Pets Lifeline, the Sonoma animal rescue center that protects and enhances the lives of cats and dogs through shelters, adoption, humane education and community programs, is offering dog training classes through March.
The goal of the courses is to keep Sonoma Valley pets happy in their homes by educating people on humane and responsible ways to train their animals while having fun. The classes also serve as a fundraiser for the shelter, helping to further its mission to support homeless cats and dogs.
family dog 1
This course is an entry level class covering all the fundamentals such as: sit, stay, lie down, come (remember), walk politely on a leash and basic good manners.
It takes place over six weeks at 10 am on the following Sundays: February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5 and 12. The course costs $150.
family dog 1 with clicker
This course uses clicker training, positive reinforcement training with the aid of a clicker, a small handheld device that makes an audible click when the button is pressed. The clicking sound replaces the use of a “marker word” to tell your pup that he has done something right, such as “good” or “yes.”
It takes place over six weeks at 6:30 pm on the following Thursdays: February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9 and 16. The course costs $150.
family dog 2
This course is for graduates of Family Dog 1, where pets will hone skills learned in their first course through a variety of exercises that solidify your dog’s good manners at home and in the community.
It takes place over six weeks at 11:15 am on the following Sundays: February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5 and 12. The course costs $150.
canine good citizen
This course is for graduates of “Family Dog 1” where pets will take a test of 10 skills and instructors will teach good dog manners and responsible dog ownership to their owners.
The 10 items in the skill test are:
- I greet a friendly stranger.
- Sitting politely to pet.
- Appearance and grooming.
- Walking on a loose leash.
- Walking through a crowd.
- Sit back and sit in command.
- Come when called.
- Reaction to another dog.
- Reaction to distractions.
- Supervised separation.
It takes place over six weeks at 1:30 pm on the following Sundays: February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5 and 12. The course costs $150.
puppy class
This course is for puppies from 11 to 17 weeks of age. They will socialize with people and other puppies and learn good manners. It is designed to teach them all the skills necessary to become a well-adjusted family dog. Each class will include game time as well as question and answer time with the instructor.
It takes place over four weeks at 5 pm on the following Thursdays: February 9, 16, 23 and March 2. It costs $100.
For all classes, proof of current canine vaccinations (Distemper/Parvo and Rabies) is required and must be provided prior to the first class. For the “Puppy Class”, proof of at least two sets of vaccinations is required. Please upload logs when you sign up or email: [email protected]
Check the class descriptions to see if dogs are required in the first training. Sign up or learn more at petslifeline.org.