Classes & Schedule
Classes are held at: 918 B Harris St. Charlottesville VA 22903
TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS
Click the "Register for..." button under each class that you would like to enroll in
Please read about more Group Class POLICIES Here
Please note the following policies for Group Classes:
1. We are wearing facemasks during classes. Masks must cover your chin and nose and should not have an exhalation valve
2. Each dog may bring two humans to class
3. Make-ups are not available for missed classes
Behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral problems, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive socialization before they are fully vaccinated. - AVSAB
Companions for life start as
Puppies Raised Right
The Puppies Raised Right program has been carefully designed to help your puppy thrive to his or her fullest potential. This unique 3-part program includes
When you enroll in all three classes, you're giving your puppy the best possible start in life. He'll learn not to jump up, how to walk on leash, not to bite you, that nail trimming is fun, that new things aren't scary, and so much more!
Puppy Essentials and Puppy Kindergarten are designed to be taken as overlapping classes and will complement each other. I recommend starting in Essentials, followed by a Kindergarten class starting a few weeks later. It is also ok to complete the entire Essentials course and then start Kindergarten. The ideal age for enrolling in Essentials is 8 – 14 weeks. The ideal age for enrolling in Kindergarten is 8 – 18 weeks. These age recommendations are just guidelines but the age cap for both classes is 19 weeks on the first night of class. It is ok if pups age past 19 weeks during the course of the classes, 19 weeks is the cut off for the first night of class only.
Pick a start date from the schedule below for the Kindergarten and Essentials classes.
Start attending Puppy Socialization class anytime, even before your classes start!
Classes are registered and paid for separately
One 6-week Puppy Essentials Class
One 6-week Puppy Kindergarten
Weekly Socialization Classes
LEVEL 1
Puppy Essentials
Essentials and Kindergarten are designed to be taken as overlapping classes, they will complement each other
for pups 8 - 19 weeks on the first night of class
6 weeks | each class is 1 hr long | $210 for all 6 weeks
Puppy Essentials provides socialization and confidence building through experiencing a weekly "theme". Themes include agility/ obstacles, things that move, different surfaces and much more. Puppies need to have these novel experiences while still very young as part of helping them grow into confident adults who are comfortable in a variety of situations. This sets them up to do therapy dog work or to be a family dog who can travel and go anywhere. In Essentials we also cover: relax on the mat (calm yourself down), chin rest, crate games, choice games, accepting handling and grooming without biting. This class emphasizes working in partnership with the handler instead of having off-leash playtime with other puppies. For off-leash playtime, join us in Puppy Socialization Class.
these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2023
Jan 12 at 6 - 1 spot left
Feb 2 at 7:15 - 2 spots left
Feb 23 at 6 - FULL
March 16 at 7:15 – skips 4/6 - FULL
April 13 at 6 - FULL
May 4 at 7:15
May 25 at 6
June 15 at 7:15 - skip 7/6
July 13 at 6
Aug 3 at 4:45
Aug 24 at 6
Sept 14 at 7:15
Oct 5 at 6
Oct 26 at 7:15
Nov 16 at 6
Dec 14 at 4:45
LEVEL 1
Puppy Kindergarten
Kindergarten and Essentials are designed to be taken as overlapping classes, they will complement each other
For Pups 8 - 19 weeks of age on the first night of class
6 weeks | each class is 1 hour| $210 for all 6 weeks
This manners training class for pups covers paying attention, sit, down, touch, come, leash walking, stay, leave it, polite greeting (Don't jump Up). Play time is included in class in two short sessions.
these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2023
Jan 10 at 6 - FULL
Jan 24 7:15 - FULL
Feb 7 at 4:45 - FULL
Feb 21 at 6 - FULL
March 7 at 7:15 – skips 4/4 - FULL
March 21 at 4:45 – skips 4/4 - FULL
April 11 at 6 - FULL
April 25 at 7:15 - FULL
May 9 at 4:45 - FULL
May 23 at 6 - FULL
June 6 at 7:15 - skips 7/4
June 20 @ 4:45 - skips 7/4
July 11 at 6
July 25 at 7:15
Aug 8 at 4:45
Aug 22 at 6
Sept 5 at 7:15
Sept 19 at 4:45
Oct 3 at 6 - skips 10/31
Oct 17 at 7:15 - skips 10/31 & 11/21
Nov 7 at 4:45 - skips 11/21
Nov 28 at 6 - skips 12/26 & 1/2
Dec 12 @ 7:15 - skips 12/26 & 1/2
Puppy Socialization Class
For pups 8 - 19 weeks old on the first day they attend
9 - 9:50 am Saturdays, $20 pay as you go
Socialization class is available to puppies that are already registered for Essentials and/ or Kindergareten. Pups can start Socialization class at any time, including before their Kingergarten and Essestials classes start.
This class provides puppies with off-leash playtime as well as the opportunity to meet new people. Four play spaces are created so that puppies can be divided by size and play style. Owners stay with puppies while they play and learn how to monitor play to keep pups safe, what is and isn't good play and how to help shy pups be brave. Puppies can start attending Socialization Class before their Kindergarten or Essentials classes start.
Every Saturday Morning from 9 - 9:50 am
Puppy Socialization Class will skip these Saturdays in 2022:
Jan 1, April 9, May 28, July 9, Sept 3, Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 31
Puppy Socialization Class will skip these Saturdays in 2023:
April 8, May 27, July 8, Sept 2, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30
LEVEL 1
Basic Good Manners
For Dogs 20 weeks old and up who like other dogs and are friendly with people
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks
This class is for dogs who are over the age limit for Puppy Kindergarten but still need to learn the basics. Basic Good Manners covers all the same things as the Kindergarten class: Paying attention, sit, down, look, touch, come, leash walking, stay, leave it, polite greeting (not jumping up). Off-leash playtime is not incorporated into this class.
This class is for dogs who like other dogs and are friendly with people. Dogs that are fearful, or lunge/bark/growl should register for a private Behavior Consult. A Behavior Consultation will help your dog learn skills in a stress-free environement. Then, if deemed appropriate, a group class might be a good setting for continued learning.
these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2023
Jan 9 at 6 - FULL
Feb 2 at 4:45 - FULL
Feb 27 at 6 – skips 4/3 - FULL
March 16 at 4:45 pm – skips 4/6 - FULL
April 17 at 6 - FULL
May 17 at 7:10 - FULL
June 12 at 6 - skips 7/3 - FULL
Aug 7 at 6 - skips 9/4*
Sept 9 at 1:30 pm*
Sept 23 at 2:30pm*
Oct 21 at 1:30pm* - skips 11/25
Nov 4 at 2:30 pm* - skips 11/25
*taught by Assistant Trainer Lucinda Shannon
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
Building on Basics Class
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks
To be taken after BGM / PK or equivalent course
This class is part 2 of Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Good Manners. Be sure to maintain a good relationship with your adolescent dog with this class that emphasizes self control and attention on the handler while having fun. Continue to expand foundation level skills with new exercises like Drop it and Place. Build better behaviors by working on more advanced Stays, Leave Its and Leash Walking skills. There is not off-leash playtime in this class.
Students who have done a foundation level training course elsewhere or have done their foundation manners training at home can take this class as a next step. Prior to coming to class dogs must understand a "marker" (click or yes) and must know: Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It, Look, Come. "Don't Jump" is not covered in this class, "Don't Jump" is covered in Basic Good Manners and Puppy Kindergarten. For more in-depth work on "don't jump" check out Bouncing Benji Class.
these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2023
Jan 9 at 4:45 - FULL
Jan 9 at 7 - FULL
Feb 1 at 6 - FULL
Feb 27 AT 4:45 – skips 4/3 - FULL
Feb 27 at 7 - skips 4/3 - FULL
March 22 at 6 -skips 4/5 - FULL
April 17 at 4:45 - 2 spots left
May 17 at 6 - FULL
June 12 at 5 - skips 7/3
June 28 at 6 - skips 7/5
Aug 7 at 5 - skips 9/4
Aug 30 at 6
Sept 25 at 5
Sept 25 at 7
Oct 18 at 6
Nov 6 at 5 - skips 11/20
Nov 6 @ 7 - skip s 11/20
Dec 6 at 6 - skips 12/20 & 12/27
Loose Leash Lassie / Focused Fido
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks
to be taken after Building on Basics Class
You can't have a Loose Leash Lassie if you don't have a Focused Fido! While the ultimate goal of this class is to improve your leash walking skills, a lot of time is spent learning how to deal with distractions. This class is for dogs who are hopelessly distracted by the environment around them and eager to greet every dog / person / squirrel / leaf they see. This class is not for dogs who bark and lunge at dogs and people on walks (that is best addressed in Private Behavior Consults)
these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2023
Feb 1 at 5 - ONE SPOT LEFT
Feb 1 at 7:10 - FULL
March 22 at 5 – skips 4/5 - FULL
March 22 at 7:10 – skips 4/5 - FULL
May 17 at 5 - FULL
June 28 at 5
August 7 at 6
Sept 14 at 4:45
Sept 25 at 6
Oct 26 at 4:45 pm - skips 11/23
Nov 6 at 6 - skips 11/20
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 2
Tricks Class
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks of class
Come have fun with your dog! Learn Peek-a-Boo, Sit Pretty, Chill Out, and much more. Tricks class will help you prepare for Canine Cognition class by expanding your dog's repertoire of behaviors.
these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2023
please check back for upcoming classes
LEVEL 3
Therapy Dog Class
6 weeks | 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks of class
For dogs 1 yr of age and up who have had Basic Good Manners Training
Testing is optional at the end of the course
The Therapy Dog Class is designed to help you become a certified therapy team with your dog. You will take 6 weeks of classes, which will help prepare you to pass a test and give you skills to help you while working in the field. Testing is optional at the end of the 6 week course for an additional fee. Testing is only for class participants.
2023
**just added** June 12 at 7 - skips 7/3
June 15 at 4:45 - skips 7/6 - one spot left
testing for these classes is on July 31 at 5pm and 6:30 pm
Canine Cognition
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks of class
it is recomended to take Tricks class before Cognition to help grow your dog's repertoire of behaviors
Challenge your smarty-pants dog in this class! Class material includes learning to identify shapes and colors, copy things that we do, matching, and counting. A fun class for the advanced (and patient) dog/handler team who love the process of learning together.
2023
Please Check Back for Upcoming Classes
LEVEL 4
Bouncing Benji
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks of class
Pre-req: Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Good Manners Class
"Don't jump up"! Teach your dog self-control and attention on the handler around distractions that cause over-arousal. Learn Say Hello and Paws Off. Play choice games to help your dog learn to choose behaviors other than jumping.
2023
Aug 30 at 5
Oct 18 at 5
Dec 6 at 5 - skips 12/20 & 12/27
LEVEL 2
Fitness & Recreation
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $210 for all 6 weeks of class
Pre-req: Building on Basics Class.
Dogs must be friendly with other dogs and people. For some of the class, leashes will be off or dropped, occasional chaos will ensue
This class will include body awareness exercises, flexibility and strength training, balance exercises, and general confidence building. This is an active class for those looking to deepen their working relationship with their dog. Go home with a tired dog!
2023
Aug 30 at 7:10
Oct 18 at 7:10
Dec 6 at 7:10 - skips 12/20 and 12/27
LEVEL 3