Training Classes
Training Classes Available
Training your dog shouldn’t be scary or painful. We focus on developing a strong bond between you and your dog based on trust and positive interactions. Whether you have a new puppy, an adult dog that needs to improve their focus with distraction or want to learn some fun tricks with your dog, we have multiple classes available.
Puppy Classes
Puppy Socialization & Exploration
$235 plus tax for 4 classes
This class is for puppies 8-16 weeks of age. Maximum age for registration is 13 weeks. This is a sensitive period of learning for all puppies. The more positive experiences they have with dogs, people, and different environments, the more confident they will be in the future. Join us for a fun, positive and Fear Free Class.
There will be an orientation webinar that you’ll need to complete online prior to the first class.
For class, you’ll need a 6ft leash, treats and a clicker.
Location: Companion Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary exam, deworming and first set of vaccines including Bordetella is required.
A note on socialization: There is a misconception in parts of the veterinary and training world that it’s safer to keep puppies away from other puppies and even outdoors until they are fully vaccinated, check out this article for more information.
Puppy Foundations Class
$235 plus tax for 4 training classes
For puppies aged 14-24 weeks. Maximum age for registration is 21 weeks. This class will build on the puppy social skills and advance the basic manners taught in Puppy Socialization and Exploration class. Manners include but are not limited to; sit, down, recall, place, leash manners, and a new trick every week! Join us for a fun, positive and Fear Free class!
If your puppy did not take Puppy Socialization and Exploration, there will be an orientation webinar that you’ll need to complete online prior to the first class.
For this class, you’ll need to bring a clicker, 6ft leash, your puppy’s favourite treats, a “place” mat (a non-slip mat such as a yoga or bathmat) and we’ll send you instructions to make a simple DIY nail board for your puppy to learn to file their nails on.
Location: Companion Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary exam, deworming and two sets of vaccines including Bordetella is required
6 Months +
Mind Your Manners
$235 plus tax for 4 training classes
This class is for dogs 6 months and older, that missed out on puppy class or older dogs that need to learn foundation behaviours. This class is great preparation for our Advanced Foundations class. Your dog will learn foundation behaviours such as sit, down, touch, place, recall, loose leash walking, calmly through the door, drop it. We’ll also incorporate discussions on common behaviour concerns.
This class is not set up for dogs to interact with one another or to use the other dogs in class as a means of distraction. This is a class focused on teaching foundation behaviours within a minimally distracting environment to set learners up for success. Dogs will have visual access to the other dogs in class during the first 5-10 minutes of class and potentially one station per class at a distance, to ensure dogs remain calm enough to learn. Our Advanced Foundations class is set up with all dogs in one space at a distance for increased distraction. To get the most out of this class we highly recommend viewing the orientation and resource page upon registration.
Join us for a fun, positive and Fear Free class!
Dogs must be comfortable around other people and dogs. Owners with fearful or anxious dogs require private training and are not suitable for class.
Location: Companion Veterinary Clinic
Advanced Foundations
$235 plus tax for 4 training classes
Is your dog looking for a new challenge? This class is for dogs 6 months of age and older that have taken private training or graduated from our Puppy Foundations or Mind Your Manners class. This class focuses on adding duration, distance and distraction to foundation behaviours such as; sit, down, place and loose leash walking. We also incorporate training games for added challenge and fun!
Join this fun and challenging class to help teach your dog to work with distractions!
Dogs must be comfortable around other people and dogs. Owners with fearful or anxious dogs require private training and are not suitable for class.
Location: Prairie Grooming & Training
Prerequisites: Dogs over 6 months of age and must be fully vaccinated, including bordetella.
No Hassle Nail Care
$200 plus tax for 4 training classes
This class will teach you how to get your dog comfortable with nail trims as well as how to teach your dog to use a nail board to file their nails. If your pet is fearful of nail trims, using a nail board while you work up to being able to do nail trims is a great tool for nail care.
This low volume class will allow for more one on one attention and the ability to cater to your dog’s nail trims needs.
Note: If your dog is fearful of paw handling, we will help you teach your dog to use the nail board in this class; however desensitizing and counter conditioning a fearful dog to paw handling can take several weeks (or even months). The trainer will demonstrate how you can break paw handling for nail trims into smaller steps, and you can continue working with your dog on handling after the class is completed. We also teach desensitizing and counter conditioning for nail trims in one on one Fear Free Sessions, feel free to email us if you’d like to explore this option.
Location: Virtual Class
Prerequisites: Dogs over 6 months of age.
Cooperative Care Class: Calm, Confident and In Control
$200 plus tax for 4 training classes
Learn to teach your pet to be comfortable with veterinary exam handling and equipment, medication administration for ears and eyes, and how to teach chin rest and stationing consent behaviours will all be covered in this awesome 4-week class!
All behaviours will be taught using positive reinforcement. After every class, you will receive an email summary of the class as well as homework and videos for reference!
Note: This class is perfect for prevention and for dogs that may be uncomfortable being handled at the vet. Dogs who are fearful or anxious in the clinic would be better suited to private cooperative care training where we can go at their pace. Email us at training@companionvet.ca for more information.
Location: Virtual session over Zoom
Come On In! Door Manners for Dogs
$185 plus tax for 4 training classes
Have you ever wondered how to teach your dog to run to their “place” mat or kennel when someone knocks on the door?
Learn how to teach your dog that awesome and practical behaviour in this 4-week virtual class. Attendees will also learn how to manage excitement at the front door in a way that sets guests and your dog up to succeed. Help your dog become a door greeter with poise in this Fear Free and fun class!
Location: Virtual session over Zoom, MST
Interested in this class? Please email training@companionvet.ca and we’ll send you an email when the next session is available.
Trick Training 101
$200 plus tax for 4 training classes
This class explores the foundation of trick training. Learn some fun and exciting tricks to add to your dog’s training routine and provide some excellent mental stimulation for your dog. Learn 15 tricks in total over 4 weeks. Join us for a fun, positive and Fear Free class!
Prerequisites: Dogs should have basic manners and be familiar with clicker training.
Location: Virtual session over Zoom, MST
Interested in this class? Please email training@companionvet.ca and we’ll send you an email when the next session is available.
Fear Free Sessions
Sessions are 30 minutes
The Companion Veterinary Training Team is Fear Free certified and has the skills and knowledge to help you and your pet enjoy their veterinary visits. These sessions are set up to teach your pet to be comfortable in a clinic setting and give you the skills to work on veterinary husbandry from home. Sessions include but are not limited to:
- Teaching you to recognize fear, anxiety, and stress in your pet, and how you can help prevent and alleviate these emotions.
- Desensitizing and counter-conditioning your pet to nail trims, administering medication and restraint.
- Teaching alternative behaviours such a chin rest and targeting. These behaviours give your pet’s confidence and help give them have control over their care.
- Conditioning to a basket muzzle if needed.
Please contact training@companionvet.ca to inquire.
Private Training Sessions
Contact us for training packages
Our Canine private training packages include but are not limited to:
- Basic manners such as: Sit, Down, Place, Touch, and Focus work on leash
- The prevention and management of commons behaviour concerns including: Puppy behaviours, barking, jumping and pulling on-leash
- Behaviour modification for common behaviour concerns such as fear and anxiety
Our Feline private training packages include but are not limited to:
- The prevention and management of kitten behaviours, multi-cat households, litter box habits, destructive scratching, and much more.
Behaviour Modification
If the animal is displaying fear, anxiety and/or aggression, please refer to the Veterinary Behaviour Referral page.