Training Classes and Private Consultations

Training Classes

Thinking Dogs continues to expand our depth of knowledge and pool of talented trainers. We are now able to offer a large variety of classes every week. Some classes are basic and necessary, such as Life Skills and Puppy Class. Other classes are just plain fun, like Tricks Class. We have other classes for dogs who may want to try a new skill, Advanced Obedience, Nose Work, Rally, or are Dogs with Concerns. For a list of current classes, click here.

We teach owners how dogs learn and how to teach dogs in a way that gets dogs involved in the learning process, thinking, and retaining their new knowledge. We help owners learn how to read a dog’s behavior, a skill that we use constantly to reduce the chances of being bitten or putting dogs in a situation that would lead them to bite. We help build a bridge between a dog’s perception of the world and a human perception. We explain specific learners versus general learners and how to help a dog learn to generalize. In our basic classes, we teach specific skills sets – sit, down, stand, target, relax to touch, come, leave it, loose lead walking, in many different ways so that owners can see that there is no one way to teach and so that dogs can practice these skill sets to mastery.

We want to work with thinking dogs. We help owners learn to set up this trait in their dogs and then watch what unfolds. Thinking dogs easily pick up new skills, generalize old skills, and confidently try new things. They are unafraid of the unknown and do not just respond to their hardwiring. Thinking dogs continue to learn new tricks into old age and delight in new experiences. They are a pleasure to live with and provide true companionship to their owners and friends. Let us help you turn your dog into a thinking dog – contact Nancy to sign up for a class today!