Group Classes Curriculum Details

Private coaching and group classes work together as connected parts of the training program. Skills are introduced and personalized during private sessions, then practiced, reviewed, and tested in group classes around real-world distractions.

The curriculum progresses through three levels: Basic Communication, Advancing Obedience, and Urban Proofing and AKC Prep. Students are assigned to the group class that most closely matches their current stage of private training.

When classes are scheduled back-to-back, students may receive permission from the trainer to arrive earlier to review foundational material or stay later to observe what they will be working toward. Students receive individualized attention and direct coaching during their assigned class.

Group classes are designed to strengthen skills that have already been introduced through private coaching and practiced at home. Challenges such as severe anxiety, persistent vocalization, or reactivity must be safely manageable before participating in a group setting. Once you and your dog are ready, you will be invited to the class level that best suits your dog’s current training needs.

Three-Part Group Class Curriculum consists of three progressive group classes, taught in this order:

1. Basic Communication Group Class

This class establishes the communication system that everything else in training will build upon. The focus is on helping owners communicate clearly, understand their dogs, and develop good timing and handling skills.

We rotate through foundations such as:

• Markers, engagement, and release cues
• Name recognition, eye contact, and focus
• Leash pressure and foundational leash handling
• Loose-leash walking and developing a calmer, more connected walk
• Using food, treats, toys, praise, and play effectively
• Reward placement and purposeful reinforcement
• Building implied duration into sit, down, place, and other commands
• Handler mechanics and timing
• Luring, shaping, capturing, and play-based learning
• Break down of Commands vs.Requests
• Understanding canine body language
• Games and mental stimulation that improve engagement and problem-solving
• Preventing common problems such as jumping, nipping, pulling, and excessive barking
• Creating short, effective training sessions
• Introducing training formulas and core frameworks, including the 3 E’s, 3 C’s, and 3 D’s
• Using structure and routine to support calmer behavior at home and on walks

The goal of the Basic Communication Group Class is to create a shared language between the owner and dog. Before moving into advancing obedience or expecting reliability around major distractions, both sides need to understand how information is given, how success is marked, and how expectations are reinforced.

2. Advancing Obedience Group Class

This class takes the communication system established in Basic Communication and uses it to advance stronger, more structured obedience skills.

The focus shifts from introducing behaviors to helping the dog perform them consistently, maintain them for longer periods, and respond under gradually increasing challenges.

We rotate through skills such as:

• Permission-based choices and calmer default behaviors
• The 3 D’s: increasing duration and distance under distractions
• Different walk styles, structure, and purposeful heel work
• Heel positions, turns, stops, and changes in pace
• Recall progressions, often using a long line
• Impulse control around rewards, people, and environmental opportunities
• Relaxation protocols and place work
• Building longer periods of focus and engagement
• Trick training for mental stimulation, coordination, and bonding
• Using shaping to build more complex behaviors
• Introducing long-line and off-leash foundations when appropriate
• Improving handler consistency, leash mechanics, and reward timing

The goal of the Advancing Obedience Group Class is to move beyond introducing individual commands and begin creating dependable patterns of behavior. Dogs learn what to do, how long to do it, and how to remain responsive as the work becomes more challenging.

3. Urban Proofing and AKC Prep Group Class

This class applies the skills developed in Basic Communication and Advancing Obedience to realistic situations. The focus is on building reliability, confidence, and emotional control for everyday urban life.

AKC-style exercises are used as practical training guides for evaluating public manners, handling, obedience, neutrality, and reliability. Passing an AKC test is not required.

We rotate through proofing exercises such as:

• Maintaining commands for longer periods and at greater distances
• Long-line and off-leash reliability when appropriate
• Redirecting jumping, barking, and overexcitement
• Managing reactivity to dogs, people, vehicles, noises, and movement
• Recovering and decompressing after excitement or stress
• Building confidence and emotional stability in unfamiliar environments

AKC Canine Good Citizen Prep:

• Accepting the approach of a friendly stranger
• Sitting politely for petting
• Remaining composed during grooming and examination
• Walking on a loose leash through a designated pattern
• Walking calmly through a crowd
• Performing sit, down, and stay
• Coming when called
• Remaining neutral when approaching and passing another dog-and-handler team
• Responding calmly to common distractions
• Remaining composed during a three-minute supervised separation

AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen Prep:

• Entering and exiting doorways without pulling
• Walking under control on a busy sidewalk
• Responding calmly to city noises, movement, and different surfaces
• Stopping and waiting before crossing a street
• Crossing streets under control
• Ignoring food and trash on the sidewalk
• Accepting polite petting in a public setting
• Remaining under control inside a dog-friendly public building
• Using stairs, steps, or elevators calmly
• Demonstrating appropriate housetraining and transportation manners

The goal is not robotic obedience. The goal is a dog-and-handler team that can communicate clearly, remain emotionally composed, and use their training successfully in real life.