ADULT DOG TRAINING
We do dog training differently.
Our programs focus less on traditional obedience and more on communicating with your dog, relationship building, and learning practical life skills.
Training is a life-long adventure. Dogs do not come equipped with the knowledge or skills to understand our crazy human world – it’s our job to teach them skills to help them succeed, guide them through challenges, advocate for them, and meet their instinctual needs.
Adulthood is when your dog finally matures mentally, physically, and socially. Just when you think you’ve made it through the adolescent phase you may see changes in your dog’s sociability towards other dogs or people, an increase in territorial behaviour, or other behaviour changes.
Whether you’ve adopted a new dog, want to do something fun with your dog, or your dog’s behaviour has changed (or maybe you’ve been living with issues for a while and are ready to make a change) we can help.
Check out our group and private training offerings lower on this page!
Unsure which class or program is right for you? BOOK A FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
Click the headline below to expand for more info:
group classes
Good dogs need a little help sometimes, too.
Training is a life-long adventure. Dogs do not come equipped with the knowledge or skills to understand our crazy human world – it’s our job to teach them skills to help them succeed, guide them through challenges, advocate for them, and meet their instinctual needs.
We offer several options for training support ideal for teenage dogs and their teenage problems.
Our Team Builders class series is fantastic if you want to learn how to train your dog yourself, and put in the time building that relationship.
Dogs must be over 4 months old, able to take food treats in public, and must be non-aggressive and non-reactive (excessive barking/lunging) towards people and other dogs to benefit from group classes.
Classes cover:
- attention to you around distractions
- self control
- polite greetings
- loose leash walking
- come when called
- stay and go to bed/stay
- wait at boundaries
- back up/excuse me
- play, enrichment, exploration and leadership.
All of our group classes are small so you’ll get a lot of instructor attention.
Team Builders – 6 weeks for $299 – FIRST CLASS IS ONLINE VIA ZOOM
Includes:
- 1 x Online Group Class
- 5 x In-Person Group Classes
- Access to Online Live Coaching Calls while enrolled
- Access to Online Classroom
- Access to Students-only Facebook group
- One Drop-In Class of Your Choice after completing Team Builders (Scent Puzzles, Fancy Feet Heeling, FUN-Gility, Disc, or Connection & Control)*
- Training Equipment Package ($120+value)
*must be used within 3 months of graduation Team Builders
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Sports & Fun Classes
We offer a variety of fun sports classes so you can do more with your dog. We offer nosework, tricks, heeling, and fun-gility classes. To see our sports class offerings as well as prices, start dates and pre-requsites please visit this page.
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NEW – BEHAVIOUR BREAKTHROUGH GROUP PROGRAM – Introducing our new group coaching program for understanding and resolving problem behaviours. For anyone who loves their dog but doesn’t love their behaviour.
If your dog is anxious, fearful, reactive, or an “obedience school drop-out” this class is for you.
Our Behaviour Breakthrough program includes 3 levels of online classes to give you the understanding and skills to work your dog through problematic behaviour. Building Balance covers everything you need to know to understand your individual dog, why problem behaviours develop, how to meet your dog’s needs, how to communicate with them, and how to be a good pet parent. Wild Child is all about training games to teach your crazy canine self control. Big Feelings is focused on leash reactivity for dogs, the most common behaviour issue we see! After completing the online series you will be able to attend in-person leash reactivity training classes.
Visit the Behaviour Breakthrough page to learn more…
Private Lessons Program
Our trainers will expertly guide you on how to get through the teenager phase as easily and stress-free as possible.
One-on-one coaching sessions are flexible schedule and curriculum wise, so your program can be tailored to cover exactly what you need. You’ll also find having the trainer come to your home and work with you and your entire family highly beneficial. You get a lot out of a one-on-one coaching session!
These sessions are recommended for help with general manners training (coming when called, walking nicely on leash, stay etc.) or minor behaviour issues like hyperactivity, poor impulse control, alert/demand barking, or jumping on people.
BOOK NOW – 3 lessons for $356.25 (Save 5%)
BOOK NOW – 6 lessons for $675 (Save 10%)
Additional lessons can be purchased at $125 each
– Trail, Rossland, Castlegar, Fruitvale
For lessons in Nelson and Salmo please book with our Behaviour Consultant.
For major issues like aggression (over food, toys, chews, being handled or otherwise), territorial behaviour in the house, or on leash reactivity (barking/lunging at people, dogs, or objects) please see the “SOS – I NEED HELP!” tab.
SOS! I NEED HELP!
Dog ownership can come with challenges. We get it!
If you are struggling with serious issues like aggression (growling, territorial behaviour, snapping, or biting), anxiety or fearfulness (separation anxiety, general anxiety, pacing, restlessness, excessive barking, fear of people, animals or other stimuli) or on-leash reactivity (barking and lunging on leash at people, dogs or objects) we are here to help.
Our programs focus less on traditional obedience and more on communicating with your dog, relationship building, and learning practical life skills.
We are dog behaviour experts. We believe dog behaviour problems are a symptom of issues in the environment, imbalances in the canine-human relationship, or the dog’s needs not being met. We’ll help you understand the root cause of your dog’s problem behaviours and develop a plan for long-term change.
Our training methods are positive-reinforcement and evidence-based. You’ll work with one of our Certified Dog Behaviour Consultants and Certified Family Dog Mediators. We believe strongly in continuing education and are always learning and striving to be better at what we do. This is why you’ll find our trainers have some of the highest credentials in the industry!
We love dogs and we love helping people build fulfilling relationships with their canine companions. We are here to bridge the gap between what you want and what your dog needs so you can learn to be someone your dog can really “hang their hat on”.
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BOOK A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION (Basic) – FREE
15 minutes. Recommended if you want to get to know us a little, get a better idea about why a behaviour issue is occurring and get some quick tips, or if you are unsure about what training program is best for you and your dog.
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BOOK AN ONLINE DISCOVERY SESSION (In-Depth) – $130
Recommended as a starting point for most behaviour issues. Done via Zoom (I know, we’re all “over it”), the online consultation is a great option to virtually sit down with a behaviour expert and deep dive into your concerns and goals. The online consultation is recommended because it is low stress for your pet and allows the consultant to see the dog’s behaviour at home in a more natural manner (without the added stress or excitement of a new person in the home). This online session is 75 minutes and will allow for an in depth assessment of the behaviour issues and why they may be occurring, We’ll help you understand what your dog’s needs are and how you can meet them and how to better communicate with them. Your consultant will work with you to develop a Behavioural Wellness Plan for your dog and get you started on exercises for behaviour change. A plan for follow up will also be recommended.
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NEW – BEHAVIOUR BREAKTHROUGH GROUP PROGRAM – Introducing our new group coaching program for understanding and resolving problem behaviours.
Visit the Behaviour Breakthrough Page to learn more.
Vaccination Requirements Dogs must be up to date on rabies, DHPP, and bordatella vaccinations for all training appointments. Proof of vaccination must be provided before the appointment time. We cannot provide services to dogs without up to date vaccinations, but can accept titer test results of exemption letters from your veterinarian if your dog cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.
Cancellation Policy We have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you are unable to provide this notice, we will charge you in full for the missed appointment if we are unable to fill the spot. Evaluations will be charged a no-show fee. We sometimes have a waiting list and if given enough notice we can fill the appointment. If you have an emergency, please let us know so that we can treat your specific situation with personal attention. We do not consider conflicts to be emergencies. There are no refunds on pre-paid classes less than one week before class start date and no refunds on pre-paid lesson packages. This cancellation policy is necessary for our small business to continue to serve our clients in need. Please call the store to cancel an appointment. E-mail cancellations will not be accepted. Thank you for understanding.