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Training and Classes

Canine Classes

Register Online!

Thank you for your interest in training your dog. The Sacramento SPCA offers on-site obedience classes for dogs ages four months and older. In order to participate, your dog must be current on all vaccinations. The classes are taught by Val Masters, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), and Sarah Kirschling. We utilize only positive reinforcement training methods, and do not allow dogs to wear choke chains or prong-type collars.

  • Basic Beginner Obedience
  • Intermediate
  • Tricks
  • Canine Good Citizen Exam
  • Private Consultation
  • Basic Beginner Obedience

    The basic beginner class is beneficial for dogs of all ages. You will learn how to be a leader to your dog in a way that he will trust and respect you and will listen to what you ask of him, mental and physical exercise needs, teaching your dog not to jump on you, paying attention when you say his name, teaching him how to sit, lay down, stay, come, walk on leash politely, wait at doors, and shake. You will receive a packet containing step-by-step instructions on how to teach your dog the obedience commands, plus additional information on how to resolve other behavior problems that aren't addressed in the class. These classes will be limited to 5 students per class. Registering in advance is necessary.
    Class Duration: One night a week for six continuous weeks, and is an hour in length.
    Fee: $95.00 for the entire 6-week session; $80 for dogs adopted from Sacramento County or City Shelters; $70.00 if your dog was adopted from our shelter. $49.00 for seniors age 60 and older.
    Refunds: Notification of cancellation must be received at least two (2) weeks prior to the first class session for a full refund. Cancellations received between two (2) weeks and 48 hours prior to the first class session will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 48 hours prior to the first class sesssion or no-shows. Attendance of weeks 1 and 2 is mandatory for continuation in the class and no refunds will be given for drops.

    All BEGINNING OWNERS are REQUIRED to attend the first session WITHOUT THEIR DOGS. The session is mandatory and times differ from normal class hours.

    Class Offerings:

      Monday Classes:
    • Monday, May 19 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Monday, June 2 - June 30 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm (skip May 26)
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Monday, May 19 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Monday, June 2 - June 30 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (skip May 26)
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Monday, July 14 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Monday, July 21 - August 18 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
    • Monday, July 14 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Monday, July 21 - August 18 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
      Tuesday Classes:
    • Tuesday, May 20 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tuesday, May 27 - June 24 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Tuesday, May 20 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tuesday, May 27 - June 24 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Tuesday, July 15 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tuesday, July 22 - August 19 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
    • Tuesday, July 15 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tuesday, July 22 - August 19 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
      Wednesday Classes:
    • Small Breed Dog Basic (SMALL breed dogs 4 months and up that will be under a 30lb adult weight ONLY), Wednesday, May 21 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Wednesday, May 28 - June 25 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Small Breed Dog Basic (SMALL breed dogs 4 months and up that will be under a 30lb adult weight ONLY), Wednesday, May 21 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Wednesday, May 28 - June 25 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Small Breed Dog Basic (SMALL breed dogs 4 months and up that will be under a 30lb adult weight ONLY), Wednesday, July 16 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Wednesday, July 23 - August 20 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
    • Small Breed Dog Basic (SMALL breed dogs 4 months and up that will be under a 30lb adult weight ONLY), Wednesday, July 16 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Wednesday, July 23 - August 20 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
      Thursday Classes:
    • Wednesday, May 21 Orientation from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Thursday, May 29 - June 26 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
      Friday Classes:
    • Friday, May 23 Orientation from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Friday, May 30 - June 27 from 10 am to 11 am
    • (Sorry...this class is now CLOSED.)
    • Friday, July 18 Orientation from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Friday, July 25 - August 22 from 10 am to 11 am

    To Register: Click HERE to register ONLINE. Click here to download, fill out, and mail the registration form for May Classes (53 Kb, Adobe PDF). Click here to download, fill out, and mail the registration form for July Classes (51 kb, Adobe PDF). For more information, you can email the training department.

    Intermediate

    Prerequisite: Basic Beginner Obedience

    Working with distractions - sit/stay, down/stay, and come, longer attention to name, healing on leash, tricks, and more! The class also prepares you and your dog to pass the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Test . The SSPCA will be offering Canine Good Citizen Test tests on a regular basis starting in June.
    Class Duration: One night a week for six continuous weeks, and is an hour in length.
    Fee: $65.00 for the entire 6-week session if you completed the Basic Beginner Obedience course at the Sacramento SPCA, or $75.00 if you completed Basic Beginner Obedience elsewhere. $49.00 for seniors age 60 and older.
    Refunds: Notification of cancellation must be received at least two (2) weeks prior to the first class session for a full refund. Cancellations received between two (2) weeks and 48 hours prior to the first class session will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 48 hours prior to the first class sesssion or no-shows. Attendance of weeks 1 and 2 is mandatory for continuation in the class and no refunds will be given for drops.

    Class Offerings:

    • Thursday, May 22 - June 26 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
    • Thursday, July 17 - August 21 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

    To Register: Click HERE to register ONLINE. Click here to download, fill out, and mail the registration form for May Classes (53 Kb, Adobe PDF). Click here to download, fill out, and mail the registration form for July Classes (51 kb, Adobe PDF). For more information, you can email the training department.

    Tricks

    Prerequisite: Basic Beginner Obedience, Intermediate Obedience

    With the use of clickers, we will train you to teach your dog a variet of tricks such as "high five" and "jumping through a hoop". Completion of both basic and intermediate training is required unless prior permission is given by the instructor.
    Class Duration: One night a week for six continuous weeks, and is an hour in length.
    Fee: $65.00 for the entire 6-week session if you completed the Basic Beginner Obedience course at the Sacramento SPCA, or $75.00 if you completed Basic Beginner Obedience elsewhere. $49.00 for seniors age 60 and older.
    Refunds: Notification of cancellation must be received at least two (2) weeks prior to the first class session for a full refund. Cancellations received between two (2) weeks and 48 hours prior to the first class session will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 48 hours prior to the first class sesssion or no-shows. Attendance of weeks 1 and 2 is mandatory for continuation in the class and no refunds will be given for drops.

    Class Offerings:

    • Thursday, July 17 - August 21 from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm

    To Register: Click HERE to register ONLINE. Click here to download, fill out, and mail the registration form for July Classes (51 kb, Adobe PDF). For more information, you can email the training department.

    Canine Good Citizen Exam

    This certification and exam is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and the community. When your dog passes, you will receive a certificate suitable for framing and displaying. This is a program that can help us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcome in the community. It is also the first step in qualifying your dog to become a pet therapy dog. This ten part exam convers such topics as accepting a friendly stranger, sit and down on command, walking through a crowd, reaction to another dog, and many others. Fee: $15.00
    Upcoming Dates: Saturday, May 10, 2008. All tests begin at 9:00 am
    To Register:Download, fill out, and mail or fax the registration form (271 Kb, Adobe PDF). For more information, you can email the training department.

    Private Consultation

    Do you have a dog with a behavior issue? Need immediate help with your new puppy? Is your dog timid or aggressive toward people or other dogs? With a private consultation you and your dog will receive one-on-one attention to address your dog's behavior issue(s) and any training that may be applicable to your particular situation. Consultations are by appointment only. To schedule, please call Valentina Mair at (916) 383-7387, ext. 9148 or write vmair@sspca.org. Rates are $35/half hour or $55/hour.

    If you've scheduled a consultation, please print and fill out our Private Consultation Form before you come.

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    None scheduled for the next sixty days. Check back often for updates!

    Be sure to check out all our events on our Master Calendar!

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