I have an animal : Classes & Training
Hands-On Learning for You and Your Pet
At the Seattle Humane Society, we are committed to keeping people and pets together. That is why we offer a wide array of training courses and workshops. From from Pet First Aid to Advanced Dog Agility, we are sure to have something for you and your furry family member!
- Kitten Kindergarten
- Doga: Yoga with Your Dog
- TTouch
- Run to Me
- Twofers
- Basic Dog Training: Puppy Manners & Dog Manners
- Intermediate Dog Training: Super Puppy & Super Manners
- Advanced Dog Training: Canine Good Citizens & Manners About Town
- Agility
- Clicks & Tricks
- Pet First Aid
Schedule & Registration
View or Print a Dog Training class and workshop schedule and registration form (Adobe Acrobat required) and mail or fax it in, or call (425) 373-5385. Questions? Email dogtraining@seattlehumane.org or call (425) 373-5385.
About Our Classes
Our dog training classes use positive, fun, dog-friendly training methods. Our qualified instructors will show you how to teach your dog to respond to voice cues (commands) and hand signals. We also rely heavily on Clicker Training.
Clicker training is a science-based system for teaching new behaviors with positive reinforcement. Students learn to use a consistent signal (the “click”) to mark a desired behavior right as the behavior is happening, and then follow that signal with a motivating reward, such as the dog's favorite food, toy or game. Because dogs understand precisely which action earned the click and their reward, they learn new behaviors quickly, easily and enthusiastically. (A word may be used as an alternative to the clicker.)
Wondering if your dog will respond to clicker training? Clicker training works with all breeds, all ages and all types of dogs. Even dogs who have been trained using “traditional,” correction-based methods can rapidly learn clicker training and have fun in the process! Many owners are amazed when their previously shy and hesitant dog becomes an enthusiastic and creative learner once the clicker is introduced. No dog is too young or too old to learn using this method…and old dogs really can learn new tricks!
Clicker training is a fast, humane and enriching way of teaching dogs to be great companions. And because clicker training does not rely on punishment, force, aversive methods, sprays or choke collars to get results, it is the only method that is safely and effectively used with puppies. If you want to lay the foundation for a strong, lifelong relationship between you and your dog, then come join the fun in our training classes!
Course Descriptions
NEW! Kitten Kindergarten
Wasington's first and only kitten socialization program, this fun course will socialize your kitten with other kittens, adult cats, people of all ages, and even cat-friendly dogs. You'll learn how to teach your kitten fun tricks, like 'sit' and how to come when called. You'll also learn helpful advice on how to prevent litter box problems, and how to redirect scratching instincts. This is a fun three-week course for you to bring your kitten to. Click here for the schedule and registration form!
Bring your dog with you to yoga class! This class is a fun way to explore yoga, massage, stretching, and relaxation techniques for both you and your dog. 
Deepen your connection with your dog, learn to transport your dog to a deeper level of calm and relaxation, and understand the basic principles of how yoga can benefit you and your dog. Discuss and practice methods of relating your movement to your dog’s movement. Click here for the Yoga with your dog registration form!
TTouch Saturday, June 28th 10am – 2pm
The Tellington Touch method is a combination of gentle bodywork, tools, and movement exercises that set in motion learning and behavior change, support well-being and bring
about clearer communication between people their companion animals. In this four-hour workshop you will learn about and practice a variety of tools and methods for calming and balancing your dog. Click here for registration information!
Run to Me
This workshop will teach you the ins and outs of successful "come when called" training, as well as steer you away from common pitfalls. You will learn and practice a variety of training excercises to get your dog running happily to you when you call him.
Twofers
This workshop is for ONE person with TWO dogs! Learn how to get training done when you have two dogs to train. Topics will include leash walking, coming when called, staying in place, and responding to cues from a distance.
Basic Dog Training: Puppy Manners & Dog Manners
Puppy Manners offers basic training and socialization for puppies. Topics include polite greetings, basic commands, problem-solving and off-leash play in compatible puppy play groups. In addition, puppies are positively introduced to a variety of new stimuli and learn to enjoy being handled by new people. This class is offered for two different age brackets, younger: 8 to16 weeks and older: 17 weeks to 7 months. After this class, puppies are ready for Super Puppy. Do bring your puppy with you to the first class.
Dog Manners covers polite greetings, basic commands, techniques for preventing unwanted behaviors and solutions to common behavior problems. Dogs must be at least eight months old when class begins. DO NOT BRING DOGS TO THE FIRST CLASS.
Intermediate Dog Training: Super Puppy & Super Manners
Super Puppy is the next step after Puppy Manners and adds a higher level of distraction and difficulty to the basic skills. In addition, new skills are introduced including recall (“come”) off distractions, out-of-sight stay and off-leash reliability. Class includes off-leash play time in compatible puppy play groups. Puppies must be no older than one year when class begins. Prerequisite: Puppy Manners or instructor permission.
Super Manners is the next step after Dog Manners and adds a higher level of distraction and difficulty to the basic skills. In addition, new skills are introduced including recall (“come”) off distractions, out-of-sight stay and response to cues from a distance. Prerequisite Super Puppy, Dog Manners or instructor permission.
Advanced Dog Training: Canine Good Citizens & Manners About Town
Canine Good Citizen Prep (CGC) 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/events/cgc. There will be an opportunity to take the CGC test for a small fee. Dogs who have their CGC certificates are eligible to apply for our Volunteer Visiting Pet Friends program. Prerequisite: Puppy Next Step, Basic Manners, or instructor permission.
Manners About Town puts basic skills to the test in the real world. This innovative class meets at various locations chosen by students, including parks, public shopping areas, hiking trails and more. Students will learn how to transfer the skills they’ve learned in class to real-world situations and increase their dog’s reliability when faced with major distractions. Prerequisite: Super Puppy, Super Manners, CGC Prep, or instructor permission.
Introduction to Agility (Level I)
Team up with your dog to learn how to navigate obstacle courses together! Agility is a great way to build confidence in a shy dog or to focus the energy of an exuberant dog. Obstacles introduced include jumps, tunnels and the table. Handling exercises introduce sends, calls, post turns and front crosses. Dogs must be at least one year old when class begins. Pre-requisite: instructor permission.
Agility Obstacles and Handling (Level II)
Continue to strengthen the skills learned in Introduction to Agility as well as teach your dog to navigate weave poles and the teeter. Handler exercises introduce rear crosses and sequencing. Agility Level II increases in difficulty each session for returning students and is intended to be taken repeatedly until students are ready for Agility Level III. Pre-requisite: Introduction to Agility.
Agility Patterns and Proofing (Level III)
Challenge your dog’s knowledge of the obstacles and handling cues learned in Agility Level II. This class improves dog/handler teams’ ability to work smoothly together in motion. Agility Level III increases in difficulty each session for returning students and is intended to be taken repeatedly until students are ready for competition handling classes. Pre-requisite: instructor permission.
Clicks & Tricks
Tricks and Clicks is a fun class for dogs who have mastered the basics. Students learn how to use a clicker to shape fun tricks and other behaviors. Rally-O and agility style courses are used to practice obedience skills and encourage students to work with their dogs as a team. Prerequisite: Super Puppy, Dog Manners or instructor permission.
Pet First Aid: Be Your Pet's First Responder
If your pet had a medical emergency, would you know what to do? You will be taught appropriate lifesaving skills for medical emergencies involving your pets.
The Pet First Aid workshop will teach you how to:
• Find your pet’s vital signs
• Determine when and how to move an injured pet
• Muzzle, bandage and splint
• Respond to wounds, bleeding and shock
• Carry out rescue breathing
• Respond to choking, allergic reactions and sudden illness
Throughout the course, you’ll practice your new skills on special pet mannequins. You’ll also receive the 115-page book Pet First Aid. This indispensable reference explains, in simple terms, how you can administer immediate help. Click here to see upcoming dates and download PDF Registration form for Pet First Aid.
All of our instructors are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, whose vision is to see that "all dogs are effectively trained through dog-friendly techniques and therefore are lifelong companions in a relationship based on mutual trust and respect."
Amanda Brothers is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) and a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She has a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Stanford University and a strong background in learning theory and classical/operant conditioning. Amanda assisted dog training classes at Seattle Humane Society prior to becoming an instructor and worked for three years as the Adoption and Admissions Supervisor for the organization. She has attended many dog training lectures and seminars and has years of hands on training experience, particularly with newly adopted dogs and puppies. Her areas of expertise are adoption counseling, pet dog manners, shelter dog training and temperament testing. Amanda and her husband share their home with several adopted dogs.
Ali Johnson is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) and a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and graduated with distinction (top 15%) from Stanford University. Ali's first word was "doggie" but despite this, she went on to a Ph.D. program in Biochemistry at Duke University before coming to her senses and moving to dog training full time. Ali has attended numerous workshops and seminars in order to learn more about helping dogs and people live better together. Ali continues to hone her hands on expertise with a variety of dogs through volunteer work with the Seattle Humane Society’s Behavior Program. She shares her home and life with three rescue dogs and a very patient husband. She specializes in canine good citizen, canine body language and agility for fun and competition.
Gayle Ballinger has years of experience teaching group classes and is committed to using positive methods to shape behavior. An animal lover since childhood, Gayle Ballinger began dog training as a student over 20 years ago. In the mid 90’s, she completed an apprenticeship with a local dog training school where she worked for some time. Gayle believes that training can and should be done without pain or fear while helping people move the relationship they have with their dogs in the right direction. As a cancer survivor, Gayle believes you need to keep a positive outlook, believe in your heart and pursue your dreams. An avid boater, Gayle is currently serving as the Vice Commodore for the Yacht Dogs Yacht Club. Gayle volunteers for several area rescue groups and shelters, and she has learned the special joys of fostering dogs in her home. Gayle attended the Bob Bailey Legacy Survey Operant Conditioning Workshop where she learned a lot and really enjoyed training chickens!
Cheri Yates has a master’s degree in learning theory and a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Washington. She has extensive background and experience in behaviorism and human and canine cognitive development. She recently attended the Animal Behavior College for dog training. Cheri volunteers in multiple dog related programs at the Seattle Humane Society. In addition she attends workshops, conferences, and seminars in order to constantly improve her skills and increase her knowledge base. Cheri has trained dogs throughout the range of levels from puppy kindergarten through intermediate classes. She has also been an enthusiastic participant in the Canine Good Citizenship program with all of her own dogs. She is currently training one of her dogs to compete in AKC competitive obedience trials, which requires a high degree of performance in basic and advanced dog skills.
Christine Hibbard graduated with honors from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, earning her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) credential. She studied with Jean Donaldson, and Janis Bradley. She has completed advanced work in dog/dog aggression, instructional design, and communications. Christine specializes in aggression, separation anxiety, and other behavior issues. Her passion and creativity bring fun, inventive training solutions to challenging behavior problems. She is a volunteer for Australian Shepherd Rescue & Placement Helpline.