Group Dog Training & Seminars in Calgary
Group Classes
These training courses are the first step in developing a lifelong friendship with your furry friend. Learn positive, gentle, scientifically proven methods to help communicate how you want your dog to behave. These classes are kept small to ensure every dog/handler team has the individual attention needed. All students enrolled in any group classes receive access to online training materials.
Requirements: Dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations. To attend Teen & Basic Manners classes your dog must be calm and sociable around other dogs and humans. Examples of fearful and reactive behaviors: raised hackles, barking, lunging, growling, cowering, etc. If you are experiencing these behaviours look at Fear and Reactive classes.
Basic Manners
This class is open to non-reactive dogs and puppies over the age of 20 weeks. Basic manners will help resolve many behaviour issues, such as jumping up, rough play, barking, pulling, and running away. You want to build solid foundation behaviours for your “go everywhere” dog. With a solid foundation of behaviours, your dog can be a wonderful member of your family and community.​
Basic Manners Teen Edition
Did your adorable puppy grow into an unruly adolescent?
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This can be the most frustrating stage of a dog’s life for owners and the time when most dogs are surrendered to shelters for behaviour problems.
My special “Teen Edition” class combines common puppy problem-solving skills with manners and socialization to keep you and your troublesome teenager on the right track. If your dog is 5 to 18 months old, take advantage of our teen class to help you cope with this challenging time in your dog’s life.
This six-week class is based on the science of the teenage brain and learning theory, using only the most humane and effective teaching methods.​
Puppy Fundamentals
Puppies develop and solidify their impression of the world in their first 24 weeks of life, the ‘critical socialization window.’ What they experience in this period determines how adaptable, calm and confident they’ll be as adults. This class will help you socialize your puppy with people, dogs, sights, and sounds in a safe and positive environment. Learn how to encourage appropriate behaviour and set boundaries. Learn the most important skills a dog needs, such as bite inhibition, recall, house training, appropriate dog-dog skills and more. Build a strong relationship with your puppy based on mutual trust and respect!
For puppies 24 weeks and under.
Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid Certification
Walks'N'Wags Pet First Aid is a unique, interactive course that helps prepare you for an animal emergency. It offers hands-on experience in wound care, CPR, and choking skills. It also offers insight into common medical conditions, poisons, parasites, and much, much more.
Our course is offered in one- and two-day formats to meet busy scheduling needs. The one-day format is 10 hours, and the two-day format is broken into two 5-hour days. Both courses offer the same content and learning opportunities. Registration is required, as space is limited. If you have a group of 6 or more and are interested in a private course, we offer that, too.
Cindy is certified through Walks ‘N’ Wags, an internationally recognized Pet First Aid educator. While this course is extremely informative, it is not meant to replace regular vet care. Pet First Aid is the emergency measures required to save pets’ lives, prevent further injury, and ease pain and discomfort until qualified Veterinarian assistance is obtained.
Farewell Fear
Does your dog choose flight over fight in every situation? Is he slow to recover from startling situations? Do loud noises make him jump? Is he terrified to go to the vet?
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If so, the Shy Dog class is for you! It is designed for dogs over four months of age who are experiencing anxiety or fear. Students learn how to understand their dogs better and work to set them up for success at their pace. We work on building confidence in a variety of situations and desensitizing existing responses. A set of foundation skills will be taught, as will discussions on management and prevention.
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** Prerequisite Canine Communication seminar **
Reactive Dog class
The root of your dog’s reactivity can come from many causes, such as leash frustration, over-excitement, aggression or even fear. For example, your dog may “just want to say hi,” but his barking and otherwise inappropriate behaviour puts you and others on edge. Participants will learn how dogs communicate through body language and examine their relationships with their dogs. Focus on how to teach and reward appropriate or alternative behaviours in their dogs to diminish their reactivity. It is designed primarily for dog-to-dog reactivity, but the same techniques can be used with other reactivity issues (i.e., strangers, kids, skateboards, etc.).
*The small class size (maximum of 4 dogs) provides encouragement, support and a positive learning environment. This course is for dogs over six months of age with known reactivity (e.g., raised hackles, increased arousal, barking, lunging, or growling etc).
Seminars
The Art of Dog Language
Dogs communicate primarily non-verbally, and we miss or misinterpret these signals as humans. This workshop will teach you how dogs communicate with each other and with you. Understanding this language will help you with every aspect of dog guardianship. If you can only make one workshop, this should be your #1 priority.
Why Dogs React
Does your dog choose to fight over flight? Does your dog cower when people approach? This workshop will help you better understand your dog's behaviour and give you the skills to manage it better. While it can present in many forms, reactivity is a common behaviour issue. Simply put, reactivity can be defined as an overreaction to external stimuli. Dogs may be reactive to people, dogs, other animals, noises, motion, or any combination of the above. Reactive dogs may be fearful, frustrated, aggressive or over-excited.
Kids & Dogs
Do you have kids and/or dogs in your life? Do you plan on having children sometime in your dog's lifetime??
Did you know children are most likely to be bitten by a dog they know?
This workshop was created to help parents and guardians better understand what their dogs are trying to communicate to them and their children. It is designed to give you the tools to ensure your children maintain a safe and fun relationship with the dogs in their lives. Having this knowledge empowers everyone to foster healthy and rewarding relationships with all family members, two-legged and four-legged!
And Baby Makes 4
Help your pet know what to expect when expecting!
With a baby comes big lifestyle changes, and as your routine is drastically altered, so will your pets. This human-only seminar will teach you how to prepare your pets before the baby arrives and show you how to successfully introduce them to your child.
If you are expecting a child or plan on having kids within your dog’s lifetime, this is the seminar for you.
Taming the Over-Protective Pooch
Is your dog fierce if you approach his food dish? Does your puppy get protective over toys? Is your dog more likely to show his teeth than share his toy? Is your dog reluctant to allow your spouse to hug you? Or do you want to prevent your dog from learning these behaviours? If so, this seminar is for you! This seminar will explain why your dog acts like this and give you tools to work through this issue.
How Animals Think & Learn
Did you know that every living creature learns the same way? Dogs, cats, fish, elephants, humans, horses, and even bacteria all learn using the same basic principles. This seminar will help you understand how to best teach and motivate anyone! It includes an introduction to the science behind training in a way anyone can understand.
Join certified professional animal trainer and former zookeeper Cindy Peacock to explore how the mind works and the best ways to teach anyone or anything.
Agility Classes:
Beginner dog agility classes are a fantastic way to introduce your furry friend to the exciting world of dog sports!
Class Overview:
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Designed for dogs with little to no prior agility experience as well as dogs who want to brush up on their foundation skills.
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Focus on building foundation skills, confidence, and teamwork between dog and handler
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Classes 1 hour long, once a week, for 6 weeks
Skills and Activities:
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Introduction to basic agility equipment such as tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and contact obstacles
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Fun exercises to develop your dog's speed, agility, and problem-solving skills
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Positive reinforcement training methods to encourage a strong bond between dog and handler
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Emphasis on safety, fun, and building your dog's confidence
Requirements:
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Dogs should be at least 5 months old
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Basic obedience skills, such as sit, stay, and walking on a leash
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Dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations,
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All dogs must be on a harness or regular flat buckle collar with a 4- or 6-foot leash. No choke collars, prong collars, or flexi leashes are allowed in the classroom.Dogs must have a veterinarian's clearance for physical activity
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Dogs must be able to be calm and sociable around other dogs and humans; not showing extreme fearful and reactive behaviours such as raised hackles, barking, lunging, growling, cowering, etc. If you are unsure if your dog is a good fit please contact me to discuss.
Group Class Consultation Form
Please complete the form below to book your dog's group class consultation. This ensures we gather all the necessary details to match your dog with the perfect class and help you achieve your training goals.
