Why attend obedience class?
Whether it be a puppy or an adult dog, obedience class is a great way to build the bond between you and your dog and help you to have a happy and healthy relationship with your favorite furry friend! Learn different ways of training and what works best for you and your dog! Learning new skills and teaching new behaviors will build your confidence and make training more enjoyable for both you and your dog. We are also able to cater to reactive dogs. If you have a reactive dog, please note that on your sign up sheet to ensure that we create a positive environment for you and your pooch!
What to bring to class:
• Leash: 4-6 foot leather, nylon, or cotton leash.
• Collar: Martingale or nylon collars are acceptable. Body and head harnesses are also acceptable.
• Treats: Small, tasty, and easy to eat! Cut up hot dogs, cheese, or lunch meat can be a great motivator!
• It also isn’t a bad idea to bring your pup’s favorite toy, bone or Kong to provide a distraction when necessary!
*Please no retractable leashes or prong, choke, or e-collars.
Requirements:
Owners are required to send proof of vaccinations for Distemper combo vaccine. Bordetella and Rabies vaccines are also required for appropriately aged dogs. Puppies MUST have at least two Distemper combo vaccines to attend class. Places in class can only be held if both payment and proof of vaccinations is received. Fees are non-refundable.
Canine Good Citizen
Monday’s 7:15-8:15pm (April 20th-June 1st) **No class on Memorial Day– May 25th**
Started in 1989, the Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC) is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The CGC Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club as well as their owner having bragging rights that their dog is a Good Citizen! Owner and dog must attend all six classes in order to be eligible.
Ages: All ages welcome but general cue base is highly encouraged
Cost: $125 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
Canine Good Citizen (Test Only)
By appointment only: Contact Sarah at behavior@harborhumane.org or 616.399.2119 x113
Just the Canine Good Citizen test. This is for those who feel their dog does not need the extra training the six-week CGC course provides.
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: $25
Trick Dog
Monday’s 6:00-7:00pm (January 27th-February 17th)
AKC Trick Dog is our newest class! It is for those pup and parent (or sibling) teams that are looking for something a bit more challenging. Learning tricks gives you and your pup yet another way to communicate. Why not collect a Trick Title or two along the way? This class explores cues like Spin, Roll-over, Crawl, and much, much more! A basic cue base is not required, but it is encouraged. This is a four-week class.
Ages: 12 weeks to 1 year
Cost: $80 ($5 discount for HHS alum)
S.T.A.R. Puppy
Monday’s 6:00-7:00pm (April 20th-June 1st) **No class on Memorial Day– May 25th**
The American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. (Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility). This class will teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. You’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including house-training, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. Upon completion of the course, your puppy will be eligible for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal along with other recognition incentives. Owner and puppy must attend all six classes to be eligible.
Ages: 12 weeks to 1 year
Cost: $125 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
Manners Class
Saturday’s 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (April 25th-May 30th)
No matter the age, your dog can learn new tricks and improve his or her manners! This beginners class covers the basics like Sit, Stay, Down, Leave It, Place, walking on a loose leash, and recall. This class is a must for pup and parents who have not attended an obedience class before.
Ages: 5 months and up
Cost: $99 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
Puppy Preschool
Saturday’s 10:15 – 11:15 am (April 25th-May 30th)
This is an introductory course to basic puppy obedience. We will start to build your puppy’s cue set and expose puppies to a variety of new adventures. In addition to class time, puppies will spend half of the class socializing with other puppies and people.
Ages: 12 weeks to 1 year
Cost: $99 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
Puppy Playtime
Saturday’s 9:00 – 10:00 am (Please keep an eye on Facebook for cancellations)
Early socialization is a crucial part of your puppy’s development. This drop-in playtime is an easy opportunity for your puppy to learn social skills in a safe and supervised environment. We create compatible puppy playgroups to ensure that everyone has a positive experience. Puppies will have the opportunity to play with other puppies along with breaks specifically intended to socialize puppies with other people as well. Through tailored play areas, we will also expose your puppy to new objects and experiences.
Ages: 8 weeks to 10 months
Cost: $55 ($5 discount for HHS alum)
Speciality Canine Classes
Meet the Trainer!
Paula Smith is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certified Council for Professional Dog Trainers and is the owner of Dog Blessed, LLC. Paula strives to enhance the lives of dogs and teach others about dog behavior and humane science based training techniques. Paula is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Muskegon Lakeshore Obedience Training Club, and PAWS in Grand Rapids. In her spare time, she likes to spend time training her own dogs and trialing in Agility and Nosework. Her dogs hold titles in CPE agility, AKC agility, UKC, AKC, and NACSW Nosework, Therapy Work, Advance Canine Good Citizenship, Tricks, Rally, and are always trying new things. Her goal is to strengthen the relationship between humans and canines in the home by focusing on enhancing cross species communication. She uses scientific based training focused on positive reinforcement and classical conditioning.
Sometimes you just need to cut out the distractions and learn one-on-one with the trainer! Paula Smith also offers one-on-one training sessions here at Harbor Humane Society or in your home based on your needs. Paula will work with you to help you communicate better with your dog and help both of you grow your bond! Paula donates part of her fee to HHS to help us continue our efforts. She is a certified dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
To schedule, email Paula at dogblessedllc@gmail.com or call at 616.430.0297
Fear Free Vet Visit
Wednesday 6:00-6:45pm
Dates: March 25th – April 29th
6 Week Class
Description: Many beloved companion animals are not getting the health care they need to live their best life, despite all the advances in medical care. One of the main reasons is Fear, Anxiety, and Stress involved in visits to the vet. Health care begins at home. Some care is provided at home and we can prepare our dogs to do see their health care provider (i.e. vet). This class will help guardians identify stress and learn how to teach their dogs to not fear veterinary care. It will also help them train behaviors to help veterinarians properly evaluate them and provide services they need. Teaching dogs to be active participants in the care rather than forcing it on them will reducing their stress. These training tools will also help our companion animals in everyday situations they encounter at home or other places.
Ages: 4 months and up
Cost: $125 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
$50 audit (attendance without dog)
Introduction to Agility
Wednesday 7:00-7:45pm
Dates: March 25th – April 29th
6 Week Class
Description: Agility is a fun sport that can help any dog build confidence. In this class, dogs will learn basic agility obstacles and body awareness exercises. Handlers will learn about leading dogs on a course. Dogs should have a strong recall for this class and be able to be crated when not working. This class is a must for anyone looking to explore the fun and exciting world of agility!
Ages: 6 months and up
Cost: $125 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
Reactive Dog Class
Wednesday 8:00-8:45pm
Dates: March 25th – April 29th
6 Week Class
Description: Are you embarrassed to bring your dog in public? Does your dog lunge and bark at people? Does your dog go nuts on a leash when he sees another dog? Then this class is for you! We know that this can be a frustrating problem and difficult for the person at the other end of the leash. You may not understand why your dog does this or why you can’t get them to stop it. Through the class, we teach handlers why this happens and how best to deal with it. We then work to teach dogs alternative behaviors to being reactive. This is the perfect class to help you make those evening strolls enjoyable and not stressful! You may also sit through the class without your dog to learn the techniques and take them home to practice in the environment in which your dog struggles. This is good for dogs that have an intense response or only react to a specific trigger or environment.
Ages: 6 months and up
Cost: $125 ($10 discount for HHS alum)
$50 audit (attendance without dog)
**Please call or email Sarah at 616-399-2119 x113 or behavior@harborhumane.org to ensure that your dog is a good fit for this class!