Group Classes
You don't have to embark on your training journey alone. Join your local canine community in learning how to communicate with and train your dog using ethical, rewards-based techniques.
All classes rotate between Sunday afternoons & Tuesday evenings
Held at Your Dog's Friend in Rockville, MD
Basic Skills
A six-week class to get you & your pup on track with the basics. Whether you have recently adopted an adolescent or adult dog, or are looking to sharpen your training skills with your long-time canine companion, this class is a great way to not only harness positive reinforcement for building basic behaviors like loose leash walking and recall, but also generalize those behaviors to new & distracting environments.
For dogs ~18/20 weeks and older
(If younger - try "Puppy Kindergarten" class)
$200 for 6 weeks
Level UP
Level up your training and build upon the foundations you learned in Basic Skills class, while fine-tuning your skills as a trainer. Learn how to apply those foundations to everyday life to improve recall around distractions, polish your leash walking skills, have smoother veterinary visits, and increase your pup’s engagement with you even with other dogs nearby.
Prerequisites: Basic Skills at Your Dog's Friend or trainer approval
Best for dogs over one year old - if younger, try "Puppy First Grade"
$165 for 4 weeks
Puppy Party
Bring your puppy along for 45 minutes of puppy playtime with the guidance of two certified trainers. Let them get their wiggles out and harness the power of the puppy socialization period to feel more calm and confident around other puppies. Puppies are grouped by play style to ensure safety and comfort for all our four-legged friends!
Sundays at 11:15 AM
For puppies 6 months and younger
$20 each
Puppy Kindergarten
Introduce your puppy to new experiences & skills in a positive & playful way! This six-week class includes playtime, puppy "field day", and lots of fun ways to set your pup up for success. We make sure to learn basic behaviors such as relaxation and engagement around distractions, coming when called, leash walking, drop it, and more - as well as discuss how to conquer challenges like puppy nipping and potty training.
For puppies ~18/20 weeks and younger
(If older - try "Basic Skills" class)
$210 for 6 weeks
Puppy FIRST GRADE
An intermediate level class for puppies under one year old. Keep up your training journey through the challenges of adolescence by using positive, fun training games to strengthen the connection between you and your pup, practice techniques to help your teenage dog relax, and improve leash walking skills, all around increased distractions.
For puppies under one year old
Prerequisite: Basic Skills, Puppy Kindergarten, or trainer approval
Leash Walking
Transform your walks by learning groundwork leash handling skills, techniques to improve your pup’s focus on you, force-free ways to reduce pulling, and strategies to help you effectively navigate neighborhood challenges such as walking near dogs, people, or other distractions. Working in partnership with your dog, learn how to meet their needs for sniffing, exploring, and exercise, while also giving yourself a more pleasant, struggle-free walk with your pup.
Recommended Prerequisite: Basic Skills class
$165 for 4 weeks
DAY TRAINING/COACHING HYBRID OPTIONS ALSO AVAILABLE
Hybrid packages give you the best of both worlds. You'll get lots of hands-on help from a certified trainer, while also enhancing your own training skills and relationship with your dog. A basic hybrid package includes 5 coaching sessions and 6 day training sessions, and is a $1,455 investment.
Hybrid packages are highly recommended for dogs who experience reactivity on walks.
