Foundation Classes
Foundations
Dogs love to learn, especially when learning is FUN!
If you have a adopted a new dog, brought home a new puppy, or have a dog that hasn't had much training, foundations is where you will begin. Our canine partners are never too old to learn new things!
Teaching foundation skills to your dog is really teaching your dog how to learn. We are also teaching you, the handler, the skills to communicate through good mechanics and reward delivery. This is the core upon which all your future training will be built.
During our Foundation classes, one of the most important items we will focus on is relationship building between you and your dog.​
Urban Dog Life Skills
Prerequisites: Completion of our Intermediate obedience or an equivalent class with another trainer.
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1 dog per handler
Want a dog who’s a total rockstar out in the real world? Whether you're grabbing coffee, hitting the farmers market, or strolling through downtown, this class is all about teaching your dog how to be calm, polite, and focused—no matter what’s going on around them.
Each week we’ll meet in different locations around town so your dog can learn to handle new environments with confidence and good manners. Visits to dog-friendly shops, patios, and restaurants are part of the fun, giving you real-life practice where it counts most.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
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Waiting calmly while you chat or enjoy time with friends.
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Loose-leash walking with turns, stops, and focus.
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Polite greetings—even when strangers have bags or snacks!
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Ignoring food, distractions, and tempting things on the sidewalk.
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Walking calmly in busy areas with stairs, elevators, and street crossings.
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Good manners entering and exiting buildings.
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Rock-solid stays and recalls in public spaces.
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Handling the sights, sounds, and surprises of the city with grace.
This class is perfect for dog owners who want their pups to be well-behaved companions out in public—from brunch dates to hardware store runs.
Bonus: This is a great prep course for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA) and Urban CGC (CGCU) tests! If you're interested in taking the test, it can be scheduled separately by request.
Best suited for dogs who already have basic obedience and are ready to take things to the next level—with real-world adventures and lots of tail wags along the way.
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Note: Each class may last up to 2 hours, depending on location. The class requires attendance at a restaurant for appetizers/dinner in order to meet the requirements of the class. Each person is responsible for their own restaurant bill.​​
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Dates: January 12th to February 9th
Day & Time: Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Price: $100 per class
Class length: 5 weeks
Instructor: Debbie V.
Minimum of 4 dogs, maximum of 8 dogs.​
S.T.A.R Puppy
Prerequisites: Puppies must have at least 2 rounds of vaccines as appropriate for their age per veterinarian recommendation.
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Puppies are not required to have an AKC registration to earn the STAR Puppy award, and the class is open to all puppies.
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1 dog per handler
STAR Puppy class focuses on establishing the training relationship between you and your puppy! This class will introduce basic commands, and will focus on socialization tools, gentle training, appropriate activities and the responsibility of the puppy owner.
Completion of the 6-week class makes you and your puppy eligible for the AKC STAR Puppy award!
Puppies must have a minimum of 2 rounds of shots to attend, and must be younger than 6 months. Dogs older than 6 months of age are invited to register for Beginner Obedience.
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Dates: TBD
Day & Time: YBD
Class length: 6 weeks*
Price: $100.00
Instructors:
Minimum of 5 dogs, maximum of 10 dogs
* Students must attend all 6 weeks of classes in order to be eligible for the AKC STAR Puppy Title.
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Beginner Obedience
Prerequisites: None
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1 dog per handler
This foundational class will teach you how to use positive training methods to reward good behavior and discourage less desirable behaviors. This class will teach basic obedience skills including heel, sit, down, come, stay, stand and finish. Completion of this class will give you a basic understanding of marking and rewarding desired behaviors, a foundational understanding of leash manners and foundational obedience commands.
Note: Puppies under 6 months of age are encouraged to sign up for STAR Puppy class before going through our Beginner series.
Dates: January 13th to February 17th
Day & Time: Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: Sheridan S.
Minimum of 4 dogs, maximum of 8
Intermediate Obedience
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 Beginner Obedience class, a Beginning Obedience class elsewhere, or prior approval of the instructor
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1 dog per handler
This class builds on the Beginner classes. The Intermediate class emphasizes proofing your dog under distractions, adding more advanced training skills such as loose leash heeling, sitting for greeting, and recalls. You will move from luring positive behaviors to marking positive behaviors. This class will set the foundation for dog and handler teams that are interested in taking the Canine Good Citizen prep class, or getting started in dog sport classes.
Dates: October 2nd to November 6th
Day & Time: Thursdays 7:45 - 8:45pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: Elaine F.
Minimum of 4 dogs, maximum of 10
Foster Dog Foundations
Prerequisites: Dog/handler teams must consist of an adoptable dog through a 501(c)3 organization or be a student currently enrolled in SDDSC's Beginner Level 1 or 2 class
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1 dog per handler
Attract adopters and set your foster dog up for a successful adoption! This positive reinforcement based class helps your foster dog learn real-life skills they will rely on throughout their life. Topics include socialization & confidence building, basic cues like sit, stay, and down, troubleshooting minor annoying behaviors, loose leash walking, engagement and enrichment games, Canine Good Citizen skills, tricks, and more. This class is designed to teach your adoptable foster dog the behaviors adopters want with the flexibility foster families need. Class enrolls weekly with no commitment for multiple weeks if your foster dog gets adopted and the class structure and topics change each week.
This class is most appropriate for dogs 6 months old and older. This class is not appropriate for major behavior modification needs; reactive dogs may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss your situation. All dogs should have up-to-date vaccinations and should have been living in the foster home for at least one week prior to joining class.
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Dates & Times:
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Thursday, July 3 at 7:45pm
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Tuesdays, July 29 - September 2, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Class length: 1 hour, enrolled weekly
Price: $10 per class
Instructors: Heather O. & Jack F.
Focus Games
Prerequisites: STAR Puppy or equivalent
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1 dog per handler
Focus is fun! Focus is the most important part of a productive relationship between you and your dog, and for many the most challenging to attain. This course will help you and your dog develop a better working relationship using a variety of fun games that both you and your dog partner will enjoy playing.
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Dates: January 13th to February 17th
Day & Time: 6:30pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: Shelley Bakalis
Minimum of 4 dogs, maximum of 12 dogs