Real dogs, real people, real testimonials…

If your dog is under 16 weeks then most likely yes! Most puppies are perfect for group classes, and usually the younger they start group training the better, as puppies are wired to adapt to new environments. We also offer puppy socialization classes and can adjust sessions to meet individual needs so even the shyest of puppies have fun and gain positive experiences with other dogs. If you have a young puppy who is very nervous or shy, please contact our office so we can get supports in place for you and your dog right away.

An older dog may not be a good fit for group classes if they:

• Are overly-excited or very distracted around people or other dogs
• Are nervous/anxious and have a hard time focusing in novel situations
• Cannot take food rewards or focus on you when other dogs are present
• Cannot settle around other dogs or in a new environment even if they can’t see them (visual barriers, and food chews or stuffed Kongs can help, but your dog will need to be able to settle for periods of time while you listen in class)
• Have ever bitten, growled or snapped at a person or another dog out of fear. Play biting is okay – although this can hurt it is normal and we can help resolve it.
• If your dog fits any of the above criteria, or if you are unsure, please contact our office (info@smartdogtraining.ca) before registering for a group class so we can help you find the best fit for your dog.

It’s normal for dogs to be distracted by other dogs and our facilities are set up with visual barriers and training tools to help most dogs overcome their excitement to work successfully in a classroom setting. Our private one-on-one training may be the best fit if your dog struggles with fears or significant over-excitement.

Not all dogs thrive in a group classroom environment, and we cannot offer you a refund or switch once your classes have begun.

Please note that there is no socialization component to this class; dogs will be learning to focus on you and work with you.

Your dog may NOT be good fit for group classes if he or she:

• ⚬ Has ever bitten, growled or snapped at a person or another dog (except in play).

• ⚬ Is nervous/anxious and has a hard time focusing in new environments or situations.

• ⚬ Is overly-excited or very distracted around people or other dogs.

• ⚬ Cannot take food or focus on you when other dogs are present.

• ⚬ Cannot settle calmly when around other dogs or in a new environment. (Food chews and stuffed Kongs can help with this, but your dog will need to be able to settle for periods of time while you listen in class.)

If your dog fits any of the above criteria, or if you are unsure, please contact our office (info@smartdogtraining.ca) before registering for a group class so we can help you find the best fit for your dog.

What other options do we offer?

We are pleased to offer on-line classes and private one-on-one training for dogs (or humans!) who may not find the group classes to be the best fit.

Online classes

Online classes offer the same curriculum and the same high learner-to-trainer ratio as our in-person classes. Dogs learn at home in a familiar environment. We have had extremely positive feedback about our online classes, and clients who choose online learning report that their dogs are better able to focus on them and on the training exercises.

Online classes are also a great fit for families who may struggle to be out of the house in the evenings or for people who live further from our training facilities. It’s often easier for the entire family to attend training when they can do so from their home.

Private one-on-one training

We also offer one-on-one training as our most flexible option for basic and intermediate training.

Please note that there are no refunds or switches once your class has started. To avoid disappointment, if you are registering for an in-person group class please be sure your dog will be a good fit for the classroom environment.