Dog Training Center
About Our Classes
All of our classes use the most current, science-based, positive reinforcement methods leveraging Animal Learning Theory to teach dogs new skills. These methods are effective and beneficial for dogs and puppies of all ages. Our training classes focus on good manners in the real world, socialization and giving you the tools to prevent or address behavior challenges.
Classes are held on campus at Seattle Humane.
Foundation level classes (Puppy Head Start, Puppy Manners 1, Teen Manners, Dog Manners 1, and Shy Dog Manners) have a mandatory prerequisite: Dog Training Basics.
Read our position statements on dog training and behavior management methods.
View our program policies.
Class descriptions, age ranges, fees and prerequisites are listed below. Sign up using the provided links in the class descriptions!
Questions?
Contact us at dogtraining@seattlehumane.org or (425) 373-5385, option 1.
Dog Training Classes
Virtual Dog Training Sessions
Looking to learn more about your dog’s behavior? Did you recently adopt a dog or bring a new puppy home? Hoping to prepare for a new baby in your home? Unable to get to our shelter for training? We got you covered! Check out our virtual dog training options!
Upcoming Sessions…
Help for the Under-Socialized Dog
Puppy Priorities
Dog Training Basics Seminar
This single 90 minute seminar for humans will give you a look at how dogs learn, how to teach them using modern, positive reinforcement-based training, and the marker training method. You’ll also how to address common behavior problems and help bring out the best in your dog. We encourage everyone who will be training the dog to attend.
Virtual and in-person options are available.
$25
No Prerequisites
Welcome Home Seminar
Did you recently bring a new dog or puppy into your home? Are you planning to receive a new puppy or adopt a new best friend in the coming weeks? Then this session is for you! This seminar offers invaluable support and guidance for helping your new canine buddy settle in, work through behavior concerns and start encouraging good behavior. Whether you’ve adopted a mature dog or a bouncy puppy, this seminar has the information you need to get started on the right foot or PAW! Includes question and answer time for pressing questions! Instructed by one of our certified, professional dog trainers.
Offered via Zoom or in person at our shelter in Bellevue, WA.
$50, Seattle Humane adopters receive a discount on this offering.
90 minutes
Puppy Play Skills
(8-24 Weeks)
Off-leash play with other puppies! These sessions give young puppies a safe environment to make new friends, burn off excess energy and learn new social skills. We offer Puppy Play Skills sessions that are divided by age and size of puppies to help each puppy learn in a safe environment. Each session is overseen by one of our qualified Dog Training Instructors and is 45 minutes long. These sessions are a great complement to our Puppy Head Start and Puppy Manners classes!
$28 per session
No Prerequisites
Puppy Head Start
(8-14 Weeks)
Topics covered include house and crate training, puppy nipping, chewing, polite greetings and the prevention of behavior problems. Each class features puppy playtime and thoughtful socialization exercises. This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$275
Prerequisite: Dog Training Basics Seminar
*Age: Puppies joining this class should be between 8 and 14 weeks when they start this class
Puppy Manners 1
(15-22 weeks)
Puppy Manners 1 offers basic training and ongoing socialization for puppies, either as a continuation of Puppy Head Start or as puppy’s first class. Topics include puppy behaviors, polite greetings, basic skills, socialization, and off-leash play. This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$275
Prerequisite: Dog Training Basics Seminar
*Age: Puppies should be between the age of 15 and 22 weeks old when they start this class
Puppy Manners 2
(Follow up to Puppy Manners 1)
In Puppy Manners 2, you’ll continue to progress skills such as recall and leash walking, and teach your dog new skills—stay, leave-it, hand targeting and wait. This class includes off-leash play. Puppy Manners 2 is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$275
Prerequisite: Puppy Manners 1
Age: Up to 12 months old
Teen Dog Manners
(5.5-12 months)
Teen Dog Manners tackles the unique challenges of training dogs during this tricky time in your dog’s life. Adolescent (or “teen”) dogs learn new skills such as loose leash walking, hand targeting and polite greetings in an environment that motivates and supports them. This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$310
Prerequisite: Dog Training Basics Seminar
Dog Manners 1
(12 months & older)
Dog Manners is all about building the dog/handler relationship through training, leadership and awareness of how dogs communicate. In class, we cover polite greetings, basic skills and techniques for preventing unwanted behavior. This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$275
Prerequisite: Dog Training Basics Seminar
Shy Dog Manners
(5.5 months & older)
Shy Dog Manners covers basic manners in a setting designed for dogs who are fearful of new people, dogs and/or certain environments. We will also teach you some skills to help your dog feel more confident and relaxed. It’s a safe space for your dog to learn at their own pace. This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$310
Prerequisite: Dog Training Basics Seminar
Dog Manners 2
(7 months & older)
Take it to the next level! This class will focus on working on increasing your dog’s reliability around distractions as well as improving responsiveness from a distance and for longer durations. You’ll both learn some new skills! This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long.
$275
Prerequisite: Puppy Manners 2, Teen Dog Manners, Shy Dog Manners, Dog Manners 1, or instructor permission
Reactive Rover 1
The primary goal of our Reactive Rover classes is to help improve the behavior of dogs who bark, lunge and growl at other dogs while on leash. This class will help owners better understand their dogs reactivity, and learn management skills to teach their dog to react more appropriately on leash around other dogs.
$425
Prerequisite: Dog Training Basics and instructor permission
Canine Good Citizen
(8 months & older)
Canine Good Citizen Prepares students and their dogs to take the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, a certification program designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. For more details, please visit www.akc.org. This class is six weeks long and each weekly session is one hour long. The course is five weeks of prep and on the last night of the course, there will be an opportunity to take the CGC test.
Prerequisite: Dog Manners 2 or instructor permission
We recommend positive, dog-friendly training methods, focusing on good manners in the real world and socialization. Explore other pet training and behavior resources recommended by our team of certified dog trainers and animal behavior specialists:
Pet Training & Behavior Resources
Dog Behavior Resources from our Resource Library
Veterinary Care Resources from our Resource Library
Pet Safety Resources from our Resource Library
Senior Pet Resources from our Resource Library
New Pet Owner Resources from our Resource Library
Looking for support after the loss of a pet?
Join our Virtual Pet Loss Support Groups – you can find more information on our End of Life page.