free	No
Control Unleashed 2	Adult	Control Unleashed 1	Ongoing	6 reserved sessions - drop into extra classes for free	CU1 grads only
Agility 1	Adult	Instructor permission (see page for test info)	Series	6 weekly sessions - drop into extra classes for free	No
Agility 2-4	Adult	Instructor permission (pass previous class)	Ongoing	6 weekly sessions - drop into extra classes for free	Agility students with instructor permission only
Growly Dog	all ages	none, except age-appropriate vaccinations	Series	6 weekly sessions - drop into workshops without dog for free	No
Bravery Boost Seminar, Barky Dog Workshop, Possession Aggression Seminar	all ages	3 DHLPP shots (plus rabies, if old enough)	Workshop	1 session	Yes
Private Behavior Consultation with Mireille Baumoel (Severe problems)	Any age	none	one-on-one	varies	No
Private Behavior Consultation with Carly Davis (follow-ups or less severe problems)	Any age	none	one-on-one	varies	No

Tracks - which class follows which?

Starting with a Puppy (less than 5 months):

• Standard Route: Puppy Socialization > Puppy Jr. High > Ongoing Classes   (Intermediate can be skipped).
• Take an Orientation asap.
• If you didn't have much time for skills training when you did puppy class, take the Puppy Catch-Up class next, and you won't miss a beat or feel left behind.

Starting with a Dog over 5 months (you can jump in the middle if the skill level is higher):

• Orientation
• Puppy Catch-Up
• Take ongoing or series classes that match your needs!

Case Studies - which one sounds like you and your dog?

• My Labrador Retriever puppy is 5 months old.  He has no training history with us, though he might have been trained in the past. Which dog training class is best for us?

  Puppy Catch-Up class is the best place, because it still has socialization, but also has training. It is for dogs 5-9 months old. By contrast, the age limit for starting Puppy Kindergarten is 5 months for standard-sized breeds and 6 months for breeds that will end up being less than 20 pounds at their adult weight. Dogs cannot attend puppy class after 6 months old for most breeds, 7 months for small breeds, so you could technically take 4 weeks of puppy class.
  
  Our Puppy Jr. High classes (Puppy Jr. High) require previous puppy classes (at Ahimsa or elsewhere), so if you want to go that route, sign up for the an ongoing class like Basic Manners or All Levels until you've got the basics, and switch over to Puppy Jr. High. Or you can stay in the ongoing classes if you prefer that flexibility. 

• We just adopted a dog from the shelter. She knows her basic commands of sit, down, stay, leave it, leash walking, and come, but she doesn't listen well in public. I have trained other dogs using positive reinforcement (but not the clicker).  She is 1 year old.  Which class is best?

  I'd recommend Basic Manners with an Orientation, because she is older than 5 months and you haven't yet trained with the clicker. You can learn how to train with the clicker fairly easily, since you've trained using rewards before. The actual clicker is also an optional tool.

• My dog is just over 6 months. We have not done any formal training but she knows the basics: sit, down, come, stay, but doesn't always follow through.   A friend suggested agility training. She isn't thrilled with dogs but not at all aggressive (she often runs away). I want a well trained dog, one other people will enjoy too. What should I start with?

  I would say the most appropriate class for your dog is the Custom-Scheduled training program, taking the Bravery Boost and Nose Work.  In addition, you can take some of the other training classes, once you've taken the Bravery Boost to get you started.

  Getting her over her fear will help make class experiences (agility or otherwise) more fun for both of you.

• My dog lunges and barks at other dogs.  I'd like to be able to feel safe walking my dog, like I don't have the Most Obnoxious Dog in the neighborhood.  Is there a class for this?

• Our Growly Dog Class is an excellent way to help make your walks and other encounters with dogs more pleasant.    Even if your dog is just shy and you think it might develop into aggression, Growly Dog Class would be great. In that class, only one student dog attends each session (humans attend all 6).  We have 'neutral' dogs to help us work on your dog's aggression problem.

  [Schedule and Registration]

• My dog has some aggression problems, especially on leash.  Should I take a manners class first, or Growly Dog class?

  We recommend Growly Dog class before other classes if your dog frequently growls and/or lunges at other dogs on leash.  In that class, you'll learn ways of getting more control over your dog as well as making him or her less likely to feel the urge to act aggressively. We do not have a minimum training level for the Growly Dog class.

  [Schedule and Registration]

• I'm getting a new puppy.  When should she start class?

  Start the Puppy Kindergarten training and socialization class asap. Your puppy needs at least her first DHLPP shot - the new ones are now given at around 6 weeks old. 10 days after that first shot, she can come to class.  Please make sure she is not coughing or otherwise sick when you bring her to puppy school.

  [Schedule and Registration]

• My puppy is 4 months old.  She's already had a puppy class.  What should we take now?

  You could either take another round of puppy training class (because your puppy is under 5 months) or sign up for the next class, Puppy Jr. High. The curriculum for Puppy Jr. High is for puppies between 5 and 9 months old that have a fairly good concept of sit, down, stay, leave it, leash walking, and come, but she need not be perfect yet. 

  [Schedule and Registration]

• I see that you have different Membership Levels for puppy class, where I can reserve from one to three days per week. Which one is right for me?

  It depends on your schedule and your dog.  If your schedule is constantly changing, then reserve just one day each week (like Saturdays at 10) and drop into the other days.  If you want to make sure there's space for you because you're busy or you're driving from Mukilteo or you're taking the bus to class, then reserve each of the classes that you might want to attend. If your dog is shy or you need structure to make sure you work on the training, then plan on attending more puppy classes per week - either reserved or drop-ins. Generally speaking, the more days you can come, the better.

• I have two dogs.  Should I sign them both up for the same class?

  If you do, each dog will need his/her own human handler.  With the way our All Levels Manners class is set up, you can take the same class, even though the dogs are at different training levels.

 

All materials copyright Grisha Stewart and Ahimsa Dog Training, © 2003-2006, unless stated otherwise.