Real dogs, real people, real testimonials…
“As someone who didn’t have an option to do puppy training in person, I am so grateful that it pushed us to move it online. There was so much more benefit than I would have ever expected. Finn, our 19 week old Basenji, is so easily distracted by sounds, movements and especially other pups. Being online has really given us a chance to set him up for success, with Sherry and the team giving personal feedback throughout. We are only a couple weeks in and I am so grateful to have found Smart Dog Training. Thank you so much.” – Finn’s people
“We had our first [online] puppy class tonight and although my husband and I were a bit skeptical about it being a virtual class, it went very well. Hamish seemed to enjoy it too and was quite calm and attentive the whole time.” – Hamish’s person
“I just wanted to mention that we really really loved the online format! You all did such a great job! I found that Sly was much more focused [compared to the in-person classes] and willing to learn in her own space, and in turn we where able to ask a lot more questions and spend the time in class effectively. I also found that it was much more conducive to discussion often leading to very useful information that expanded beyond the curriculum in a very natural and exciting way!” – Sly’s person
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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
