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Dog Training Classes

SUMMER 2024 GROUP TRAINING CLASSES: 

ABOUT OUR GROUP CLASSES:

  • Classes are held at our newly renovated Baxter Building, located at 215 Landing Road in Westbrook or via Zoom
  • TO REGISTER: Please follow this link to sign up for your class. We use a platform created specifically for dog training programs. You will be asked to create a custom profile of you and your dog, so we have all the essential information to get you started and maintain your family’s training record
  • Registration Fees: Fees vary depending on the course and are listed below. ARLGP alumni dogs receive 20% off all training fees (when registering alumni: please enter promo code ‘alum’ at check-out to apply your adopter discount)
  • Vaccinations must be sent digitally to training@arlgp.org prior to class- please do not bring physical copies the day of. This is to ensure you are providing proper documentation and that if any vaccinations have expired, you have time to booster them. Disease control is extremely important as we see a high volume of clients each week. We require age appropriate DAPP boosters and Rabies vaccinations. Make sure to check your email for confirmation from us that we have everything we need. Failure to provide these documents may result in refusal for your dog to attend the class with you until vaccination status can be confirmed.
  • When registering for class, please check your schedule to ensure you are available for all class dates. While we will try to work with you on missing a class (catching you up in the next class or offering a spot in a different class for that week if space allows), note that there are no make-up classes or partial refunds for classes missed.
  • Learn more about our trainers

CLASSES FOR PUPPIES

PUPPY PRE-K: Bringing home your new best friend

This series is designed for the first exciting weeks of welcoming a new puppy into your life! We have this class on a Module system so puppies can join when they can, with the option of coming to our entire 4 week in person series or picking ones when they can. In this class we discuss classic Puppy Problem Solving topics like housetraining, chewing, integrating into the home, etc. Beginning puppy manners with skills like recall, drop it, polite leash walking, and additional training games. Each class starts with a ~10 minute play session. We do have an orientation video that MUST be watched before coming to your first class. Puppies joining drop in classes must have at minimum one distemper (DAPP) vaccine on board, and if over 16 weeks, must have a rabies vaccine.

Be sure to read each class description in our Drop In series to ensure you are joining the best one(s) for you and your puppy!

Sessions:

  • Select Sundays at 9am

Age group: Puppies should be within 2-4 months of age. Puppies will ‘age out’ of our Pre-k program at 18 weeks.
Instructor: Faith Paglierani
Registration Fee: $45 per class OR bundle all 4 classes for $150! ARLGP alumni dogs receive 20% off all class fees (when registering alumni: please enter promo code ‘alum’ at check-out to apply your adopter discount) register here

THE ATOMIC ADOLESCENT: A Survival Guide to Pre-Teens (PUPPIES 5-8 MOS)

This class is designed for puppies who are starting to become dogs! During our 5-week long class, we explore what it’s like to live with a pre-teen puppy screaming, “I know what I’m doing, I’m not a kid anymore!” Consistency is critical at this point in your puppy’s life stage. This class focuses on harnessing our dogs’ energy in appropriate ways, practicing impulse control, encouraging confidence, and neutrality in social situations.
PLEASE NOTE: If your puppy is older than 8 months, we recommend reaching out to training@arlgp.org for the appropriate next class!

Sessions:

  • Saturdays 8/17-9/14 @ 10:30am
  • Fridays 8/23-9/20 @ 5pm

Age group: Puppies should be within 5-8 months of age.
Instructor: Kim Tran
Registration Fee: $175. ARLGP alumni dogs receive 20% off all class fees (when registering alumni: please enter promo code ‘alum’ at check-out to apply your adopter discount) register here

PUPPY POWER HOUR

Congratulations on adopting or purchasing your new puppy! Did you know that 3-16 weeks of age is considered the most critical period of time when socializing a new dog? During this time it is essential to create positive experiences with people, places, textures, and other dogs. Puppy Power Hour is a carefully arranged playgroup-style class designed to provide your puppy with a positive experience with other dogs, and some fun obstacles to explore. Puppies learn so much from one another- how to read body language, bite inhibition, the give-and-take of play, and more! Play will last 30-45 minutes depending on the group, and the remainder of the time will consist of Q&A. Please make sure to send over vaccination records to training@arlgp.org.

Sessions: Available on select Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am, or Fridays from 5pm-6pm.

  • Puppies joining must be up to date on age-appropriate vaccines, with at least one DHPP before class begins and their first rabies vaccination by 16 weeks.

Age group: Puppies from 8-18 weeks
Instructor: Kim Tran
Registration Fee: $25 per class OR $100 to bundle 4 weeks! ARLGP alumni dogs receive 20% off all class fees (when registering alumni: please enter promo code ‘alum’ at check-out to apply your adopter discount) register here

SUMMER CLASSES

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN- BEGINNER

Do you have a social dog who needs some manners? Maybe you’re thinking your pup would be a great candidate for therapy work, or want just a little less chaos when you bring them out and about? The Canine Good Citizen prep courses are designed to help with common problem areas like loose leash walking, manners around strangers, recall, and basic obedience. Dogs must be 6 months or older to take this class.

Our Canine Good Citizen: Beginner course is the first of 3 classes to prepare you and your canine companion for the Canine Good Citizen test, which is often required for public therapy dog work.

This class is not for highly reactive dogs or dogs who are uncomfortable around strangers. We recommend utilizing our complementary behavior helpline if you are unsure of where to start. If you have questions about if your dog would succeed in this class, email training@arlgp.org.

Sessions:

  • Thursdays, 8/15 – 9/19 @ 4pm
    • Instructor: Amber Zawrotny
  • Thursdays, 8/15 – 9/19 @ 5:30pm
    • Instructor: Amber Zawrotny

Registration: $175 Register here

PULLING TO POLITE

Walking our dogs is an essential part of pet ownership. New sights, smells, and getting out into some fresh air is just as good for their wellbeing at it is for us humans. Pulling to Polite’s goal is to make your walking experience just as fun for you as it is for your dog and provide a little peace to your daily routine!

This 5-week crash course is designed to take you step by step through common walking issues, appropriate equipment specific to your dog, proofing distractions, and more!

**This class is not for highly reactive dogs. Not sure if your dog will meet our requirements? Email training@arlgp.org to discuss!

Sessions:

  • Fridays, July 26th- August 23 @ 6:30pm

Instructor: Kim Tran
Registration: $150 Register here

READY, SET, RECALL!

This 4-week intensive group class focuses on one of the most lifesaving and difficult behaviors to teach our dogs, coming when called. We will discuss what a recall means for our dogs, a variety of techniques to help achieve a recall, and how we develop a recall over the long term. This class will be held outside and limited to 6 dogs. This class is for dogs that have taken some type of group class before and is not for highly reactive dogs.

Not sure if your dog meets the requirements? Please email us at training@arlgp.org and we will help you determine if this is the best option for you and your dog!

Sessions:

  • Wednesdays, July 10th-July 31st @ 5pm

Instructor: Amber Zawrotny & Kim Tran
Registration: $150 Register here

DROP-IN CLASSES

AGILITY: TRY IT OUT!

If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into agility, here’s your chance! This one hour session will expose you and your dog to the equipment and how to navigate a course. Please note that our intro to agility sessions are not designed competitively, we are offering this solely for you to see if you enjoy the sport. Dogs must be 1 year old to safely jump over obstacles.

This class is intended for human and dog friendly, nonreactive dogs. If you have a reactive dog but would still like to try out the equipment, we welcome you to email training@arlgp.org for a private session! 

Sessions:

  • Tuesday, August 13th @ 5pm

Instructor: Kim Tran
Registration: $45 Register here

NOSEWORK: TRY IT OUT!

If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into nosework, here’s your chance! This one hour session will expose you and your dog to the necessary skills needed to detect certain smells. Please note that our intro to nosework sessions are not designed competitively, we are offering this solely for you to see if you enjoy the sport.

This class is intended for human and dog friendly, nonreactive dogs. If you have a reactive dog but would still like to try out the equipment, we welcome you to email training@arlgp.org for a private session! 

Sessions:

  • Wednesday, August 14th @ 5pm

Instructor: Amber Zawrotny
Registration: $45 Register here

 

WANT TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN WE POST NEW CLASSES?

Please email training@arlgp.org to be notified via email when our next sessions open up. Please specify which classes you are interested in, so we can add you to the appropriate waitlist!

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