PET CARE/BEHAVIOR > Dog Training Classes

DOG TRAINING AND OTHER CLASSES

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Thank you for your interest in training your dog. The Sacramento SPCA offers on-site dog training 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), Sarah Kirschling, Valentina Mair,  Sandy Britton and Elisabeth Rosen. We utilize only positive, reinforcement-based training methods, and do not allow dogs to wear choke chains or prong-type collars.

Basic dog training 

The basic 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 on when asked, 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 these behaviors, plus additional information on how to resolve other behavior problems that aren't addressed in the class. Registering in advance is necessary.

Class Duration: One night a week for six continuous weeks, and is an hour in length.

Fee: $99.00 for the entire 6-week session; $85 for dogs adopted from the Sacramento SPCA, Sacramento County or City Shelters. $60.00 for seniors age 60 and older for any class.

Refunds: Notification of cancellation must be received at least one (1) week prior to the first class session for a full refund. Cancellations received between one (1) week 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.   No refunds will be given for Sacramento City, County or SPCA mandatory adoption class participation.

NEW! We now offer training classes at Sacramento County Animal Shelter located at 3839 Bradshaw Road in Sacramento. Please see class schedules below!

Participants in the Basic Dog Training Class are REQUIRED to attend the first session WITHOUT THEIR DOGS. The session is mandatory and times differ from normal class hours.

March-April 2012 Beginner Class Offerings
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Road, Sacramento

Class Name	Week Day	Orientation Date/Time	Class Dates	Class Times
Basic	Monday	March 5 from 7PM-9PM	March 5  - April 9	6:15PM - 7:15PM
Basic	Monday	March 5 from 7PM-9PM	March 5  - April 9	7:30PM-8:30PM
Basic (Senior 60+)  Sorry...this class is now closed	Tuesday	March 6 from 10AM - 12PM	March 6 - April 10	10AM - 11AM
Basic	Tuesday	March 6 from 7PM-9PM	March 6 - April 10	6:15PM - 7:15PM
Basic	Tuesday	March 6 from 7PM-9PM	March 6 - April 10	7:30PM - 8:30PM
Basic (Small Breed - 4 mos and older - 25 lbs or less when full grown)	Wednesday	March 7 from 7PM-9PM	March 7 - April 11	6:15PM - 7:15PM
Basic	Wednesday	March 7 from 7PM-9PM	March 7 - April 11	7:30PM - 8:30PM
Basic	Thursday	March 8 from 7PM-9PM	March 8 - April 12	6:15PM - 7:15PM
Basic (Small Breed - 4 mos and older - 25 lbs or less when full grown)	Thursday	March 8 from 7PM-9PM	March 8 - April 12	7:30PM - 8:30PM
Basic	Friday	March 9 from 10AM - 12PM	March 9 - April 13	10AM - 11AM

March - April 2012 Beginner Class Offerings at the
Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation Facility
3839 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento 

Class Name	Week Day	Orientation Date/Time	Class Dates	Class Times
Basic	Tuesday	March 6 from 7PM-9PM	March 6 - April 10	6:15PM - 7:15PM
Basic	Tuesday	March 6 from 7PM-9PM	March 6 - April 10	7:30PM-8:30PM

 To Register:   Click HERE to register ONLINE. For more information, you can click here to email the training department or call 916-504-2804.



INTERMEDIATE DOG TRAINING

 Prerequisite: Basic Dog Training (Your dog must be able to do the following with distractions and other dogs around: sit/stay and down/stay from six feet away for 25-30 seconds; come when called from 30 feet away using a long line; wait at the door; walk politely on leash; pay attention, i.e., responds immediately when you want him to check in with you).

You and your dog will work 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 Sacramento SPCA will be offering the Canine Good Citizen Exam on a regular basis. Complete details are in the section called Canine Good Citizen Exam, below.

Class Duration: One night a week for six continuous weeks, and is an hour in length.

Fee: $70.00 for the entire six-week session if you completed the Basic Beginner or Intermediate Obedience course at the Sacramento SPCA, or $75.00 if you completed Basic Beginner Obedience elsewhere. $60.00 for seniors age 60 and older.

Refunds: Notification of cancellation must be received at least one (1) week prior to the first class session for a full refund. Cancellations received between one (1) week 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.

March - April 2012 Intermediate Class Offerings
Sacramento spca
6201 Florin Perkins Road, Sacramento

THURSDAYS, March 8 - April 12
6:15 - 7:15PM

 To Register:  Click HERE to register ONLINE.  For more information, you can click here to email the training department or call 916-504-2804. 


Tricks TRAINING

Prerequisite: Basic and Intermediate training using positive reinforcement-based methods.

In this class, you will teach your dog tricks for fun and mental exercise. The class will use clickers to reinforce training.

Class Duration: One night a week for six continuous weeks, and is an hour in length.

Fee: $70.00 for the entire six-week session if you have completed the Basic Beginner or Intermediate Training course at the Sacramento SPCA, or $75.00 if you have completed Basic Beginner and Intermediate Training elsewhere. $60.00 for seniors age 60 and older.

Tricks Class Offerings
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Road, Sacramento

SORRY, no Tricks classes are being offered for the March/April session

To Register: Click HERE to register ONLINE. Click here to download, fill out and mail the registration form for January/February 2012 Classes.   For more information you can click here to e-mail the training department or call 916-504-2804. 



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 covers 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: All tests begin at 9:00 am
Saturday, February 11, 2012 
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012

To Register: Please download the brochure for current test requirements and dates, then click HERE to register ONLINE or fill out, and mail or fax the registration form attached to the brochure. (271 Kb, Adobe PDF). For more information, you can click here to email the training department.