Upcoming Classes

As the Dog Learns is Back for a winter session of  new classes built with your dogs needs in mind, your time and your budgets at our amazing (township approved) location!!

All classes will be held at
4179 65th Street, Holland 49423
unless otherwise specified.

A little word about our new training location: In this space, we have access to a designated indoor facility with a safe potty break fenced in area attached. We also have access to natural trails right on the property! I am SO excited to have this amazing opportunity as a result of some generous people in my life and I cannot wait to work with you and your favorite furry friends!

Instead of the same old tired 5 or 6 week class of group obedience where almost everyone knows to sit and some know down- so they are waiting patiently while their friends learn things each week- I am going to create short sessions- like workshops focused on one or possibly two things at a time for anywhere from 1-5 weeks depending on the topic!

This will be easier to plan and commit to for you- if its only 3 lessons, that is much easier to visualize in real time than 6 lessons…and that means you will be getting more bang for your buck since we will be focusing on specific tasks, requests, skills and everyone in the room is there for the same reason! Stay tuned for more topics!

Topics starting in January

Is your dog full of opinions about the UPS truck, or the neighbor working in their yard? Is riding in the car ear plug worthy for you and your passengers? What about attention barking? Then this class is for you! Barking is not a bad thing…But, just like us- there is a time to keep our mouths shut and that is what we hope to help our fur friends understand. The first class will be for the humans only and then the following two classes will be with the humans and the canines!

Monday January 26, Feb 2 and feb 9  6pm-7pm

3 sessions 120.00

NEW! As the Dog Learns Presents PUPPY CLUB

This is a program for puppies 10weeks to 6 months with appropriate vaccines

Mondays 9am-2pm (Puppies can stay later based on owner schedule if necessary)
Saturday 10am-2pm with a 30 min group lesson for humans and puppies at pick up. 2:00-2:30

This program will help our puppies learn proper social cues, play styles, when to give an appropriate correction to their friends and when to take one. We will work on impulse control by spending time doing manners, we will work on body awareness, confidence building and introductions to sounds, grooming equipment, and when appropriate, we will introduce our puppies to adult playmates so they can transition into a group play setting with their friends at the daycare of your choice like our favorite- Dogs Bay Country Cottage!

Included in the puppy club program is a free overnight trial boarding at Dogs Bay Country Club for Dogs and a free daycare trial at Dogs Bay Country Cottage.

Puppy Club Sessions are 40.00 a day

Vaccine requirements for our puppies- age appropriate distemper boosters (must have at least one booster to begin) negative fecal test and a bordatella vaccine. Vaccines will need to be boosted per the Vets recommendation monthly

Sit, Down, Stay, Focus.

This class is perfect for beginners, just starting the learning process.

Future dates to be determined.

3 weeks -120.00 for 3 sixty minute classes.

Patience is not only a virtue but the groundwork for ALL things good dog! This class is designed for our friends that have trouble keeping their focus, but it is even more so for their handlers. The first class will be for the humans without their dogs. Second class will be with their dogs to see it in real time.

Wed Jan 21st and Jan 28th 6:00pm-7:00pm

2 weeks- 80.00 for 2 sixty minute classes.

This will be limited to 3 dogs/handlers per session. Do you have a dog who is afraid of people, items, places they are not familiar with? Does your dogs mohawk spike when approached, or backs away barking like they are trying to get rid of monsters? This could be a starting point for you and your fur kid to build confidence and trust.

Sunday Jan 18, 25 and Feb 1 2:00pm-3:00pm

3 weeks- 120.00 for 3 sixty-minute sessions.

The first class is for the humans, without their dog. The next two sessions will require human and dog to be in attendance.

In this class series we will focus ONLY on the proper techniques, tools and tips to help your furry bestie learn the mechanics of a controlled walk and the meaning of heel.

Future dates to be determined.

3 weeks- 120.00 for 3 sixty minute sessions.

The first class we will discuss proper tools- what is the best collar, harness, halter for your particular dog. We will introduce how to put your dog into the heel position. The next 2 sessions we will walk the walk! Getting the dogs used to the control and working for their sniffs. We will walk on the street and through some natural trails.

This class is for puppies up to 7 months! Puppies must have Bordatella vaccine, and any age appropriate boosters. Rabies is not required until they are 6 months of age. We want to keep our babies strong and healthy! Maybe you have a dream that you and your furbaby are going to grow up to be a therapy dog team, this is the class to get you started! Or maybe just want to do something fun to help you and your baby dog have some bonding time…No matter what your goals are, starting with a puppy class is SO important This class will combine socialization, confidence building, problem solving and manners.

Future dates to be determined.

4 weeks- 160.00 for 4 sixty-minute sessions. A portion of each class session will be designated to group play and interaction.

Are you ready to put your pooch to the test to see how they measure up to the American Kennel Club’s standards for a Good Citizen? And do you love to show off your dog’s achievements with ribbons and bling? Are you working on being certified as a therapy team?- This will be your first step in that journey.

DATE AND TIME TBD

3 weeks- 140.00 for 3 sixty-minute sessions.

In the first week, we will go over the requirements and tools that can be used to take the CGC Test and we will start working on the requirements. The second week we will continue building on the skills required and the third week we will take the test. (there is a 20.00 extra fee added in order for me to maintain my certification and submit and supply the materials) TIME AND DATE STILL TO BE DETERMINED

Do you have those friends who send out a family newsletter, christmas card, or the perfect profile photos on their socials?… You know what I mean!!! The dog is dressed in a cute hat sitting like he/she are Besties with Santa, or the Easter Bunny…Reindeer, Christmas gifts, easter baskets and spring flower pots all around and it appears there has not been one moment of chaos from the looks at the photo?!
OR you are out and about and THE Perfect photo op happens and you SO badly want to snap a pic of your furkid in that moment, but you cant get them posed and staying as you try to take the picture???
WELL then this class is for YOU and your favorite fuzzy friend(s)
I am unabashedly one of those people…Pictures daily of the adorable that is my pack of dogs and I LOVE photo ops, and I am not sorry!
Week 1:  We will work with striking the pose and holding the position while our expert photographer (Amber White- Pawtraits by Amber) does her thing to get their attention just in a learning environment. We may put a few things around and near to get them used to sitting next to things or in front of things. SO FUN
Week 2: We will expand on Week 1 tasks and add in more items, poses and props. Leading up to the final and BEST part of the class which will happen in our last class…
Week 3: THE PHOTO SESSION. We will set up a background, props, etc. and Amber will take some professional photos of your furkid that she will edit and email to you within a week from our final class.
You will not only be working on impulse control, stay, wait and focus in this class BUT you will walk away with some gorgeous professional photos that you can use in any way you like!

Sunday Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8 3:30-4:30
3 weeks- $180 for 3 sixty minute classes
A portion of the class cost will include the time, editing and backdrop/prop equipment for Pawtraits by Amber.

The one where we take a field trip. This class is for any Pup and Parent/Handler who have participated in at least one As the Dog Learns obedience class  or in the most recent Oh The Leash Walk Class. We will put our skills to the test in an environment that is riddled with distractions, people and other great opportunities to put it all together in a real life setting

Future dates to be determined. 1 week- $25 for 1 sixty minute Field trip class

Location: Lowes Home Improvement Located off Felch and US 31. We will meet outside the building entrance closest to the Garden Center

Supplies Needed: A harness or Martingale Collar or a Gentle Lead/Halti Head halter. 4,5 or 6ft nylon or leather leash HIGH VALUE TREATS- soft, not crunchy. warm and smoky or salty works best.

What is more important than a reliable Recall?

In this class we will focus ONLY on the methods to teach your dog to return and how to consistently reinforce that recall even at short distances. This class is suitable for any dog that can sit and stay!

Future dates to be determined.
2 weeks- $80 for 2 sixty minute classes

Supplies needed:

  • A martingale collar or a secure harness (no slip leads for this class)
  • 6 ft nylon or leather leash
  • 10-25 ft training leash
  • Favorite ball, squeak toy, frisbee AND HIGH VALUE BIG TREATS (nothing too tiny because they have to be able to smell and find them from a distance)

Phone Consultations: $75 for the initial session

Private in Home Training Session: $130

Any follow up lessons on site or by phone will be determined based on time

Registration Form

FUTURE TOPICS ON THE HORIZON!

I have so many great class topics and ideas.

How about: How to take a great dog photo class?- How many times do the pictures with santa look like the dog is about to poop on santas lap?

We will have fitness classes, and all of the Canine Good Citizen certification classes, Field trip classes and “I want to be a therapy dog team” classes. And absolutely Intro to agility classes, just to name a few!

Ready to have a happy, balanced fur kid?

Registration Form
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