Group Classes

We Have a Class for You!

0
happy graduates

Check out our group training options for dogs of every age and skill level. Use the quick links below to guide you to the class that best fits your needs, or keep scrolling and have a look at them all. Let’s get your dog enrolled and on her way to better manners!

doberman
Puppy Manners Class
I have a new puppy! Our little lightning bolt of energy is rocking our world. What can we do?

(kindergarten for puppies under 16 weeks old)
Family Dog Manners Class
My dog is a mess! Can I order some manners for my grown-up pup, with a side of sanity?

(basic obedience for all dogs over 16 weeks old)
Leash Pullers Anonymous
My dog pulls like crazy! We just need leash walking. Please help before I lose an arm.

(leash manners intensive for dogs over 16 weeks old)
Finishing School
Our top level class, where dogs with advanced obedience can train and test for the coveted Canine Good Citizen title.

(for friendly dogs with strong obedience)
Obedience Games
Think outside the box! Fine tune your pup's obedience skills while playing fun games like Red Rover, Leapfrog, and Charades.

(for graduates of any basic obedience class)
Trick Training
Any dog can be a star! Learn fun tricks, build your bond with your furry pal, and you can even earn AKC Trick Dog titles!

(entry level class open to dogs of all ages)
why should I
choose your classes?
Hey!
So...
small class sizes (limit of 6) for personal attention
rolling enrollment – start manners class any time
formally educated professional trainers
humane, reward based training methods
family-friendly environment
supportive, client-centered coaching
all breeds welcome!
professionally developed curricula
large climate-controlled facility
…wait, you want another reason?
all right. we have a sense of humor!

Puppy Manners Class

Puppy Life

Puppies are a ton of fun, but they can also wreak havoc on a happy home with their rambunctious behavior and endless nipping. Lucky for you, there’s Puppy Manners Class, where you’ll learn how to confidently navigate the puppy months.

beagle_puppy

Tell Me More!

Group Orientation:

$30

If your puppy will be between 9-16 weeks old their first day of class, they are just in time for Puppy Manners class! (puppies 16+ weeks will start into Family Dog Manners class)

You’ll begin with a humans-only orientation to get caught up on the latest in puppy raising techniques. A lot may have changed since your last dog, and we stay on top of industry best practices. And if you’re a first time puppy owner, you’ll appreciate the comprehensive review of topics like housetraining, chewing, and nipping. Plus, the supportive atmosphere of other puppy owners who are also in the trenches can’t be beat.

At orientation class, you’ll also receive your puppy owner’s manual, clicker, and treat pouch.

Class Schedule:

Group orientations are held on Sundays at 3pm. You can see the exact dates and enroll using the button below.

In-Home Orientation:

$75

If you know you want group classes but can’t make the next group orientation time or need some help right away, our in-home orientations are just the ticket. We’ll personalize the problem-solving info from orientation to your dog and family, focusing on just your puppy’s needs. Then, you can join into the group classes without missing a beat!

Due to the discounted price from our regular in-home training, in-home orientations must be purchased as a package with your group class.  You can do so below. We’ll get in touch after payment is received to schedule your orientation, or you can contact us to set a tentative date and time before purchasing.

$185

Once you have attended orientation, you can join into one of our rolling admission puppy classes right away. You’ll attend with your puppy for six weekly sessions.

Our innovative puppy curriculum integrates basic obedience such as sit, down and come when called into real life situations like teaching your puppy to lie calmly for nail trims. Our focus is on real world manners, and you can take these lessons right back into your daily life. We even do an on location run through of a visit to the vet!

Each class session has an enrichment activity, ranging from walking pups across teeter-totters to introducing them to novel sounds and veterinary visits. You’ll also learn some practice exercises to prevent future aggression, and you’ll become part of our puppy socialization program, where you can win fun prizes by taking your puppy on weekly field trips.

And did we mention? There’s time for free play, supervised closely by our expert instructors. Puppies playing is one of the best things in the world!

Class Schedule:

Classes are rolling admission, which means you can begin as soon as there’s a spot available. Your options are  Saturdays or Sundays at 4:30pm or Wednesdays at 6:15pm. You can view the openings and save a spot for your puppy using the button below.

Once you enroll, you will attend 6 classes in a row, weekly at the same day and time. We do offer a single complimentary drop-in makeup lesson to students because we know life happens. This is a firm limit.  If you have a variable schedule and will have to miss multiple sessions, consider our Private Puppy Manners School instead; we can work around your calendar.

Location

Our classes are located at:

Heartland Play and Stay

4100 N. Woodlawn, Wichita KS

Age Requirements

Due to developmental time frames, puppies must be 16 weeks or younger on their class start date to join Puppy Manners Class. Puppies older than 16 weeks should join Family Dog Manners Class.

Vaccination Requirements

Puppies must have had two distemper and parvovirus shots and one bordetella immunization. The most recent set of shots must have been performed by a veterinarian. 

Makeup Lessons

Puppies that miss a class may attend one extra session immediately following their graduation. This will be a repeat class, but your puppy will get additional practice and socialization. We recommend planning to attend all classes if possible.

Refunds

We don’t offer refunds on group classes; we do offer class credit if you withdraw at least a week before your start date.

Did you know? Puppies under 5 months old are in a sensitive stage of neurological development. The things they experience in this time will influence their temperament for the rest of their life. And once they pass this developmental stage, it’s impossible to turn the clock back and have a re-do. That’s why puppy class is so important!

Family Dog Manners Class

Dog Life

Your family dog is well-loved but also driving you up a wall. We introduce basic obedience skills, then teach you to integrate them into real life settings with our innovative curriculum geared toward pet dog owners.

golden_retriever

Tell Me More!

$215

Our manners classes begin with a humans-only orientation class the first class session. We’ll go in-depth on problem solving common dog issues, then introduce you to our fun training techniques. You’ll be able to ask all those burning questions you have about your dog’s behavior, and will leave confident that you are up to the challenge of living with a dog.

At orientation class, you’ll also receive your dog owner’s manual, clicker, and treat pouch.

Next, you’ll continue attending the same day and time for six consecutive sessions with your dog.

We start each session with a focus exercise and a review of a basic position (sit or down). Then, we dive into our real world manners segment, weaving foundation obedience into specialized lessons that you can go back and apply right into your life.

For example, our Company’s Coming class will teach your dog to sit automatically for greetings whenever someone approaches, and our Family Picnic class teaches your dog to patiently stay with food nearby. Want the nitty gritty details? Click below!

click to view the complete curriculum

Doggy Zen (Impulse Control)

  • No-jump training
  • Leave food in hands
  • Leave food on floor
  • Focus with distractions

Rainy Day Blues (Indoor Manners)

  • Settle down & stay
  • Doggy boredom busters
  • Ping-pong come when called

Hitting the Streets (Leash Manners)

  • Gentle leash training gear
  • Getting focus on leash
  • Left-side walking
  • Sit when you stop

Family Picnic (Outdoor Manners)

  • Rocket recall
  • Emergency collar grab
  • Sit-stay with distractions
  • Down-stay with food nearby

Company’s Coming (Visitor Manners)

  • Sit for greetings & patting
  • No-jump practice
  • Doorbell manners
  • Distance sit & stay

Exploring the World (Travel Manners)

  • Guiding your dog with a hand target
  • Focus around human distractions
  • Doggy adventure course

Shy, barky or growly dog? Click here before enrolling

My dog has some issues, isn’t that what training is for?

We want to help ALL dogs. However, not all dogs are a good fit for *group* lessons.

Which dogs?

Does your dog become fearful, upset or aggressive around other dogs or people? Is your dog a non-stop barker? We can’t meet the needs of aggressive, reactive, or extremely vocal dogs in our bustling group environment. This is also not a good environment to attempt to socialize an unfriendly or fearful dog.  We can still help you, but in a setting that better fits your dog’s needs – please get in touch to discuss what would work best.

I think my dog ok, but what happens if he breaks the rules?

If a dog is enrolled in class and demonstrates behavior that constitutes a potential risk to our trainers or other clients, or presents a distraction that cannot be overcome (our benchmark is 15 minutes of barking that cannot be interrupted or redirected with visual barriers or training intervention), they will be moved to our online interactive Family Dog e-learning course. This includes our entire course PLUS extra lessons we can’t fit in in-person. You can take videos of your dog and submit them for instructor feedback.

My dog is just shy, he will be fine.

Sometimes shy dogs do well or even warm up and blossom. In other cases, the environment remains too scary for them and they might hide under your chair or stop taking treats. In these cases, you can continue to attend and learn the lessons in-person as long as your dog is not in clear distress or panic. You may also submit videos you take at home of your dog’s successes via our Family Dog Online e-learning platform.

Can I get a refund or credit for private training?

No, due to our limitations on enrollment numbers, we can’t offer a refund or a credit for any of the situations described above. Please consider this as you make your decision on registration.

Class Schedule:

We offer Family Dog Manners classes on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Click the Enroll Now button to go to our registration portal with upcoming start dates.

$185

Once you’ve finished our Family Dog class, you’ll be ready for the next level – an intermediate manners-building class where you can firm up the basics and start to see an even bigger change in your dog’s behavior.

We’ll work on perfecting the position cues (sits and down), fine tuning greetings of people and dogs, getting a reliable come when called from distractions, acquiring focused walking skills in proximity to other people and dogs, and adding distance to stays and a down-stay of up to 2 minutes between food rewards.

Please note that attendance at Family Dog Manners Class is required in order to attend Family Dog II. Puppy Manners graduates or graduates from other training schools should enroll in Family Dog Manners Class instead of Family Dog II.

Class Schedule:

Mondays @ 6:15pm beginning April 29th

*This is a progressive class (all students begin at the same time) and no makeup sessions are offered.

*This class introduces off-leash work and work in close proximity to other dogs and people. Problem barkers or reactive dogs may not attend Family Dog II. We are happy to offer the same lessons in a private training setting.

Age Requirements

All dogs 16 weeks and older are welcome to enroll into Family Dog Manners Class. Puppies under 16 weeks should enroll in Puppy Manners Class.

Vaccination Requirements

Dogs must be current on rabies, parvovirus, and distemper immunizations plus bordetella within the past 6 months. The most recent set of shots must have been performed by a veterinarian. 

Makeup Lessons

Unlike our Puppy Manners classes, Family Dog Manners is a progressive class rather than rolling admission. Therefore, no makeup lessons are offered. Private 30-minute makeup lessons held before or after class may be purchased at a rate of $30. However, availability is limited and is not guaranteed.

Refunds

We don’t offer refunds on group classes; we do offer class credit if you withdraw at least a week before your start date.

Location

Our classes are located at:

Heartland Play and Stay

4100 N. Woodlawn, Wichita KS

Leash Pullers Anonymous

Leash Manners Ingredients

Does your dog drag you down the street or pull you all over the place to sniff every bush?  This class will help you and your dog learn to walk together in harmony as a team.

Tell Me More!

$175 – 6 sessions

What can we say? It’s all about leash manners!

In this class we focus on a loose leash walk out and about, not a formal heel. This class is very unique as each week the location will switch between Heartland Play & Stay and a park setting. You and your dog will learn and practice foundation skills in a lower distraction environment, then go test those same skills out the next time “in the wild”.

What will we learn?

You and your dog will practice:

  • getting focused
  • leaving distractions alone
  • left-side walking
  • no-pull exercises

My dog walks fine on leash until he sees another dog or person, THEN he goes crazy and starts barking and lunging. Will this class help us?

No, this class is not appropriate for dog or human aggressive/reactive dogs. You will be working around other dogs and people in close proximity from the start. We expect some level of excitement or distractibility, but we cannot resolve serious reactivity with this basic leash manners class. However, we can help you one on one! Please contact us for private training if your dog needs help with on-leash reactivity or aggression.

Class Schedule

Next class:  Sundays at 2:30pm beginning April 14th

This class is semi-private – it is limited to 4 dogs, to ensure you have the space and individual attention you need for success. Payment reserves your spot in class.

Click the button below to be teleported to our Client Portal, where you can sign up! 

Age & Pre-requisites

Dogs 16 weeks and over are welcome to join these classes. Younger puppies should attend Puppy Manners School first.

Although there are no firm pre-requisites, if you have a brand new dog with absolutely no foundation in training, we highly recommend you attend Family Dog Manners Class first, then Leash Pullers Anonymous.

Vaccination Requirements

Dogs must be current on rabies, parvovirus, and distemper immunizations plus bordetella within the past 6 months. The most recent set of shots must have been performed by a veterinarian. 

Makeup Lessons

This class is sequential rather than rolling enrollment, so no makeup lessons are offered. Private makeup lessons can be purchased at a special rate of $75/hour.

Refunds

We don’t offer refunds on group classes; we do offer class credit if you withdraw at least a week before your start date.

Location

This class rotates between our primary facility and a nearby park.

Our classes are located at:

Heartland Play and Stay

4100 N. Woodlawn, Wichita KS

Finishing School

cgc_logo

You’re proud of your dog already, but the feeling of passing the difficult CGC test and earning a ribbon and title is like none other.

Join us for Finishing School and challenge your dog to focus for longer durations around other dogs and people, staying responsive and obedient even without food rewards. It’s a tough task, but we know how to get you there.

ginger_cgc

Ginger’s Story

Ginger was adopted from the Hutchinson Animal Shelter in October of 2016. She was too stressed to take treats for weeks and attended Family Dog Manners class… twice.

It took 6 months for her to blossom (and to learn how to sit consistently). Bacon helped.

And on August 22nd of 2017, she proudly earned her Canine Good Citizen title. It takes patience, time, and training, but the CGC is an achievable goal for your dog, too!

Tell Me More!

$185 – 6 training sessions + CGC test

Have you always wanted a Canine Good Citizen? This class will help you prepare your dog to succeed! Take those obedience skills to the next level with our Finishing School, where we’ll prepare your dog for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test in a step-by-step course.

We’ll work on getting and keeping attention around other dogs and people, building reliable long-distance stays, polite greetings, focused leash walking, a rocket come when called, and more! Are you a details person?  You can read the complete list of test items ahead of time.

If your dog is AKC registered, the CGC is an official title and a great gateway to therapy work, dog sports, and an all around certified well behaved dog! Even if he isn’t, you can still earn a CGC certificate to keep as proof of your training teamwork.

The course is 7 weeks long and includes 6 weeks of training plus an official Canine Good Citizen test the final week of class.  The cost of taking the test is included in your registration fee.

Class Schedule

Mondays @ 6:15pm beginning May 13

Who can attend Finishing School?

Like the name says, Finishing School is intended to polish up your dog’s obedience, not teach basic skills. In order to enroll in this class, your dog should be a graduate of Family Dog Manners Class I and II in order to have the best chance at passing the CGC test.

Wondering if your dog is ready?  Here’s a Finishing School Self-Assessment that lists the basic benchmarks for class. We don’t expect perfection, so don’t worry if you’re still working on a couple, but we do need a minimum level of obedience already so you’re prepared for the advanced exercises we’ll be doing.

We went to obedience school elsewhere, but can my dog attend? He listens pretty well…

Yes, if your dog is ready. But if you’re not a graduate, you must have our approval to take this class, so please email first and we’ll chat.  You and your dog must already have a basic level of training skills using positive reinforcement methods. Otherwise, we’ll need you to attend Family Dog Manners class first.

My dog is obedient but isn’t good with other dogs/people… will this class help him?

No, our exercises have dogs working in close quarters around other people and dogs from the start. This class is not appropriate for dog or human aggressive/reactive dogs. Please contact us for private training if your dog needs help with these issues.

Location

Our classes are located at:

Heartland Play and Stay

4100 N. Woodlawn, Wichita KS

Age Requirements

We recommend Finishing School for dogs over 1 year of age as they are more likely to be successful. However, dogs as young as 6 months may enroll with instructor approval.

Vaccination Requirements

Dogs must be current on rabies, parvovirus, and distemper immunizations plus bordetella within the past 6 months. The most recent set of shots must have been performed by a veterinarian. 

Makeup Lessons

These classes are sequential rather than rolling enrollment, so no makeup lessons are offered.

Refunds

We don’t offer refunds on group classes; we do offer class credit if you withdraw at least a week before your start date.

Obedience Games

Installing fun...

Creating Curricula
Testing Treats
Loading laughs

There’s more to training than obedience drills. If you want to have fun with your dog while teaching him new and better behavior, you’re in luck – we have just the ticket. And it’s golden.

balloon_dog

Tell Me More!

$125 – 4 sessions

We welcome all dogs who have passed a basic obedience class into our Obedience Games class. We’ll help your dog learn to focus on you and improve his or her foundation skills through competitive group games and fun individual challenges.

Join us for Charades, Red Rover, our Party Promenade (can your dog walk on a party streamer instead of a leash?), Skee-Ball, Leapfrog, and more! You and your dog can win brag certificates and prizes as an added perk.

In this class, we build on basic behaviors like sit, down, stay, come when called, and leash walking, teaching you how to get more reliable, stronger behavior, and more behavior per reward. This may be a fun class, but you’ll learn a lot too… it’s just sneaky, like when your mom grated carrots into her spaghetti sauce (really… go ask her).

Class Schedule

Wednesdays at 7:30pm beginning April 24th

Age Requirements

Dogs 16 weeks and over are welcome to join these classes. Younger puppies should attend Puppy Manners School first.

Vaccination Requirements

Dogs must be current on rabies, parvovirus, and distemper immunizations plus bordetella within the past 6 months. The most recent set of shots must have been performed by a veterinarian. 

Makeup Lessons

These classes are sequential rather than rolling enrollment, so no makeup lessons are offered.

Refunds

We don’t offer refunds on group classes; we do offer class credit if you withdraw at least a week before your start date.

Location

Our classes are located at:

Heartland Play and Stay

4100 N. Woodlawn, Wichita KS

Trick Dog Classes

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

time remaining until trick dog class begins… don’t miss out!

Our trick dog training classes are accessible even to the beginner, but also fun for the training-savvy. Thought your dog couldn’t be any cuter? Just wait til she can curtsy or play peek-a-boo!

Tell Me More!

$125 – 4 sessions

This entry level class is all for fun and fun for all! Your dog will learn a series of classic tricks that will delight your family and friends. You will also have the opportunity to earn your dog’s AKC Novice Trick Dog title (open to dogs of all breeds and ancestry).

What will we learn?

We will select from a variety of tricks that may include these and more:

  • Take a Bow
  • Spin & Twist (circle right and left)
  • Roll Over
  • Jump Through a Hoop
  • Play Dead
  • Shake

You can see the trick dog title application for a list of all the tricks you have the option of learning: AKC Trick Dog Application (PDF)  Each student will have the opportunity to select a special “Owner’s Choice” trick off the list to learn.

Class Schedule

Next Class: Mondays at 6:15pm beginning July 8th

 

Click the button below to be teleported to our Client Portal, where you can sign up! 

Age Requirements

Dogs 16 weeks and over are welcome to join these classes. Younger puppies should attend Puppy Manners School first.

Vaccination Requirements

Dogs must be current on rabies, parvovirus, and distemper immunizations plus bordetella within the past 6 months. The most recent set of shots must have been performed by a veterinarian. 

Makeup Lessons

These classes are sequential rather than rolling enrollment, so no makeup lessons are offered.

Refunds

We don’t offer refunds on group classes; we do offer class credit if you withdraw at least a week before your start date.

Location

Our classes are located at:

Heartland Play and Stay

4100 N. Woodlawn, Wichita KS