Below is a brief description of the classes and services we offer. We're sure you'll find something for you and your pup (or cat!). If you have questions, please call our Training & Behavior staff at 303-442-4030. Scroll down to view all classes or use the links below to jump to specific classes.
Agility (Introduction to Agility, Continuing Agility, Wake Up With Agility, Puppy Agility)
Agility is a sport that involves a dog completing a set of obstacles quickly and correctly with guidance from a handler.
Introduction to Agility: If you've never tried agility, learn handling basics and introduce your dog to obstacles in a fun and confidence-building manner in Introduction to Agility. This class meets once a week for six weeks and is for dogs who have completed Basic Manners: Level 3 or posess similar skills.
Continuing Agility: The sequel to Introduction to Agility, Continuing Agility will introduce you and your dog to essential parts of the agility routine, while simultaneously building impulse control. Discover more fun and exciting obstacles and build upon handling foundations so you can begin sequencing obstacles together.
Wake Up With Agility: For dogs who have taken Introduction to Agility or another beginner agility class, spend your morning running a course and bonding with your dog in Wake Up With Agility. This is a single-session class that you can sign up for and attend as often as you like.
Puppy Agility: For puppies age 4 months to a year, try our four-week Puppy Agility where your dog will learn to master age-appropriate agility obstacles.
» View upcoming Agility classes
Basic Manners (Orientation, Puppy Kindergarten, Levels 1 - 4)
Learn basic behaviors like recall, sit and down to the more advanced "leave it," loose-leash walking and staying with distractions. Everyone begins with Basic Manners: Orientation where you will learn the mechanical skills of dog training to set you and your pet up for success. For puppies 2 - 4 months old, the next class after Orientation is Basic Manners: Puppy Kindergarten. Once your puppy is older than 4 months (or if your dog is already older than 4 months), you'll move on to Basic Manners: Level 1 followed by Level 2, 3 and 4.
Classes are offered several times a week, so you can sign up to come to the class that fits your schedule. This also allows you and your canine companion to move through classes at your own pace. Didn't quite get all the Level 1 skills? Take it again! Did your furry genius breeze through Level 2? Move on to the next one!
» View upcoming Basic Manners sessions
Behavior Consultations
Behavior Consultations address behavior concerns, such as aggression or fearfulness as opposed to One-To-One Private Training which teaches new skills. Consults are offered for both dogs and cats either over the phone or in person at the Humane Society's training center or at your home.
For questions, or to schedule a Behavior Consultation, please first create an account. This will ensure faster service and help our staff better determine the appropriate training plan for you and your pet. After you have created an account, please call our Training & Behavior staff at 303-442-4030.
Come Back To Me!
Get your dog to come to you the first time you call and every time you call! This class strengthens your dog's recall response and meets once a week for four weeks.
» View upcoming Come Back To Me! classes
Control Unleashed
Geared toward dogs who are easily distracted and have difficulty concentrating, Control Unleashed teaches your pet to focus and behave reliably in challenging situations. This six-session class is also a great starting-point for guardians and dogs interested in participating in agility, freestyle, Urban Herding (treibball) or any other dog sport!
» View upcoming Control Unleashed classes
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Transform your rambunctious Rover into a polite pooch! This class is tailor-made for dogs who are overly exuberant when greeting people and other dogs. In this class, dogs learn self control and better attention skills during exciting or distracting situations. Curb Your Enthusiasm is available as a single-session introductory clinic or as a full, 4-week course.
» View upcoming Curb Your Enthusiasm classes
Friday Night Sports
Friday Night Sports provides an introduction to various dog sports with a new one featured each night. This class meets for four weeks and may teach skills for agility, scent work, Urban Herding (treibball), rally or others.
» View upcoming Friday Night Sports classes
Gateway to the Great Outdoors
This fun, 90-minute specialty clinic will provide you and your dog the foundation skills for enjoying the great outdoors. Learn the basics of off-leash control, increasing attention and focus and impulse control exercises to make outdoor jaunts a breeze! Plus, get some great outdoor doggy gear tips!
»View upcoming Gateway to the Great Outdoors classes
Great Outdoors
Great Outdoors will help your dog master necessary skills and avoid unwanted behaviors before you hit the trails. This 4-session class takes place outdoors and is therefore offered seasonally.
» View upcoming Great Outdoors classes
Grumpy Growler
This six-session class is for dogs who bark, growl or lunge when on-leash and in the presence of other dogs. We train in a safe, low-stress classroom environment to teach your dog alternative behaviors that are incompatible with reactivity and aggression.
» View upcoming Grumpy Growler classes
One-To-One Private Training
Our One-To-One Private Training is beneficial for puppies and adolescent dogs and allows you to tailor training specifically to your pooch. Some options for private training include house training, basic manners training, sports training, outdoor training and more! Sessions can be held at the Humane Society's training center or in your home.
For questions, or to schedule a One-To-One Private Training session, please first create an account. This will ensure faster service and help our staff better determine the appropriate training plan for you and your pet. After you have created an account, please call our Training & Behavior staff at 303-442-4030.
Puppy Social
These fun and adorable 45-minute sessions will give your puppy a chance to learn and practice important social skills with other puppies and new people, while burning off some energy! Puppy Socials are single-session classes divided by age group that you can register for and attend as many times as you like.
» View upcoming Puppy Social sessions
Urban Herding
Originating in Germany, Treibball, or Urban Herding as we call it here in Boulder, uses exercise balls to simulate a dog's natural drive to herd. Dogs learn to maneuver exercise balls from a start point to a specific goal as directed by the handler. Urban Herding is a great class for dogs who have extra energy to burn while learning self control and problem-solving skills. This class meets once a week for six weeks and is for dogs who have completed Basic Manners: Level 3 or posess similar skills.
» View upcoming Urban Herding classes
Walk This Way
This 2-session workshop will help transform walking the dog from a chore to a pleasure! We will focus on reducing pulling, encouraging slow pokes and instilling self-control for the easily distracted. We will even teach you the secret to training your pup to check in with you and choose to be by your side - making a stroll with your pooch a walk in the park!
» View upcoming Walk This Way classes
Workshops
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley hosts workshops and clinics from notable dog trainers, behavior experts and authors filled with fun and learning.
