Dog Training Classes
Welcome to Canine College
If you are interested in a class that is not currently available, please reach out to us at training@eastbayspca.org to be added to our waitlist. You can also learn more about our private dog training.
Awaiting an opening in our Private Training or Calm, Cool, and Collected class, or want to get a head start on the course material? Our 40-minute “Dog Reactivity Basics” introductory webinar is perfect for you. Available in both English and Spanish for $35.
Our beginner classes are geared towards dogs of all ages that need an introduction to foundational skills. We have classes specializing in puppy socialization and basic manners for dogs of all ages!
Our advanced classes are geared toward those who have previously taken classes and for human-dog teams who are looking to achieve that next level of behavior and training greatness! Read the description to determine if a pre-requesite is necessary for enrollment.
Our specialty classes are designed to be fun, informative, and really take your behavior and training to the next level!
Beginner
Puppy Stars – In-Person
Puppies should be between 8 – 16 weeks old at the start of class.
Bringing out the Einstein in Your Puppy: Start your puppy off right in our cutting edge puppy socialization class. We’ll provide positive exposure to people, dogs, and novel stimuli; help you prepare your pup for grooming, vet care, and other handling; teach you foundation training skills such as relaxation on a mat, sit, recall, leash walking, and targeting; and we’ll focus on puppy-specific topics, such as resource guarding prevention, crate training, potty training, and teething. This class is everything you need to know to raise a puppy!
Prerequisites: None.
Price: $200 for 6 week class ($175 adopter price—if pet was adopted from a non-profit welfare organization)
Freshman Class – In-Person
For dogs over 16 weeks of age who are comfortable being around unfamiliar dogs and people.
Start off your dog’s education: Calling all students! Build a strong foundation of communication and training skills so you can work with, not against, your dog. Humans learn the basics of positive reinforcement training and clicker training. Dogs learn the basics of being a polite pup. Together you learn to communicate, have fun and build trust.
Skills you and your dog will learn through the class and training exercises:
- How to build engagement and focus
- Relaxation on a mat (including in public!)
- Foundation skills like sit, down, stay and nose targeting
- Building a habit of keeping the leash loose on walks
- How to begin building a strong recall
Prerequisites: Dogs must be 4 months of age or older and comfortable being in a room with other dogs and people. Dogs must have current Rabies and DH2PP vaccines.
Price: $200 for 4 week course ($175 for adopted animals)
Sophomore Class – In-Person
New school year, new skills: We’re so glad you came back for the Sophomore Class. It’s time to train your dog to come back too! This class focuses on training reliable recall, so your dog always comes back when called. You’ll also learn new training techniques, multiple uses for skills you trained as a freshman and how to fine tune behaviors by gradually adding difficulty. Your dog will learn that listening to you leads to great things!
Skills you and your dog will learn through the class and training exercises:
- Building a strong recall (come to me) behavior
- Intermediate level skills (chin rest, paw targets) which will become advanced communication tools
- Station behaviors where you can send your dog to a specific area, target or mat.
- Useful walking skills (walk beside me, leave it)
- Exercises that will allow your dog to focus around more exciting stimuli
Prerequisites: Freshman Class or equivalent experience. Please contact us at Training@eastbayspca.org if you have questions on whether your dog is appropriate for this class.
Price: $200 for 4 week course ($175 for adopted animals)
Advanced
Junior Class – In-Person
Out of the classroom and into the world: Junior Class is all about taking your dog’s skills out of the house and into the streets! Learn how to create long-lasting, reliable behaviors in an unpredictable world. This class focuses on adding duration and proofing behaviors against distractions. You’ll also learn a few new and useful skills like waiting at doors.
Skills you and your dog will learn through the class training exercises:
- How to take your Freshman and Sophomore Class behaviors to the next level
- How to create reliable behaviors, even in the face of distractions.
- How to ask your dog to wait on cue at thresholds and when moving
- “Middle” cue, a between your legs default position (sometimes called “guard,” or “center”)
- Practical applications of your strong new behaviors
Prerequisites: Sophomore Class or equivalent experience. Please contact us at Training@eastbayspca.org if you have questions on whether your dog is appropriate for this class.
Price: $200 for 4 week class ($175 for adopted animals)
Senior Class – In-Person
Canine College final exams: Seniors Rule! It’s time to show off how much we’ve learned and find out what amazing things we can do! This class focuses on shaping and adding distance. Shaping is a training method that teaches complex behaviors by breaking them down into achievable steps. Adding distance allows us to ask for behaviors and tricks from far away. We’ll also spend time learning about cooperative care and how to make grooming and vet visits more enjoyable.
Skills you and your dog will learn through the class training exercises:
- Cute tricks to impress your friends
- Having your dog respond to cues from a distance
- Preparing your dog to cooperate with or even enjoy grooming and veterinary care
Prerequisites: Junior Class or equivalent experience. Please contact us at Training@eastbayspca.org if you have questions on whether your dog is appropriate for this class.
Price: $200 for 4 week class ($175 for adopted animals)
Canine Good Citizen (Prep & Test) – In-Person
For puppies and dogs that are 6 months and older by the first day of class.
Our Canine Good Citizen class is designed to practice the 10 test items you and your dog must pass in order to receive the AKC CGC certificate. The test includes meeting novel people politely, accepting petting and grooming, walking nicely on a loose leash alone and through a crowd, demonstrating Sit, Down, Stay, and Come, meeting another leashed dog, remaining calm during sight and sound distractions and being separated from owner for 3 minutes. On the last day of class, a certified AKC CGC evaluator will conduct the test and determine at that time whether your dog has passed the test.
You and your dog will attend all 5 classes together.
Prerequisites: Completion of our Canine College courses up to Junior level or an equivalent training program.
Price: $225 for the 5 week class ($200 for adopted animals)
Specialty
Calm, Cool, and Collected
The Class for Your Feisty Fido: Does your dog growl, bark, or lunge at other dogs, people, or sometimes apparently random things? Do you wish you could walk your dog, but his aggressive behavior is embarrassing and/or even a little scary? Learn the tools to help your dog feel safe and remain calm in the presence of triggers.
Price: $250 for 6 week class ($225 for adopted animals)
Awaiting an opening in our Private Training or Calm, Cool, and Collected class, or want to get a head start on the course material?
Our 40-minute “Dog Reactivity Basics” introductory webinar is perfect for you. Available in both English and Spanish for $35.
Intro to Nosework
For dogs that are 6 months and older by the first day of class.
Nosework is an easy to learn activity that uses a dog’s natural abilities for hunting to find hidden treats, toys or other items. This game builds confidence and focus as the dog is rewarded for doing what comes naturally! It’s also a safe way to provide mental and physical exercise to all types of dogs. Handlers will learn about dog body language and how to motivate your dog, which are great tools for developing your relationship with your pet!
Prerequisites: None.
Behavioral Appropriateness: Dogs work one at a time so this is a great class for dogs that are not comfortable around other dogs. Dogs must be crate trained and able to handle confinement in a crate between turns.
Price: $200 for 6 week class ($175 for adopted animals)
Nose Work 2: Introducing Odor
For dogs that are 6 months and older by the first day of class.
Introducing Odor is a continuation of skills from our Intro to Nose Work Class. Dogs are taught to identify the target odors: Anise, Birch, and Clove. Skills that each handler will acquire from the class include search techniques, dog/handler teamwork and reading the dog’s body language during the search.
Prerequisites: Dogs and handlers must have completed Intro to Nose Work and have instructor approval to register for this class.
Behavioral Appropriateness: Dogs work one at a time so this is a great class for dogs that are not comfortable around other dogs. Dogs must be crate trained and able to handle confinement in a crate between turns.
Price: $200 for 6 week class ($175 for adopted animals)
Scholarship Program
We have a scholarship program to offer financial assistance with helplines, private trainings, and group classes. Scholarships are available for both feline and canine training. If you are interested in applying for financial assistance with a behavior program, please fill out our Scholarship Application.