The methods you will learn in our classes are fun, humane and stress-free for both you and your dog. By taking small, easy-to-follow steps and using positive reinforcement, you and your pup will learn to work together, enhancing your communication and strengthening your bond. The classes use science-based techniques, always with an eye to the unique ways that you and your dog learn.

The Academy offers a broad curriculum for all levels of experience, from puppy kindergarten to canine university. Class descriptions below will help you find the right learning environment for you and your dog.

Why you should train your dog:

• Training gives your dogs confidence
• Training helps address unwanted behaviors
• Training provides mental & physical stimulation
• Training strengthens your bond with your pet
• Training is rewarding for both you and your dog and so much more! Sign up today!

Pawsitively Puppies Classes

(For puppies under five months)

Start out on the right paw with a puppy class that focuses on the puppy/parent relationship. Pawsitively Puppies classes are stress free and make learning fun. You will use games and positive reinforcement to help your pup develop into the great companion you know he or she can be.

School of Pawsitive Rewards Classes

(For dogs five months and older)

Want to take your best friend out to coffee or stroll around in public places with ease? Enroll in the School of Pawsitive Rewards classes, in which you and your dog will learn new skills, fine-tune already learned behaviors, and use these lessons in real life situations.

School of Pawsitive Electives Classes

(For dogs five months and older)

Our School of Pawsitive Electives also offers alternative and elective classes for the sensitive or advanced pup. Receive science-based, positive reinforcement training for challenging situations from our training professionals to guide you to a healthy, happy relationship with your dog!

Kinderpuppy

Cost: $125

Series length: 4 weeks, 45 minutes per class

Description: A safe and fun learning environment for you and your puppy. Your pup will develop important socialization skills with other pups and their humans. Through games and easy exercises, you will develop basic skills such as sit, come, go-to-mat, and beginning leash-walking.

Requirements: Puppies should be 5 month old or younger when starting the class. Proof of at least one distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to start of class. Proof of current rabies vaccination if puppy is over four months. Proof of current bordetella vaccination. Photo proof of vaccinations must be emailed two days prior to the start of in-person classes or your dog will not be able to attend class.

Prerequisites: Puppy Webinar (will be provided to registered students prior to the start of class)

Drop-off Puppy Play

Cost: $125

Series length: 4 weeks, 45 minutes per class

Description: Since early socialization is key to your dog’s well-being, the HSSC has devised this special class. Drop off your pup for supervised play with other dogs, go do an errand or get a cup of coffee, and then come back forty-five minutes later to pick up your tired, happy pup.

Requirements: Puppies should be 5 month old or younger when starting the class. Proof of at least one distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to start of class. Proof of current rabies vaccination if puppy is over four months. Proof of current bordetella vaccination. Photo proof of vaccinations must be emailed two days prior to the start of in-person classes or your dog will not be able to attend class.

Prerequisites: Puppy Webinar (will be provided to registered students prior to the start of class)

It’s Elementary Level 1

Cost: $125

Series length: 4 weeks, 1 hour/class

Description: A safe and fun learning environment for you and your puppy. Your pup will develop important socialization skills with other pups and their humans. Through games and easy exercises, you will develop basic skills such as sit, come, go-to-mat, and beginning leash-walking. We request that you sign up for both levels to ensure that you and your pup complete a full It’s Elementary experience. You will join It’s Elementary Level 1 first. Once you complete that course, you will continue on to It’s Elementary Level 2. The classes are designed to build on each other. PLEASE NOTE: The first week of class is a MANDATORY orientation. (bring your dog)

Requirements: Dogs should be over 5 months old when starting the class. Photo proof of the following vaccines are required to be emailed at least two days prior to the start of in-person classes:

• distemper/parvo combination vaccination
• current rabies vaccination
• current bordetella vaccination

Prerequisites: SOPR Orientation Webinar (will be provided to registered students prior to the start of class)

It’s Elementary Level 2

Cost: $125

Description: Continue on with the great work you did in It’s Elementary Level 1, adding distance, duration, and distraction to the lessons.

Requirements: Dogs should be over 5 months old when starting class. Photo proof of the following vaccines are required to be emailed at least two days prior to the start of in-person classes:

• distemper/parvo combination vaccination
• current rabies vaccination
• current bordetella vaccination

Prerequisites: SOPR Orientation Webinar and It’s Elementary Level 1

Junior Varsity Level 1

Cost: $125

Series length: 4 weeks, 1 hour per class

Description: Train as you live! Take the lessons you learned in previous classes out into the world. Practicing settling in new environments, reading your dog’s body language in new contexts, practice polite greetings while passing dogs and other pedestrians, and much more. You will practice in a variety of interesting places throughout the Barlow, and you and your dog will experience the kinds of distractions that occur in everyday life.

Requirements: Dogs should be 5 months old or older when starting the class. Photo proof of the following vaccines are required to be emailed at least two days prior to the start of in-person classes:

• distemper/parvo combination vaccination
• current rabies vaccination
• current bordetella vaccination

Prerequisites: SOPR Orientation Webinar and It’s Elementary Level 2

Junior Varsity Level 2

Cost: $125

Series length: 4 weeks, 1 hour per class

Description: Build on the skills you learned at the Barlow in several new locations. Learn to continue to connect with your dog through long line work and pattern exercises, learn to read their body language, and practically apply what you have learned so far. Each class will take place in a different location with unique challenges including parks, neighborhoods, cafe settings, and more!

Requirements: Dogs should be 5 months old or older when starting the class. Photo proof of the following vaccines are required to be emailed at least two days prior to the start of in-person classes:

• distemper/parvo combination vaccination
• current rabies vaccination
• current bordetella vaccination

Prerequisites: It’s Elementary Level 2 and Junior Varsity Level 1

Reactive Rover

Cost: $400

Series length: 8 weeks, 1 hour per class

Description: Welcome to our our popular Reactive Rover series. Does your dog bark, pull, jump and lunge at other dogs? If you are nodding your head, then Reactive Rover is the class for you and your pup. You will learn skills in evasive maneuvers, focus and attention, leash management plus how to help your dog make better choices.

After the human is confident and experienced in their reactive dog handling skills, then it is time for the next step where you will learn how to redirect your dog with innovative tactics and games. This class takes your skills to the next level.

Reactive Rover covers important foundation skills for handling a reactive dog that are essential to making a difference in the life of your dog.

*This class is not appropriate for dogs who display aggressive behavior towards humans. Please email dogtraining@humanesocietysoco.org for additional assistance.

**The first week is a mandatory orientation WITHOUT your dog.

Requirements: Dogs should be 5 months old or older when starting the class. Photo proof of the following vaccines are required to be emailed at least two days prior to the start of in-person classes:

• distemper/parvo combination vaccination
• current rabies vaccination
• current bordetella vaccination

Prerequisites: None.

Control Unleashed

Cost: $150

Series length: Four weeks, one hour per class

Description: Control Unleashed©, developed by Leslie McDevitt MA CDBC, is a framework for applying classical and operant conditioning procedures. Put simply, this is a series of training games that you can use to help your dog feel more comfortable and confident in the world. CU games are designed to be fun and simple for both dog and handler, to empower both ends of the leash. You will learn to harness the powers of predictability, choice, and positive reinforcement. We pay careful attention to the dog’s body language and their offered behaviors to ensure that they remain under threshold- meaning they feel safe enough to learn. This approach centers joyful participation, which leads to more humane and effective behavior modification than traditional coercive training methods. Any dog can benefit from the proper application of these training games. They can be especially helpful for dogs who show reactive, anxious, fear- or frustration-related behaviors. Even dogs who tend to thrive in different environments can benefit from the clear communication and choice aspects of this program. CU was actually originally designed to help dogs in and around the agility ring and has come a long way!

This class is led by Ali Sutch KPA-CTP CCUI DDP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, Certified Control Unleashed© Instructor, Dynamic Dog Practitioner). Ali is an experienced trainer who recently relocated to Santa Rosa from Oakland. She deals mostly with clients experiencing complex behavioral challenges, and takes a holistic approach that includes thoroughly screening dogs for signs of underlying pain/discomfort, setting households up with successful management and enrichment plans, and using effective positive reinforcement based methods. More information about her private training practice can be found here: www.uptosnuff.net

Requirements: Dogs should be 5 months old or older when starting the class. Photo proof of the following vaccines are required to be emailed at least two days prior to the start of in-person classes:

• distemper/parvo combination vaccination
• current rabies vaccination
• current bordetella vaccination

Prerequisites: Completion of It’s Elementary! Level

Introduction to Scenting

Cost: $175

Series length: 4 weeks, 1 hour, 15 minutes per class

Description: Unlock a world of fun and teamwork with your dog! In this introductory class, you’ll explore how to enhance your dog’s natural problem-solving abilities through nose work.

What You’ll Learn:

• Teach your dog to develop a search pattern for finding reinforcements efficiently.
• Strengthen your bond through engaging teamwork.
• Build your dog’s confidence and problem-solving skills in a fun and supportive environment.

This class is all about having fun while creating meaningful relationship-building moments with your furry friend. Whether for mental stimulation or a shared adventure, this class is perfect for dogs and their humans looking to connect on a whole new level!

Requirements: Dogs should be 5 month old or younger when starting the class. Proof of at least one distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to start of class. Proof of current rabies vaccination if dog is over four months. Proof of current bordetella vaccination. Photo proof of vaccinations must be emailed two days prior to the start of in-person classes or your dog will not be able to attend class.

Prerequisites: None.

Scenting for Fun Workshop

Cost: $25

Series length: One day class, 1 hour long

Description: Discover the joy of scenting—a fun and natural activity for your dog! This easy, one-session workshop introduces a rewarding game that taps into your dog’s instinctual skills.

Why Join?

• Build your dog’s confidence and focus.
• Strengthen your bond while working together.
• Learn to better observe and understand your dog’s behavior.
• Provide mental stimulation, especially for days when outdoor activities aren’t an option.

Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop is an engaging way to keep your pup happy and enriched!

Requirements: Dogs should be 5 month old or younger when starting the class. Proof of at least one distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to start of class. Proof of current rabies vaccination if dog is over four months. Proof of current bordetella vaccination. Photo proof of vaccinations must be emailed two days prior to the start of in-person classes or your dog will not be able to attend class.

Prerequisites: None.