Intermediate Manners Classes

Build reliable skills for everyday life. These classes focus on improving listening, addressing common behavior challenges, and creating clear communication between you and your dog. Whether you’re moving beyond the basics or working through specific issues, you’ll find structured training that delivers real-world results.

This training is a good fit if you:

  • Have completed a manners or puppy class
  • Want better focus and listening in real-world situations
  • Are dealing with common challenges like pulling on leash, jumping, or reactivity
  • Want to strengthen communication and consistency

Workshops

In addition to regular classes, we offer a variety of Manner workshops for all skill levels, great ways to practice at your own pace.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Therapy Dog

Do you and your pup have the basics down?

Is your pup ready to tackle more advanced behaviors and reliability of existing behaviors to prepare for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title or maybe a career as a therapy dog?

These classes are what’s next after a solid foundation of basic manners.

Young bi-colored Australian Shepherd running to a tug toy

Sports Prep

This 6-week class will teach you and your dog key engagement and foundational skills for sports like Agility and Rally-Obedience.

🚫 Reactive dogs (dogs that aggressively bark, lunge, or growl at people or dogs) are not eligible for this class, but may be suitable for Reactive Rover. Please contact us for recommendations.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of one of our Companion Manners classes or instructor approval

Learn more and Register

Learn more and Register (classes after 7/26)

AKC Canine Good Citizen Prep

This 6-week class series is designed to prepare you and your pup for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. It is also ideal for anyone who wants to expand their skills, teach their dog advanced behaviors, and build reliability of existing behaviors at a distance and around distractions.

🚫 Reactive dogs (dogs that aggressively bark, lunge, or growl at people or dogs) are not eligible for this class, but may be suitable for Reactive Rover. Please contact us for recommendations.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of one of our Companion Manners classes or instructor approval

ℹ️ AKC registration is not required for the class or test, but would be required to receive the Title Certificate from AKC.

Learn more and Register

Learn more and Register (classes after 7/13)

Therapy Dog Prep

In this 6-week course, you and your dog will learn the skills necessary to volunteer to visit hospitals, special needs centers, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities. Therapy dogs need to have a calm and gentle disposition. They must be good around other dogs, calm when strangers pet them all over, not jump on others, walk on a leash without pulling, and not be startled by things such as strange noises, smells, and medical equipment. 

This course provides specific instruction to prepare for testing with Alliance for Dogs (formerly TDI), which is an accredited therapy organization through the American Kennel Club (AKC). 
Prerequisite: An appropriate temperament and completion of Companion Manners or a similar class. Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test completion is a plus, but not necessary.

Check availability and sign up here

Doggy Life Skills

Are you ready to up-level skills like recall and loose-leash walking so you and your pup can live your best lives together?

Do you have a dog that loses their ever-loving mind reacting to other dogs, going deaf to your verbal cues for them to be quiet or be nice?

Doggy Life Skills builds on a solid foundation of basic manners, and it can also offer a refresher for older dogs who have maybe picked up some bad habits since completing basic manners training.

Young bi-colored Australian Shepherd running to a tug toy

Rapid Recalls

Does your dog refuse to come when called? Run away or play keep-away when you try to catch him at the park? Or do they chase after squirrels or other dogs even when you call them? Learn how to teach your dog to reliably come when called, in any scenario! In this 4-week class we will be going over fun games and exercises to help your dog learn to listen in controlled training scenarios as well as real life situations. 

Special Equipment Needed:

  • Lots of treats ranging from medium- to high-value
  • A 12-15’ leash, or two leashes clipped together (not needed in Week 1)

🚫 Reactive dogs (dogs that aggressively bark, lunge, or growl at people or dogs) are not eligible for this class, but may be suitable for Reactive Rover. Please contact us for recommendations.

Prerequisite: None

Check availability and sign up here

Wonderful Walking

Does walking your dog feel like a shoulder workout? Do you want a walk in the park to feel easy and fun? In this 4-week class, you’ll learn how to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash. We will be covering fun games and practice scenarios to help teach your dog to walk nicely with you to prep for neighborhood walks, walking in a store, walking on a trail, and more!

Special Equipment Needed:

  • Collar
  • Well-Fitted Harness (such as the Ruffwear Front Range or 2 Hounds Freedom No-Pull)
  • 4-6′ Leash (no flexi/extendable leads)
  • A lot of pea-sized medium- and high-value treats (jerky treats or freeze dried meats work well)

🚫 Reactive dogs (dogs that aggressively bark, lunge, or growl at people or dogs) are not eligible for this class, but may be suitable for Reactive Rover. Please contact us for recommendations.

Prerequisite: None

Check availability and sign up here