Group 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
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Please note the following for Group Classes:
1. All class times listed are evening times, unless marked Daytime Class
2. Each dog may bring two humans to class
3. Make-ups are not available for missed classes
4. Dogs do not need to be spayed or neutered to come to class but females should not come to class during a heat cycle and in-tact males who repeatedly urine mark should wear a belly band provided by the guardian
DAYTIME CLASSES
Daytime classes are back!
Basic Good Manners, Building on Basics
and Fitness and Recreation are being offered
in daytime slots. See details below
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
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Companions for life start as
Puppies Raised Right
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The Puppies Raised Right program has been carefully designed to help your puppy thrive to their fullest potential. This unique 3-part program includes
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When you enroll in all three classes, you're giving your puppy the best possible start in life. They'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!
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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.
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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!
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Classes are registered and paid for separately
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One 6-week Puppy Essentials Class
One 6-week Puppy Kindergarten
Weekly Socialization Classes
Private Puppy Consults are available to get you some immediate help with your new puppy. An assistant trainer is available to come to your house and help with potty training, chewing, crate training, basic manners or anything else puppy-related! Puppy consults are for dogs under 24 weeks of age. Sessions are 1 hour at $165.
LEVEL 1
Puppy Essentials
Essentials and Kindergarten are designed to be taken as overlapping classes, they will complement each other
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for pups 8 - 19 weeks on the first night of class
6 weeks | each class is 1 hr long | $225 for all 6 weeks
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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, potty bells, drop it, accepting handling and grooming without biting.
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
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2024
Jan 18 at 6 - FULL
Feb 8 at 4:45 - 1 spot left
Feb 29 at 6 - skips 4/4
March 21 at 4:45 - skips 4/4 - FULL
April 18 at 6 - FULL
May 9 at 4:45 - FULL
May 30 at 6 - skips 7/4 - FULL
June 20 at 4:45 - skip 7/4 - FULL
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2024 con't
July 18 at 6
Aug 8 at 4:45
Aug 29 at 6 - FULL
Sept 19 at 4:45 - FULL
Oct 10 at 6 - skip 10/31
Nov 17 at 4:45 - skip 11/28
Dec 5 at 6 - skip 12/26 & 1/2
LEVEL 1
Puppy Kindergarten
Kindergarten and Essentials are designed to be taken as overlapping classes, they will complement each other
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For Pups 8 - 19 weeks of age on the first night of class
6 weeks | each class is 1 hour| $225 for all 6 weeks
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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.
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
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2024
Jan 9 at 4:45 - FULL
Jan 23 at 6 - FULL
Feb 6 at 7:15 - FULL
Feb 20 at 4:45 - FULL
March 5 at 6 - skips 4/2 - FULL
March 19 at 7:15 - skips 4/2 - FULL
April 9 at 4:45 - FULL
April 23 at 6 - FULL
May 7 at 7:15 - FULL
May 21 at 4:45 - FULL
June 4 at 6 - skips 7/2 - FULL
June 18 at 7:15 - skips 7/2 - FULL
2024 con't
July 9 at 4:45 - FULL
July 23 at 6 - FULL
Aug 6 at 7:15 - FULL
Aug 20 at 4:45
Sept 3 at 6 - FULL
Sept 17 at 7:15 - FULL
Oct 1 at 4:45
Oct 15 at 6
Oct 29 at 7:15 - taught by Caiti - skip 11/26
Nov 12 at 4:45 - skip 11/26
Dec 3 at 6 - skip 12/24 & 31
Dec 17 at 7:15 - taught by Caiti - skip 12/24 & 31
LEVEL 1
Puppy Socialization Class
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For pups 8 - 19 weeks old on the first day they attend
9 - 9:50 am Saturdays, $25 pay as you go
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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.
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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. Guardians stay with their 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
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Puppy Socialization Class will skip these Saturdays in 2024:
March 30, May 25, July 6, Aug 31, Nov 30, Dec 28
Basic Good Manners
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For Dogs 20 weeks old and up who like other dogs and are friendly with people
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks
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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.
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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.
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
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LEVEL 1
2024
Jan 8 at 5 - FULL
Feb 1 at 7:15 - FULL
DAYTIME CLASS Feb 2 at 11 am skips 2/23- FULL
March 4 at 5 - skips 4/1 - FULL
April 24 at 7 - FULL
April 29 at 5 - skips 5/27 - FULL
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2024 con't
June 12 at 7 - taught by Lu - skip 7/3: FULL
June 17 at 5 - skip 7/1 - FULL
Aug 5 at 6 - skip 9/2 - FULL
Aug 26 at 5pm - FULL
DAYTIME CLASS Sept 22 at 10:30am- 1 spot left
Sept 23 at 6pm - FULL
Nov 4 at 7pm​
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Our facility is under construction and so is our schedule, please check back soon
LEVEL 2
Building on Basics Class
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6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks
To be taken after BGM / PK or equivalent course
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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.
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
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2024
Jan 8 at 7 - FULL
Jan 10 at 6 - FULL
DAYTIME CLASS Feb 2 at 10am skips 2/23: FULL
March 4 at 7 - skips 4/1 - FULL
March 6 at 6 - skips 4/3 - FULL
April 24 at 6 - FULL
April 29 at 7 - skips 5/27 - FULL
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2024 con't
May 23 at 7:15 - 2 SPOTS LEFT
June 17 at 6 - skip 7/1
July 11 at 7:15
July 31 at 7 - FULL
DAYTIME CLASS Aug 16 at 10am - skip Aug 30
Aug 29 at 7:15
Sept 18 at 6
Sept 23 at 7
Oct 14 at 5
Oct 30 at 6 - skip 11/27
Nov 4 at 7 - skip 11/25
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Loose Leash Lassie
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6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks
to be taken after Building on Basics Class
You'll enjoy walking your dog again once they understand how to move in sync with you. There are two ends of the leash; the dog's end and the handler's end. This class will train both parties and help build communication between handler and dog. This class is not for dogs who bark and lunge at dogs and people on walks (that is best addressed in Private Behavior Consults)
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
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LEVEL 3
2024
Jan 8 at 6 - FULL
March 4 at 6 - skips 4/1 - FULL
April 29 at 6 - skips 5/27 - FULL
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2024 con't
June 12 at 5 - skip 7/3
July 31 at 5 - 2 SPOTS LEFT
Sept 18 at 7
Oct 30 at 5 - skip 11/27
Bouncing Benji
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks of class
Pre-req: Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Good Manners Class
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"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.
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2024
March 6 at 7 - skips 4/3 - FULL
April 24 at 5
July 31 at 6
Sept 18 at 5
Oct 30 at 7 - skip 11/27
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LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
Therapy Dog Class
6 weeks | 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks of class
For dogs 1 yr of age and up.
Pre-Req: Basic Good Manners Training (here or equivalent class elsewhere) and Loose Leash Lassie Class
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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.
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2024
DAYTIME CLASS October 18 at 12:30 - FULL
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Reactive Rover
6 weeks | each class is 60 min | 4 participants only |
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This is a Behavior Modification course for dogs that bark and lunge at other dogs while on leash. In class, dog will learn to relax and make better choices in the presence of other dogs.
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BEHAVIOR
MODIFICATION
Our facility is under construction and so is our schedule, please check back soon
Fitness & Recreation
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 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
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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!
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2024
Jan 10 at 7 - FULL
March 6 at 5 (skips 4/3) - 2 spots left
DAYTIME CLASS Aug 16 at 11:30 - skip 8/30 - FULL
DAYTIME CLASS Oct 18 at 10:30am
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SPORTS
LEVEL 2
Tricks Class
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks of class
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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.
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these are the start dates of new courses, each course runs for 6 weeks in same the day/time slot
2024
please check back, the schedule will be updated shortly
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Canine Cognition
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks of class
it is recomended to take Tricks class before Cognition to help grow your dog's repertoire of behaviors
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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.
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Please Check Back for Upcoming Classes
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LEVEL 4
SPORTS
Rally Class Coming soon
6 weeks | each class is 50 min | $225 for all 6 weeks of class | taught by Lu
Pre-req: Loose Leash Lassie
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Our facility is under construction and so is our schedule, please check back soon