Dog Training
Philosophy - Mutual Respect, Understanding and Enrichment:
We want to
provide you and your canine companion with the best dog training
you can find anywhere! We design our obedience classes and
private lessons to go beyond standard training; we are truly a
canine education program that offers a continuum of learning
opportunities. Whether you have a new puppy, a rowdy adolescent,
an inconsistent adult, or a sedate senior dog we have a training
option available. If your dog is perfect or just the perfect
candidate for improvement we can meet your needs in a safe,
supportive and fun environment.
more on philosophy...
Teaching
Strategies – positive, innovative and humane
We utilize respected learning theory that addresses both human
and canine learners! Our Canine Educators understand how both
you and your dog learn. We understand that different dogs have
different drives and varied motivation. We know that some class
participants are new to the joy of learning with their dog, and
others are seasoned dog enthusiasts who are seeking to add to
their extensive knowledge base. Share your dreams with us and we
can help you chart the course to reach your goals. Classes and
private lessons are designed to be fun AND cognitively
stimulating for everyone. We provide plenty of time for
demonstration, practice and discussion. We vary our teaching
activities to include games and problem-solving procedures. We
focus on teaching humans and their canine family members how to
effectively communicate with one another and the results are
happy people and dogs who leave each class with new skills.
more on strategies...
Great Dog Foundation Canine Learning
Courses - Group Training Classes
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You must be pre-registered to
join our classes. Drop-in sign-ups are not permitted
unless pre-arranged with our Canine Education Desk.
Puppy Playtime: A supervised
session for puppy socialization
Great Dog
offers weekly "Puppy Playtime" sessions for puppies ages 9 weeks
to 5 months.
Socialization is key to a puppies learning environment.
Through playing with peers as well as other individuals, puppies
learn how to interact with other breeds & people. They
also experience bite inhibition which lays the foundation for a
bite-free life. Dog bites can be prevented by owners being
proactive with their puppies social skills. These social
opportunities also start to build a recall (come!) that will
take your puppy through his lifetime of learning. These
sessions are not designed to replace the four-week Puppy Steps
class, but to enhance your puppy’s exposure to alternative & new
experiences. These sessions serve as socialization opportunities
to play and learn. Instructors provide structure, games
and will be on hand to answer your additional question about
life with your puppy! These sessions serve as excellent
preparation for Puppy Steps or Basic Obedience and are most
effective when coupled with a class.
We host Puppy Play times each
Saturday from 3-4pm. No reservations needed!
Saturday socializations are held in our Annex Training Space
11325 Roosevelt Way NE (check in at the Shoppe) Cost:
$3 per puppy per session
Puppy Steps:
A four week dog training class with
a choice of two puppy play sessions*
Puppy kindergarten and obedience.
This class focuses on basic skills, socialization and helps new
dog parents answer questions related to the trials and
tribulations of puppyhood. Since socialization is so
important, additional puppy play sessions may be purchased and
are encouraged! Clicker Puppy is a new format to Great
Dog. Clicker Puppy following positive reinforcement and
off leash work as detailed by
Ian
Dunbar. Classes are held either at our Main
Training Space (Daycare) or in our Annex Training Space which is
located at 11325 Roosevelt Way NE
Price: $105
For puppies
ages 9 weeks through 5 months. Puppies must have had their 2nd series of
shots prior to beginning classes.
Super Puppy! (Advanced)
Designed for puppies who have
graduated puppy steps, but are not old enough or developed
enough to begin Basic Obedience. Curriculum follows the
Dr. Ian Dunbar philosophy of early socialization and inventive
training games that engage you, puppy's mind and body. All
puppies under 10 months. Puppies ages 11 & 12 months must have
approval from the instructor or Judi. YOU and YOUR PUPPY
must have taken a previous puppy socialization class but it does
not have to have been a Great Dog puppy class. Small class
size to ensure the best experience for learning. Classes held
in our Annex at 11325 Roosevelt Way NE. Price: $135
Basic Obedience; a six week dog
obedience & training class
For dogs 6 months to 16 years!
This class lays the foundation work for a positive and
interactive future relationship with your canine pal. It
also can serve as a refresher course for dogs needing a little
touch up work. Learn how to motivate your dog to sit,
down, watch you, walk on a loose leash, go to a bed, stay, wait
and recall to you! Your dog will love this positive
approach to training and you will be overjoyed with the
relationship you develop with your dog. Classes depending
on time and day will be held at either our Main Building
(daycare) at 11333 Roosevelt Way NE or our Annex at 11325
Roosevelt Way NE. Price: $135
Proof It! Refining and Reinforcing Basic Obedience Skills
$107 If
you have completed Basic, maybe even taken it several times, but
your dog needs to polish her basic skills, this is the class for
you! We will work on “proofing” basic skills and manners for
consistency and duration. The best part of this class is the way
we “proof” skills. We use unique games, fun practice and lots of
positive input. If your dog is trying to earn the Canine
Good Citizen endorsement or if your dog is just too young or
active for the advanced obedience class dash on in and join in
the fun. You will learn a variety of ways to help your dog
be consistent and happy about showing off their exemplary
obedience skills. Price: $107
Advanced Obedience...the next step to a Canine Good Citizen (C.G.C.)
Preparation & Exam
A well controlled, polite dog is a great companion
and friend. It also helps dispel the myth that dogs are
not good city dwellers. Manners are essential when family
and friends come over, you run into an old buddy at Greenlake,
while on a stroll up to the market, etc. The Canine Good
Citizen test is a practical exam that you take with your dog.
Recognized by the AKC as a standard of excellence, both mixed
breeds and purebreds are proud to display their certificate.
Prepare yourself and your dog for success. Price:
$135
CGC Exam Only:
Perfect for re-trys, for dogs with extensive backgrounds in
training and don't need a class or for dogs that are gearing up
for a Therapy team that requires the CGC. Tests are
conducted once a month and are by appointment only. Email
Christine
(or call 206.526.1101 ext 206) to set up a time! Price:
$20
Next Exam Dates (by appointment):
Monday, June 2 Appts available btwn 5-6pm
Specialty Classes & More
Back Yard Agility: Fun for Everyone's Dog
For those dogs and people who are looking to have fun, gain
some good skills but not interested in competition agility.
Back Yard Agility is designed for individuals seeking to
learn a few basics in order to interact with their dog on a
non-competitive level. Enrich your dog's life by
introducing him or her to tunnels, chutes, dog walks, front
and rear crosses, A Frames (short), jumps and weave poles.
All Back Yard Agility classes will be held in the Main
Training Space (daycare) Price: $160
Short Stuff Backyard Agility (ONLY for all breeds under
18") Level 1 & 2 This class is ONLY for dogs less than 18” in height. The
provides dogs of small stature, but big attitudes with the
opportunity to jump at heights set in a range from 4”
to 16”, with adjustments for long-backed and short-legged
dogs. All obstacles are set closer together for the ultimate
non-competitive agility workout. Taught by Judi
Anderson-Wright Great Dog’s resident terrier expert. Bring
your Bassets & Bichons, coral your Cairn Terriers &
Chihuahuas…any little bit of a dog will have a blast in this
class. NO AGGRESSIVE dogs allowed and your little bundle of
energy must have a solid recall as we work off-leash.
To participate in Level 2, both you and your dog will need
to have participated in Level 1. Price: $160
Great Tricks with Clicks-Introduction to Clicker Training
Clicker
training is a quick way to shape behaviors. Used with
dolphins and whales, clicker training has taken the animal
training world by storm. There is even a class where you
can clicker train a chicken! Much more kind on the hands,
our clicker class is a whole lot of fun. Learn how to use
a clicker and how to teach your dog fun tricks so fast you won't
be able to shake a paw at it! For all ages of dogs.
All dogs can learn new tricks.Price: $135
Therapy Animal Preparation Course
Course instructors, Laurie Hardman and Judi Anderson-Wright
focus on teaching the many aspects of working in partnership
with a therapy animal to promote health and effective bonding
between humans and animals.
This course trains and screens volunteers and their pets for
therapeutic programs and purposes in hospitals, nursing homes,
rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities. Focus is
placed on learning how to handle the many aspects of the
environments that you and your animal companion could visit.
Utilizing role playing and effective dog handling skills
participants gain a clear understanding of the teamwork needed
for this kind of animal-human partnership.
It is essential that your dog be people and dog-friendly. We
also expect that participant dogs can walk on a loose leash,
sit, down, stay and recall.
Class activities will provide you with the opportunity to
practice and prepare to take required evaluations to become
registered with the organizations that support therapy animal
volunteers. At Great Dog we provide evaluations for both
our Connecting Canine's program and for Delta Pet Partners.
Course
content is designed to meet the standards for registering
with established organizations such as Therapy Dogs
International, Therapy Dogs, Inc.and the Delta Society.
It also serves as the building block foundation class for
Connecting Canines, a puppy and dog therapy program.
Upon successful completion of this course, passing the
Connecting Canine's behavioral and written tests, attending
the Connecting Canine's shadowing requirement as well as
successfully registering with our Connecting Canine's
offices, you will be eligible to participate in the Great
Dog Therapy Team which provides volunteer visit
opportunities in a wide variety of settings in the Greater
Seattle area. Cost: $160
For more information on Pet Therapy Societies that we support
please see the following links:
Class is Full Thursday May
1-June5 7:15-8:15 in Annexno class 8/30 & 9/6
I
tsy Bitsy's Obedience - Small Breeds 10lbs
and under only!
Finally a class geared for the smaller set! Specialized
training techniques designed for the petite dog in your life
make it big in manners & social skills. If it can fit in
your pocket or purse as an adult, this is the class for
you! Class is held in our Annex (11325 Roosevelt Way NE,
southern most door on campus) Price: $135
Shy to Sensational Dog!
This class is specifically for dogs who are fearful of people,
new situations and other dogs. If you dog tries to hide when
visitors come, or if it panics when another dog approaches, or
even begins to bark and snarl out of fear this is the perfect
class for you. We only take 6 dogs per session to reduce stress
and over stimulation. We will take small steps each week to help
your dog become familiar with different people, situations and
our mentor dogs. This class will accommodate only 6 dog and
applicants must complete a phone interview with Julie. In
addition, they may ask to meet you and your dog prior to class.
Class is held in our Annex at 11325 Roosevelt Way NE Cost: $107
Noses Know!, Scent Games
Dog's noses are amazing. Learn the fundamentals of scent
tracking for fun & cognitive stimulation. For all breeds,
all ages and puppies. No handler experience required.
Enrich your canine's world by exploring activities that are
designed for pooches. Cost: $160
More Noses Know! Advanced Scent Games
- $107
Aggression & Over Reaction Issues
G2- From Growls to Great Dogs, Level 1 This class is designed
to help dogs that are overly assertive when they encounter other
dogs. This class is not for dogs who have harmed
another dog or person. Specifically for dogs that need
practice interacting with other dogs appropriately and for
owners who need to learn how to manage their dogs challenging
behaviors. Issues such as leash aggression, lunging,
excessive barking and growling will be worked on in a highly
structured setting with multiple experienced instructors.
This class will accommodate only 6-8 dogs and applicants must
complete a phone interview with Susan Shearer, our lead
instructor. In addition, Susan may ask to meet you and
your dog prior to class. Growl classes are held at our
Main Building(daycare) at 11333 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. Cost:
$175
no class July 5th
Growl Reunion- Level 2
By permission of Instructors ONLY! This class four week
class is designed as a refresher for our former Growl to Great
Dog graduates. Spend these four weeks working with Susan
and Miriam to hone the skills that you learned in your
first growl class. An excellent way to get ready for
upcoming summer outdoor activities. Growl classes are held in
the Main Training Space (daycare) at 11333 Roosevelt Way NE.
Cost: $117
Reactive to Refined, Over Reaction Issues On and Off Leash
This class is designed to teach people how to best teach and
support dogs that are overly reactive to other dogs, people and
in novel circumstances (a motor cycle speeds by unexpectedly; a
trash can is left on the sidewalk, etc.) This class is not for dogs who are
aggressive and/or have harmed another dog or person.
We will use progressive positive behavior conditioning to
develop new responses to situations that promote your dog to
over-react. This class will accommodate only 6 dogs to ensure
effective learning and practice. All applicants must complete a
questionnaire and phone interview with Judi Anderson-Wright,
CPDT and Julie Sharp. Both Judi and Julie have studied with some
of the nations experts on highly reactive dogs. Be prepared to
learn new ways of relating to your dog that will increase their
ability to handle challenging situations. The first week of
class we will divide the participants into pre-scheduled 10
minute individual work sessions to complete a baseline
evaluation. All sessions will be video taped to help facilitate
effective learning. Reactive Dog to Refined Dog
classes are held at our Main Building (daycare) at 11333
Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle. Cost: $175
Class is full Sat. April 26-June 14 in
Daycare 11:30-12:30
No classes 5/24& 6/7th
no class July 5t
Sessions & Workshops
Reliable Recalls-Games and Technique
A recall is one of the most difficult skills to achieve with
high reliability. Ensure that your dog will come running
to you with enthusiasm each time you recall her! Designed
to develop a consistent recall working it via fun games so you
and your dog have a blast. This session provides multiple
strategies for introducing; practicing, reinforcing and
mastering effective recalls. All Recall classes are held in our
Main Training Space (Daycare) at 11333 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle
Cost: $54
Terrier Time: TNT! Terriers Need Tactics
Does your terrier listen to you only on their terms? Do you
sometimes think that “terrier” translated into human language
means “terrible”? Great Dog is well known for being a “terrier
rich environment” Join Judi Anderson-Wright, resident terrier
lover and CPDT for a new class! Judi will help you learn the
tactics needed to motivate a terrier to be the best that they
can be. Develop an understanding of how terriers think and what
motivates them. Learn the five secrets to teaching a terrier how
to be the best dog they can be, even if they are as smart as any
of us! We will work our terriers both on and off leash. NO
AGGRESSIVE dogs allowed. Please email
judi@gogreatdog.com if you are not sure if this is the right
class for you. Price $107
Terrier Time, Mind Your Manners
We will work on walking nicely on leash and off leash without
bolting away, how to fetch and return with a toy or object, how
to sit still for 5 minutes without interrupting or breaking the
sit, how to “settle down” on command, and how to handle common
distractions without going bonkers. Price: $107
Happy Heeling!
Learn how to have a happy and composed dog that will gladly
walk, or even prance, right next to your side. This skill, know
as “heeling” in competitive obedience, simply means a dog that
walks without hesitation and with consistency in position right
next to your heel. Teaching your dog to heel allows for
off-leash control, no pulling on the leash and is one of the
foundations of Rally Obedience. A well-heeling dog is a
delightfully happy site to behold. We use fun games and
activities that will have your dog at your heel with a huge
smile on its face. This class is held in our large daycare/Main
Training space. Please enter through the Shoppe. Price $54
Connecting Canines Therapy Dog and Delta
Pet Partner Evaluation Times
Pet Partner & Connecting Canine evaluations are available by
appointment. Partners & Connecting Teams need to have
either completed a Therapy Animal Preparation
class, have a current or recent (expired within the past 6
months) endorsement from a supporting organization that needs
re-evaluation or the Delta Society Homestudy. Please
contact
Christine
to schedule your evaluation.
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Please note
that some classes offered on this webpage may be full. If
the class is full, upon receiving your application a Great Dog
Staff member will call to arrange an alternative solution. If
you would prefer to sign up via telephone, please call
206.526.1101 ext 205. Our canine education desk is
available Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri 9-5 and Tuesday's 12-6pm.
You may also stop and signup with our Concierge's Desk.
Refunds or schedule changes?
You must be
pre-registered to join our classes. Drop-in sign-ups are
not permitted unless pre-arranged with our Canine Education
desk.
Refund, Switching Classes & Missed
Class Policies.
Cancellations and Refunds: If for some reason you
cannot make the first night of class and/or need to change your
class time/date, please let us know as soon as possible.
Great Dog will honor refund requests up to 72 hours before the
start of class. However, because we typically have a long
wait list for our classes, we cannot refund or issue credit
after the class has started.
Switching Classes: Requests to
switch class days or take a later class will be honored up until
the day of the registered class. If we feel that your dog is in
the wrong class, the instructor may request a switch after the
first class session.
Missed
Classes:
There are no make up classes and attendance at the first
class is required for graduation. For any missed classes
following the first session, we will be happy to pass along
homework assignments to you. You may also opt to set up a
private lesson with our class instructor to get caught up.
Private lessons are $45-$85 dollars per hour.
Contact us Monday-Friday
9:30-6, Saturday 9-6, Sunday 10-5 for additional information
