PUPPY LOVERS

Pet Training Classes – Richmond SPCA

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Pet Training Classes

Before attending class, please read the Richmond SPCA Training Class COVID-19 Policies.

Meet our expert instructors. Regular offerings include manners, agility and puppy classes along with rotating workshop topics.

For information on our training philosophy, please click here.

For information about our Behavior Helpline and to view resources on specific dog and cat behavior topics, please click here.

Agility Classes

Agility AAgility A offers an introduction to agility and agility equipment for new dogs and handlers. Dogs should know sit and down and be generally under control when off leash. Dog agility is a sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Eight-week, one-hour class at our Track & Training Center

Agility BAgility B is for dogs and handlers who have completed Agility A (or equivalent) and want to perfect their performance on all pieces of agility equipment. Students will improve their handling skills (turns/crosses/jump sequences) over jumps and tunnels, and their performance of the teeter, A-frame and dog walk. Eight-week, one-hour class at our Track & Training Center.

Agility CAgility C is for dogs and handlers who have completed Agility B (or equivalent) and have learned the agility equipment and want to start focusing on the skills needed to run full courses. Dogs and handlers will polish basic handling moves, practice short sequences of obstacles and longer courses and continue to improve their equipment skills. Eight-week, one-hour class at our Track & Training Center

Agility C/DAgility C/D is for dogs and handlers who have completed Agility C (or equivalent) and want to spend more time practicing their performance at this level before moving on to Agility D. Agility C/D offers advanced agility practice for dogs who know the equipment well and are ready to compete (or are already doing so). Students will work on skills and drills to enhance the working relationship between dog and handler. Eight-week, one-hour class at our Track & Training Center

Agility DAgility D is for dogs and handlers who have completed Agility C (or equivalent). Agility D offers advanced agility practice for dogs who know the equipment well and are ready to compete (or are already doing so). Students will work on skills and drills to enhance the working relationship between dog and handler.  Eight-week, one-hour class at our Track & Training Center

Agility Skills and Drills Agility Skills and Drills is a class for dogs and handlers who have completed Agility B (or equivalent). If you are interested in improving specific skills needed to run agility courses then this could be the perfect class for you. We will tailor the drills to fit the dogs that attend. Eight-week, one-hour class at our Track & Training Center

Manners Classes

Continuing Canine MannersContinuing Canine Manners is designed to advance the skills your dog has already learned in Canine Manners. By slowly escalating the distance, duration and distractions in the class exercises, you and your dog will strengthen your bond, become more proficient in your training, and better able to perform in real-life situations. Seven-week, one-hour class

  • May 1 – June 12, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Instructor: Jacob Burnheimer

Canine MannersTeach your dog the basic skills needed to succeed in everyday life. Skills covered include sit, down, come, stay and leave it. This class also covers common behavior challenges such as jumping up. One-hour class for dogs 6 months and older.

  • May 4 – June 22, Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. Instructor: Jacob Burnheimer
  • May 1 – June 12, Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. Instructor: Jacob Burnheimer (full)
  • March 11 – April 29, Mondays at 7:15 p.m. Instructor: Julie Fields (full)
  • March 10 – April 28, Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Instructor: Joanne Bignoux McMahon (full)

House MannersHouse Manners will help your dog put his best paw forward and develop polite behaviors in the home. Skills include getting on and off furniture when asked, giving polite greetings and waiting at doors. Seven-week, one-hour class

Street MannersStreet Manners is an intermediate-level course with a focus on developing the skills dogs need to take on the world, especially during outdoor walks! There will be a heavy emphasis on overcoming leash pulling and dealing with distractions. Seven-week, one-hour class

  • March 2 – April 20, Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Instructor: Julie W (full)

A Hound in the Home

Scent hounds are a popular and much-loved addition to many families. Their unique and charming personalities are hard to resist. But starting life as a working dog and being focused on following their nose, may mean your training isn’t going exactly as planned in the home. Join our training team, who are passionate about hounds, to learn how to optimally motivate, train and reinforce your scent-loving companion, as well as help him or her acclimate to the sights and sounds of life in a new environment.

  • May 2- June 13, Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Instructor: Jacob Burnheimer

Surviving AdolescenceSurviving Adolescence is for dogs 4-18 months old in their challenging “teenage” stage of development. Teach your dog the basic skills needed to succeed in everyday life. The skills we will cover include sit, down, come, stay and leave it. This class also covers the importance of proper socialization during this growth stage and common behavior challenges such as jumping up. If all Surviving Adolescence sessions are full, dogs 6 months and older may be registered for Canine Manners. Seven-week, one-hour class.

  • May 4 – June 22, Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. Instructor: Jacob Burnheimer
  • March 11 – April 29, Mondays at 5:45 p.m. Instructor: Julie Fields (full)

Puppy Classes

Puppy Skills WorkshopsWith lots of families bringing home puppies over the holidays, it’s important to get your puppy started on the right track. Properly socializing your puppy is a great way to have a positive influence on his or her future behavior! Each session will include discussion of a specific behavior topic important to puppy parents, and introductory training exercises. For puppies up to 20 weeks of age on the date of the workshop. Pre-registration is required.

Puppy Play and SocializationThis is socialization-based playtime involving lots of interaction with puppies, humans, and sometimes adult dogs. Students choose which sessions to attend. Properly socializing your puppy is a great way to have a positive influence on his or her future behavior! Play sessions are 45 minutes in School for Dogs (within Smoky’s Training Center) For puppies up to 16 weeks of age. Pre-registration is required.

  • Monday Puppy Play 5:45 – 6:30 p.m.

Good Start Puppy 1Good Start Puppy 1 is for puppies 8-16 weeks of age at the start of class. We will concentrate on socialization with people and other dogs and problem prevention exercises while also introducing foundational manners and skills. Lots of playtime with other puppies is included, and your dog may make lifelong friends! One-hour class in School for Dogs (within Smoky’s Training Center)

  • May 3 – June 14, Fridays at 12:00 p.m. Instructor: Mariah Dudley (full)
  • March 2 – April 27, Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. Instructor: Eileen Holst-Grubbe (full)
  • March 1 – April 19, Fridays at 2:00 p.m. Instructor: Emily Bromseth (full)

Good Start Puppy 2Good Start Puppy 2 is designed for older puppies who are 16-24 weeks of age at the start of class. We will concentrate on socialization with people and other dogs as your puppy enters adolescence. We will discuss problem prevention exercises, while also introducing foundational manners and skills. Lots of playtime with other puppies is included, and your dog may make lifelong friends! One-hour class in School for Dogs or Smoky’s Training Center

  • April 26 – June 14, Fridays at 2:00 p.m. Instructor: Emily Bromseth (full)
  • March 8 – April 26, Fridays at 12:00 p.m. Instructor: Mariah Dudley (full)
  • March 2 – April 27, Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. Instructor: Eileen Holst-Grubbe (full)

Next Step PuppyFor puppies up to 12 months old who have graduated from our Good Start Puppy 2 class. This class will take foundational skills learned in Good Start Puppy to the next step. Polish verbal cues, discover how behaviors can be practical solutions in everyday life, add some fun new behaviors, and continue to help your dog be more comfortable for visits to the veterinarian and groomers. The class will explore how management, training and enrichment can help address undesirable behavior issues common in adolescent dogs. Your puppy will have the opportunity to make new friends, and perhaps reunite with some old ones, during play and socialization time.

  • April 17 – May 29, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Instructor: Mariah Dudley. (full)

Canine Sports, Tricks and More

Intro to Flyball WorkshopsFlyball is an exciting, fast-paced sport where a four-dog relay team races over jumps. Each dog is sent over four jumps, hits a box spring loaded with a tennis ball and then returns over the jumps with the ball before the next dog goes! One-hour workshops in our Track & Training Center

  • Ongoing Thursdays at 6:00 or 7:15 p.m. Instructor: Emily Neal

Flyball Run ThroughsFlyball Run Throughs are a great way to continue practicing flyball skills you’ve learned during workshops. Each session is $10 and requires pre-registration, please call or text Emily Neal at 804-467-6568 for details.

  • Thursdays from 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.

Tricks Class Tricks are tons of fun and a great way to bond with your dog! This class includes catching and shaping while covering fun activities like roll over, wave and more. Dogs and trainers of all levels are encouraged to attend. Seven-week, one-hour class

Specialty Behavior Classes

Building Canine ConfidenceBuilding Confidence is a beginner to intermediate course for people who would like to help their dogs be more confident when interacting with the world around them. This class will focus on skills for the dogs, confidence building games and team building games for dogs and handlers. Seven-week, one-hour class

  • April 27 – June 15, Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. Instructor: Julie W

Creating a Calm DogCreating a Calm Dog is a class for dogs who are young and overly energetic. Skills covered include settle, place, exercise, enrichment and more. A basic manners class such as Canine Manners is highly recommended before attending this intermediate-level class. Seven week, one-hour class

  • March 2 – April 20, Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. Instructor: Julie W. (full)

Managing a Reactive DogThis is an entry-level class for dogs who growl, bark or lunge toward dogs or people while out on walks. Learn how to identify your dog’s triggers (source of fear or excitement) and help your dog learn to be less worried about his or her triggers, have better focus on you and make better decisions instead of reacting. One-hour class, check individual class descriptions for session length

  • May 5 – June 30, Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Instructor: Mariah Dudley (full)
  • May 2 – June 13, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Instructor: Jacob Burnheimer (full)
  • March 3 – April 28, Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Instructor: Mariah Dudley (full)

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact Gail Bird Necklace at 804-521-1332 to discuss what class would be the best fit for you and your dog.

Need behavior help now? Our pet behavior helpline and resource library is here for you!

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