Created for dogs 5 months or older
Five Week Course (1-hour classes)
Multiple Classes Offered
$195
Beginner Training focuses on teaching dogs to pay attention to owners, learning obedience commands, addressing typical behavioral issues and preventing negative issues and aggression.
*Socialization is not included. Anxiety, fears, aggression, leash reactivity and reactive behavior is not included.
After graduating Bark-A-Bout’s Beginner Training Class, continue on in our Intermediate Training Class!
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ENROLL IN A BEGINNER TRAINING CLASS TODAY!
Beginner Obedience FAQ’s
How old does my dog have to be to enjoy a Beginner Training Class?
Beginner Training Classes are tailored to dogs 5 months and older. Bark-A-Bout’s Intermediate Training Class is the next class following graduation of this Beginner Training Class.
If you have questions as to whether Beginner Training is right for you and your pup, please call us at (586)566-8900.
What does the Beginner Training Class cover, and what will we learn?
Beginner Training Class is for dog just beginning training or who may know just a few obedience commands. Dogs over 5 months old welcome. Focusing on paying attention to their owner, learning obedience commands, addressing typical behavioral issues, and prevention of aggression. *Socialization is not included.
BEGINNER TRAINING 5-WEEK CLASS ITINERARY:
WRITTEN HANDOUTS:
7-Page Owner’s Manual, Behavior Handouts and Weekly Homework handouts
LEARN HOW DOGS COMMUNICATE:
How dogs think, learn and communicate. Learn how to train and teach your dog in a way that they can understand so that you can raise a well behaved, social family dog.
PETCARE TIPS:
Crating, nutrition, housetraining, socialization and more.
BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS:
Nipping, jumping, attention seeking, chewing/destruction, counter surfing, door darting, barking and other typical “doggie” behaviors. Prevent aggression, fear and resource guarding etc.
LEARN TRAINING CUES:
Watch Me, Sit, Wait, OK, Down, Off, Drop it, Trade, Come, Let’s go (leash skills).
WHEN TO SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG:
Learn how and when to properly socialize your dog.
MANNERS:
Walking politely on leash, greeting people politely, waiting for doors and food bowls.
Is a classroom setting appropriate for my dog?
We understand that dogs may be unpredictable when placed into new environments. Please use your best judgement to determine if your dog will be comfortable in a classroom setting surrounded by new dogs and new people. If your dog is very fearful, anxious or vocal, our classroom setting may not be the best choice for your training needs.
How do I register my dog for a Beginner Training Class?
PLEASE CLICK ON AN AVAILABLE CLASS LISTED ABOVE. A pop-up will appear with directions. Please create a Customer Portal if your dog does not already have one, and be sure to sign all waivers in the portal. Once you have created a Portal for your dog and signed the waivers, please call up Bark-A-Bout to give FULL PAYMENT for your Obedience Class. A Bark-A-Bout receptionist will be happy to help you and complete your payment transaction.
NON-NEGOTIABLE REFUND POLICY: Full payment is due at the time of class registration. In following social distancing guidelines, limited student count is required. Due to tight restrictions on class size, full refunds will only be issued for cancellations made more than 24 hours prior to the start of class. For cancellations made within the 24-hour window prior to the start of class, $60 will be deducted from your refund. Once class starts, no refunds will be issued.
About Bark-A-Bout's Trainer, Wendy MacKenzie, CPDT-KA
Wendy MacKenzie
Proudly uses ONLY positive, rewards-based training methods.
Wendy believes all pets should enjoy the training process. This will lead to a happier, more confident and well-adjusted pet.
Wendy’s Accreditations & Certifications:
– Dog Obedience Trainer (20+ years)
– Educated 4,000+ dogs/owners of all breeds/ages, including blind, deaf and special-needs dogs.
– Association of Pet Dog Trainers – CPDT-KA Certified
– Pet Professionals Guild Member (Fear-free, Pain-free, Force-free group)
– American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (AKC/CGC)
– AKC Fit Dog Certified Instructor
– Owned her own Obedience Training facility (3 years)
– Learned about dogs internally as a Veterinarian Surgical Assistant. (3 years)
What vaccinations are required for my dog?
To ensure the safety of all dogs participating in class, each dog is required to be vaccinated for the vaccines listed below. To ensure your dog has met all vaccination requirements, we require you to submit all vaccine documentation prior to the start of class by either uploading them to your dog’s Customer Portal, emailing them to medical@barkabout.net, or faxing them to (586)685-7040. Please include your pet’s full name and your contact information.
Required:
— Bordetella (Click here for non-negotiable waiting period requirements)
— DHLPP (Puppies are required to have a minimum of 2 in the series before beginning class)
— Rabies (By 6 months of age)
— A negative Fecal Screening
— 2 Influenza bivalent vaccines
What do I bring to class?
WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS:
1.) PROOF OF PURCHASE OF CLASS:
If you have a receipt or print-out of your proof of purchase of the class, please bring it with you to class.
2.) AGE-APPROPRIATE VACCINATION RECORDS:
To ensure the safety of all dogs participating in class, each dog is required to be vaccinated for the vaccines listed below. To ensure your dog has met all vaccination requirements, we require you to submit all vaccine documentation prior to the start of class by either uploading them to your dog’s “Customer Portal“, emailing them to medical@barkabout.net, or faxing them to (586)789-9711. Please include your pet’s full name and your contact information.
Required:
— Bordetella (Click here for non-negotiable waiting period requirements)
— DHLPP (Puppies are required to have a minimum of 2 in the series before beginning class)
— Rabies (By 6 months of age)
— A negative Fecal Screening
— 2 Influenza bivalent vaccines
3.) A POTTIED, HUNGRY AND EXERCISED DOG
4.) 5-6 FOOT REGULAR LEASH
Please bring your dog to class on a REGULAR 5-6′ leash. No retractable leashes or choke/prong collars permitted.
5.) TRAINING BAG FULL OF SOFT CHEWABLE TREATS:
We ask that you have a fanny-pack style training bag and tiny soft treats. A bully stick is also helpful to keep your dog settled.
**Bark-A-Bout sells leashes, fanny-pack style treat bags, and a wide selection of chewable treats and incentive toys in our Pet Boutique for your convenience.
Can more than one person come to class with the dog?
We require one person from your family to handle your dog during class time, but highly encourage all family members who are appropriate age to attend/observe.
What happens if I've already started taking a class, and now I need to be absent for a week?
Class duration is kept short to accommodate busy schedules. Please plan accordingly as we build on behaviors and skills each week. Meanwhile, please speak to Bark-A-Bout’s Dog Trainer to discuss your absence.
What is your return policy if I want to cancel my registration?
NON-NEGOTIABLE REFUND POLICY: Full payment is due at the time of class registration. In following social distancing guidelines, limited student count is required. Due to tight restrictions on class size, full refunds will only be issued for cancellations made more than 24 hours prior to the start of class. For cancellations made within the 24-hour window prior to the start of class, $60 will be deducted from your refund. Once class starts, no refunds will be issued.
What are your social distancing guidelines?
To minimize possible exposure to Covid-19, Bark-A-Bout strictly adheres to all CDC Guidelines regarding social distancing and mask mandates. As of May 15, 2021, masks are not required of vaccinated individuals. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Please visit here for further details.