DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR PROGRAMS

Tri-County Humane Society offers a wide variety of classes to meet the needs of dogs and their owners.  Our mission is to provide family friendly humane training that enriches the life of dogs and their families. 

TCHS has classes geared toward all dogs; special needs dogs, shy and fearful dogs, as well as reactive and aggressive dogs. 
TCHS offers more than classes.  We also provide 90 minute Help! Seminars to address common concerns such as barking, pulling on leash, and boredom. 

Please scroll down for detailed information on training classes, Help! Seminars, and a current schedule of classes.

Training Classes

Puppy Socialization.  For puppies 8-weeks to 6-months old. 

Socialization is now recognized as an important skill for the normal development of all dogs.  Puppies will have the opportunity to learn to play with puppies of a similar age and meet new people.  Puppy basics such as housetraining and biting will be covered.  Skills such as sit, down, and come will be introduced.  Puppies and owners who successfully complete this course will receive an AKC S.T.A.R. puppy certificate (http://www.akc.org/starpuppy/).

Dog Training Level 1.  This class is open to all dogs and puppies.  

Students will learn how to teach basic obedience skills all dogs need to live happily in their homes.  Skills taught include; sit, down, walking on leash without pulling, come, and stay.  Training is positive and develops a strong relationship between dog and owner.

Dog Training Level 2.  Prerequisite - Level 1. 

This class is a continuation of Level 1 with the goal of mastering the skills required for the Canine Good Citizen (AKC.org).  Skills taught in Level 1 will be strengthened.   Dogs will also learn how to work when distractions or other dogs are nearby. 

Agility for Fun.  Prerequisite - Level 2 plus the dog must be at least 1 year old.  This class is for those that would like to try agility in a non-competitive environment.  Dogs will learn to jump, go through tunnels and use other agility equipment as appropriate. 

Tricks.  Teaching tricks to your dog can be fun and rewarding.  A variety of tricks will be introduced.  Students will have the opportunity to learn to design and teach their own tricks with the input of the instructor. 

Special Needs Classes

Reactive Dogs 101.  Prerequisite - permission of the instructor.  

This class provides help for the dogs who bark and lunge at other dogs.  This class uses proven techniques such as classical conditioning and desensitization to help the dogs learn how to relax and stay calm.   

Wallflower Dogs.  Prerequisite - permission of the instructor. 

Is your dog shy or lack confidence?  If so, this is the class for you. You will learn how to read your dogs body language to better understand his responses.  Class will emphasize confidence building, methods to encourage your dog to investigate scary situations and objects, and help him to look towards you when you are feeling uncertain.

Help! Seminars

These seminars are designed to address common behavior problems and provide teaching strategies to reduce the unwanted behaviors.

Help!  My dog won’t stop barking.  Is your dog’s barking driving you and your neighbors nuts.  This seminar will help you understand the different reasons dogs bark and provide strategies to quiet your dog.  This seminar is for people only, please leave your dog at home.

Participant maximum per class= 15

Cost $20

Help! My dog won’t stop pulling.  Are you tiered of your dog pulling you down the road when he is on leash?   Does your dog huff and choke herself when she pulls?  This class is for friendly dogs who are chronic leash pullers.  We will learn new strategies to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash.  Gentle Leaders and Easy Walk harnesses will also be demonstrated as excellent no-pull tools.

Participant maximum per class= 6 dog and handler teams. 

Cost $25

Help! My dog won’t stop digging.  Dogs dig for a variety of reasons from boredom to make a cool place to lay.  Learn why your dog digs and strategies to reduce his excavating habits.  This seminar is for people only, please leave your dog at home.

Participant maximum per class= 15

Cost $20

Help!  I can’t clip my dog’s nails.  Do your dog’s toenails clank as they walk across the floor.  Are you tired of fighting your dog to try and clip them?  Does the groomer hide when you bring your dog in for a nail clip?  Long toenails put stress on the ligaments and tendons of a dog’s foot which is unhealthy.  Learn how to correctly clip your dogs nails.  Learn how to teach your dog to accept having its toenails clipped.

Please bring a non-slip rug such as a bath mat, a toenail clipper if you have it, and lots of good treats.

Participant maximum= 6

Cost $25 

Help!  I can’t groom my dog.  Does your dog struggle when you try and groom them.  Is the brush some evil “swampthing”?  This seminar will cover the proper use of grooming equipment for your dog’s coat and how to teach your dog to accept basic grooming.  This seminar will not cover using a clipper or how to trim dogs based on their breed standards.

Participant maximum= 6 dog and handler teams. 

Cost $25 

Help!  My dog's not housetrained, yuck!  Is your dog still having accidents in the house?  Are you at wits end?  This seminar will discuss the common pitfalls of housetraining and discuss strategies to help your dog “clean up” its act.  This seminar is for people only, please leave your dog at home.

Particpant maximum= 15. 

Cost $20

Help! My dog jumps all over people.  Does your dog think she is the official greeter, often leaving muddy footprints all over you and your guests?  Your dog can learn proper manners.  This seminar will show you how. 

Participant maximum= 6 dog and handler teams. 

Cost $25

Help! My dog doesn’t come when called.  Does your dog ignore you when you call him from the backyard?  If she gets loose she will be loose for hours while you try to catch her.  Does your dog run and hide when you call their name?  Coming when called is a “life skill” that all dogs should know.  This seminar will identify common reasons why dogs fail to come when called and give you the building blocks necessary to teach your dog to come when called.

Participant maximum= 6 dog and handler teams. 

Cost $25