The Mind Your Manners series is all about making life with your dog a breeze! You'll learn to communicate smoothly and teach your furry friend some polite household manners. We cover a lot, like greeting guests with grace, coming when called, and walking nicely on a leash, in addition to many many other behaviors.
Start with Mind Your Manners 1 if your dog is new to formal training or hasn't worked with a group before. It's also great for puppies fresh out of puppy class! For our tiniest learners under 17 weeks, we recommend the Puppy Plus class instead, since their little brains have very different needs and much shorter attention spans. If this class sounds like a fit for your family, please note the schedule for your chosen class. Most run weekly, but occasionally, there might be a surprise twist!
This class is for the littlest pups between 8 and 20weeks!
Why start with Puppy Plus?
*Puppies develop more confidence! Puppies exposed to new people, sounds, and environments before 16 weeks are far less likely to develop fear or anxiety later in life.
*Social skills! Supervised play teaches bite inhibition and healthy communication with other dogs — things they simply can't learn at home alone.
*Good Habits! Basic commands, leash manners, and focus come so much more naturally when training starts young, before bad habits take hold.
*A stronger bond with YOU! Learning together is one of the best things you can do for your relationship with your dog from day one.
If your puppy is 14 weeks or younger they will be able to take all 6 consecutive sessions but even if they are a little bit older, we can get them in for a few weeks - just shoot us a message.
Become a great walking team and enjoy your outings together.
(This class addresses loose leash walking. If you are experiencing reactivity with your dog, please check out our Chill! class for Reactive Dogs instead. )
Offered in summer and early fall, this course is all about practicing your and your pup's skills in the great outdoors. We’ll visit various public spots, brushing up on manners and tackling outdoor adventures with style. With four sessions scheduled in the cooler early mornings or late evenings, we dodge the summer heat.
Locations are conveniently within 15 minutes of Chardon. Despite being outdoors, our usual group class rules still hold. Your furry friend must be at least 6 months old and fully vaccinated and fecal checked. Plus, they need to be reasonable relaxed around other dogs. Perfect for those who graduated the Mind Your Manners beginners' class or higher.
Join Manners Out And About for four weeks of fun for just $130!
Mind Your Manners 2 is perfect for dogs who had a bit of training already. We’ll build on what your dog learned in the beginners’ class and take their skills to the next level. We will also introduce new skills like finding the elusive off-switch, picthing in with nail care, and staying out from underfoot when needed. It's tailor-made for those who've graduated from our Mind Your Manners 1 class but open to any dog with prior training. This class can be repeated several times until the skills are rock solid.
If this class sounds like a fit for your family, please note the schedule for your chosen class. Most run weekly, but occasionally, there might be a surprise twist!
Focus is on assessing current readiness and preparing you to test for AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC). The test will be offered within a month after the last session of the class. Class participants have the option to sign up for testing if ready.
In this class, we will expand on the skills acquired in Mind Your Manners 1 and 2, elevating you and your dog to new levels of mastery. Our focus is on achieving fluency and reliability.
Expect a challenge, but don't worry—you can take this class as many times as you need until you're brimming with confidence. With smaller group sizes in this class, our instructor will help you trouble shoot and boost your skills.
Therapy Dogs carry much needed light and love into our lives when we need them most.
If you think you and your dog are ready to answer that call and have what it takes, consider taking our Therapy Dog Prep class with Beth.
It truly takes a special team. Here are the pre-requisits:
You and your dog must have excellent communication skills with each other without using force.
Your dog should know basic manners and have a very strong "leave it" cue. (This is not a beginners' class. )
It helps if your dog is past the teenage shenanigans or has the wisdom of an "old soul." If your pup is more of a "wild child," a little more time to mature might be needed.
Both you and your dog should like people but be able to remain calm around them.
“Rally” or “Rally-O” is an engaging team sport that allows you to become part of a supportive community. Learn to Rally is a friendly, upbeat class where you and your dog work as a true team, moving through a numbered course of precision skills together, from simple turns and sits to more polished exercises that sharpen focus, communication, and teamwork. Whether you’re just discovering Rally-O or already have experience in the sport, there’s a place for you and your dog at your own pace. Because the class is ongoing, you can re-enroll as often as you like (every 4 weeks) and keep building on what you’ve learned. Along the way, you’ll become part of a welcoming community of dog lovers who cheer each other on, swap stories, and celebrate every milestone. Dogs of any age are welcome, because it’s never too late to learn something new together.
Turn basic obedience into an exciting team sport! In Learn to Rally, you and your dog will learn the skills needed to navigate a numbered course filled with different obedience challenges while building focus, communication, and teamwork. No prior Rally experience needed—just a dog who knows the basics and a handler ready to have some fun! Whether you’re new to Rally or have a little experience under your belt, come strengthen your bond, learn something new, and discover just how much fun you can have working together!
Pay close attention to the number of sessions listed as classes differ in length. 4 week sessions are $100, 6-week sessions are $150. This class is best for dogs that are comfortable working around other dogs. Class runs for six sessions.
Do you want to know how smart your dog really is? This six-week class explores that question. Different than a tricks class, it was developed to tap deeply into your dog’s cognitive abilities. You will use a clicker to teach your dog things like reading simple words, recognizing and selecting items by a given name, selecting items by color or shape, and copying your actions to learn a new behavior.Dogs should have basic manners' skills.
Tricks, dog sports, manners, outings, skills, and joy. This class has a little bit of everything and is sure to keep you and your dog entertained and busy. Each week we will explore a different topic, skill, and activity for you and your dog to enjoy together. Enroll in 6-week sessions and continue as long as there's fun to discover.
Teams should be familiar with positive reinforcement training and covered basic manners skills in other classes.
Our Trick for Treats class was developed for the pleasure of dog training. It will challenge you to become a better dog trainer as you use capturing and shaping to put skills to the test. This class will be excellent to create a stronger, more joyful bond between you and your dog. We are offering testing throughout the year to give you a chance to earn Trick Dog Titles and bragging rights.
The American Kennel Club awards the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title after passing rigorous testing of various skills to show of your dogs ability to be their best self. Usually offered shortly after the CGC prep class, it will be your opportunity to see how far you have come and earn this prestigious title.
The CGCA is the ADVANCED Canine Good Citizen or “Community Canine” title. Building on the the CGC your dog will be tested in a public setting to show off their “real world” readiness. Not quite sure if you are ready? Our Manners Our and About class is a good starting point to get ready. Dogs need to be registered as Canine Good Citizens with the AKC to achieve the CGCA title. However, both titles can be tested on the same day through back to back testing for an additional small fee. Testing will be offered during the summer months only as it has to be done in public settings. Please add your name to the waitlist if you would like to be alerted to the test dates.
In addition to the CGC and CGCA, your dog can show off their readiness for the urban environment including all its scary and loud aspects by passing the CGCU and achieving their Urban Canine Good Citizen title. Testing will be conducted as enough dogs reach the required level of performance. If interested, please add your dog to the waitlist. The CGC is required for testing for this title.
Book our training center for half an hour with your dog/s.
Pay for the time, enter one of the pups' names and you will be able to bring up to 4 dogs who know each other well and get along.
The room is large, has dog friendly flooring, and is climate controlled. A non-fenced outdoor potty area is available for the dogs. An office person will be in the center during use but will stay behind a closed door unless needed.
We are proud to keep the center safe even for young puppies who are not fully vaccinated, yet. Current vet records are strictly required to guarantee that safety. Records can be emailed to [email protected] anytime before the visit.
We are experienced with and compassionate to reactive dogs. If your dog is sensitive, please indicate during booking and we will take precautions not to disturb them.
Book our training center for an hour with your dog.
Pay for the time, enter one of the pups' names, and you will be able to bring up to 4 dogs who know each other well and get along.
The room is large, has dog friendly flooring, and is climate controlled. A non-fenced outdoor potty area is available for the dogs. An office person will be in the center during use but will stay behind a closed door unless needed.
We are proud to keep the center safe even for young puppies who are not fully vaccinated, yet. Current vet records are strictly required to guarantee that safety. Records can be emailed to [email protected] anytime before the visit.
We are experienced with and compassionate to reactive dogs. If your dog is sensitive, please indicate during booking and we will take precautions not to disturb them.
How boring would life be if we never got to read, watch TV, or explore new things? Dogs crave enrichment just as we do. In this session we will explore some enrichment activities and share ideas that you could try at home.
Come on in and use our Christmas backdrop to take beautiful Christmas pictures of your pups and family. We will help with the pictures but Santa will NOT be present this day so it is ideal if your dog is shy or fearful of people.
Your minimum cash donation of $15 will help support Neighborhood Pets in Cleveland.
Neighborhood Pets is an organization that supports families in need provide care and emergency services for their pets. In that way Neighborhood Pets helps keep pets in their homes and therefore alleviate stress on our shelter system.
