Dog Training Classes
Alana Stevenson’s positive dog training classes are humane and reward-based. Dog training classes allow you to teach your dog during distractions in group settings and to expose your dog to people and other dogs in a fun, but calm way.
For all dog training classes, Alana teaches Leash Handling Techniques — techniques she created that rely on the principles of isometrics and proper body mechanics. Effective leash handling enables dog owners to teach dog on a leash without yanking or pulling on the dog. Class sizes for dog training classes are limited to 10. Specialty dog training classes are limited to 6.
For more on Alana’s dog training methodology & philosophy, see FAQ’s.
Puppy Training Class
(Dogs under 4 months old)
Puppy training classes are for dogs under 4 months old. Your puppy will learn basic behaviors such as giving you attention, coming to you, how to sit, lie down and how to wait. Important issues for puppy owners will also be addressed such as housetraining and how to handle chewing, play-biting, and jumping. Socialization to people and other puppies is a primary focus of the class.
Your puppy must have received his or her second Distemper vaccination to participate. Proof of vaccinations must be shown the first day of class. Do not bring your puppy to the first class—it is for people only.
Positive Dog Training 1
(Dogs over 3 months old)
Positive dog training is for all dogs over 3 months old. You will learn how to teach your dog behaviors such as giving you attention, sit-stand-down, relaxed down, coming when called, waiting, staying, walking on a relaxed leash, and turning with you. Important issues for dog owners will be addressed such as how to prevent and stop play-biting, jumping, and chewing. Depending on the makeup of the class, structured off-leash play is part of the curriculum.
For dogs over 6 months of age, proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be brought the first day of class. Your puppy must have received his or her second distemper vaccination to participate. Do not bring your dog to the first class—it is for people only.
Positive Dog Training 2
(Dogs over 5 months old)
This is a continuation of Positive Dog Training 1. You can continue the work you were doing in the Positive Dog Training class and learn additional techniques. Continue to work on your dog’s positive exposure to people and other dogs. Developing a better recall, some off leash training, extending the time of your dog’s wait and stay, teaching your dog to back away from entries and exits, turning with you, and generally teaching your dog to be more attentive to you are skills focused on in the class.
Course prerequisites: Successful completion of Positive Dog Training 1 or the Puppy Class. For dogs over 6 months, proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be shown to participate.
Little Dogs
(Dogs under 15 pounds and over 3 months old)
A training class for little dogs. Little Dogs is a beginning class for dogs who are under 15 pounds and 3 months or older. Tiny Manners focuses on socializing your dog to other dogs and people. You will learn how to teach your little dog behaviors such as giving you attention, coming to you, walking on leash, and how to sit, lie down, be lifted, wait and stay. Important topics for owners of tiny dogs will be discussed such as how to prevent and interrupt barking, how to prevent and resolve play-biting, and housetraining.
For dogs over 6 months of age, proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be brought the first day of class. Your puppy must have received his or her second distemper vaccination to participate. Do not bring your dog to the first class — it is for people only.
SPECIALIZED DOG TRAINING
Dog Reactive Dogs
Dog Reactive DogsDog Reactive Dogs is a class for dogs who are aggressive or bark on leash at other dogs. You will learn how to calm your dog so that your dog is more relaxed around other dogs and looks to you for guidance. Alana will teach you how to hold and handle a leash correctly so that you can work with your dog without making your dog more reactive or fearful. Your dog will learn behaviors such as giving you attention, walking nicely on leash, turning with you, walking away from a distraction, coming to you, and how to sit, lie down, get into a relaxed down, stay, and “Go greet” when around other dogs. This class is not for dogs who are shy or avoidant. Shy, skittish and avoidant dogs should take a Shrinking Violets (Shy Dogs) class.
Course prerequisites: A private consultation with Alana and three lessons (attention, leash skills & handling, and positioning techniques on leash) are required before entering this class. Proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be shown to participate.
Tiny Reactive Dogs
Tiny Reactive Dogs is a class for little dogs (under 20 pounds) who are reactive or bark at other dogs on leash. You will learn how to calm your little dog so that your dog is more relaxed around other dogs and looks to you for guidance. Alana will teach you how to hold and handle a leash correctly so that you can work with your dog without making your dog more reactive or fearful. Your dog will learn behaviors such as giving you attention, walking nicely on leash, turning with you, walking away from a distraction, coming to you, and how to sit, lie down, stay and “Go greet” when around other dogs. This class is not for dogs who are shy or avoidant. Shy, skittish and avoidant dogs should take a Shrinking Violets (Shy Dogs) class.
Course prerequisites: A private consultation with Alana and three lessons (attention, leash skills & handling, and positioning techniques on leash) are required before entering this class. Proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be shown to participate.
Shy Dogs
This class is for dogs who are shy, avoidant or fearful of other dogs. These dogs do not show aggression, but instead retreat from other dogs and avoid interacting with them. Some of these dogs may cower when around other dogs or hide behind their owners. Others may show mild reactivity if they are cornered or overwhelmed on a greeting. The best dogs for shy dogs are other shy dogs. The Shy Dogs Class will expose your dog to other dogs in a gentle and positive way and at your dog’s pace. Your dog will learn behaviors when around other dogs such as giving you attention, coming to you, walking with you, how to sit, lie down, relax, and “Go greet.” Socialization and encouraging your dog to be brave and confident are key components of the class.
Course prerequisites: A behavior consultation with Alana is required before entering this class. Proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be shown to participate.
Out and About
This class is for dog owners who have completed Canine Manners II and would like to take what they’ve learned in classes and apply them to real life situations in outdoor locations. Classes meet at different locations so you can practice skills you have taught your dog such as giving you attention, sitting, lying down, staying, waiting, walking on a relaxed leash and coming in various social settings. Classes meet for one hour and locations vary from week to week depending on accessibility to outdoor locations and weather.
Course prerequisites: Canine Manners – Intermediate
For dogs over 6 months of age, proof of rabies vaccination or titers must be shown. Your puppy must have received his or her third distemper vaccination.