Group Classes

I offer the following group classes at Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah:

• Reactive Rover 101

• Reactive Rover 102

• Ultimate Puppy

• Surviving a Teenage Dog

• Intermediate Manners (Game-N-Train)

• Control Unleashed (Advanced Manners)

• Canine Good Citizen Prep

• Agility 101

• Agility 102

• Agility 103

• Nosework for Fun!

• Workshop (Leash Walking, Recall, and Desensitization)

I offer the following group classes at Dog's Day Out in Burien:

• Fun-gility (Level 1)

• Fun-gility (Level 2) 

Reactive Rover 101

This 6-week class is for dogs exhibiting on-leash reactivity such as lunging, barking, pulling, snapping, snarling, or displaying anxiety and fear around other dogs. We accommodate only 5 dogs to ensure effective learning and practice in a safe and controlled environment. Participants can expect plenty of hands-on, step-by-step practice with various dogs!
We use positive reinforcement training and behavior modification based on behavioral science to develop new responses to situations that prompt your dog to overreact. All participants must complete a questionnaire, and the first week of class is a required orientation for people only. Get ready to learn new ways of relating to your dog to increase their ability to handle challenging situations.

• Age at start of class: 5+ Months

• Class length: 6 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 6 classes: $386

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Tuesday, May 7 at 7:45 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30 PM (skip July 3) - Register (*2 spots left!)

  • Start date: Wednesday, May 29 at 7:45 PM (skip July 3) - Register (*2 spots left!)

  • Start date: Monday, July 9 at 6:30 PM- Register

  • Start date: Monday, July 9 at 7:45 PM- Register

Reactive Rover 102

This class is a continuation of Reactive Rover 101, and moves outside the classroom for ongoing work around novel circumstances. Building on the strategies learned in 101, the class will work as a group in several different locations. Progressive positive behavior conditioning continues to be emphasized and practiced, and a maximum of 5 dogs is allowed. Be prepared to be amazed at how well your newly conditioned pet can cope with increasingly challenging situations.

• Age at start of class: 5+ Months

• Max class size: 5 dogs

• Prerequisites: Reactive Rover 101

• Class length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $300

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Thursday, May 23 at 7:45 PM- FULL

  • Start date: Thursday, July 11 at 7:45 PM- Register

Surviving a Teenage Dog

Adolescence is a challenging time for both you and your pup, even if your pup has some basic training because your pup’s underdeveloped brain is constantly changing and learning. This class is designed for older puppies and adolescent dogs who need to work on focus, impulse control, and advanced manners such as loose leash walking, reliable recall, meet and greet, and much more. Surviving a Teenage Dog is a play and train style class that uses tons of fun games and challenges that often work better for dogs who do not respond well to traditional or standard training methods. With reward-based positive reinforcement training backed by behavioral science, you will learn how to understand canine behavior, body language, timing, and your dog’s unique way of thinking during this critical development stage. This class is also a good primer for dog sports or Agility classes since your dog will begin to build body awareness while maneuvering around various equipment during class. Optional clicker training method is also included. High-energy or mildly skittish dogs are encouraged to apply.

• Age at class start: 5+ months

• Class length: 6 weeks (1 hour per week) (Bring your dog every week)

• Prerequisites: None

• Price for all 6 classes: $280

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Sunday, April 14 at 10:45 AM - FULL

  • Start date: Sunday, June 2 at 10:45 AM (skip July 7) - Register

  • Start date: Sunday, July 28 at 9:30 AM (skip Sep 1) - (*registration will open in May)

Intermediate Manners (Game-N-Train)

This class is for dogs that have completed basic manners to advance their skills to the next level in a play-and-train style! The instructor will tailor the activities to each dog, so you’ll always be practicing at the right level. The dogs who may struggle with stimulus control such as leash pulling, becoming overstimulated, high energy, or mildly skittish dogs are encouraged to apply!

This class includes many practical exercises for you to develop better handling skills in a real-world environment by using positive reinforcement training based on behavioral science. You will learn how to read body language, understand canine behavior and your dog’s way of thinking, and capture the correct behavior for reinforcement to help your dog make the right choices on its own. Optional clicker training method is also included.

• Age at class start: 6+ months

• Class length: 5 weeks (1 hour per week) (Bring your dog every week)

• Prerequisites: Any Basic Obedience

• Price for all 5 classes: $260

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Sunday, April 14 at 12:00 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Sunday, June 2 at 12:00 PM - Register (* 2 spots left!)

  • Start date: Sunday, July 28 at 10:45 AM - (*registration will open in May)

Control Unleashed (Advanced Manners)

Learn how to turn stress to confidence and distraction to focus using methods that are 110% positive! Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed program is designed to help "dogs with issues" learn how to relax, focus, and work off-leash reliably in stimulating or stressful situations. Who needs Control Unleashed? Dogs that are uncomfortable or unable to work off lead around other dogs, dogs that are easily distracted and have difficulty concentrating, dogs that are easily aroused, and dogs that are anxious or stressed and unable to control their impulses when excited. Your certified instructor will guide you through a series of progressive exercises and engaging games, empowering your dog to make correct and rewardable choices both on and off the leash. Elevate your dog's confidence and focus with Control Unleashed!

• Age at start of class: 6+ months

• Prerequisites: Basic or Intermediate obedience. **Reactive dogs require trainer's pre-approval.**

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $260

• Max class size: 6 dogs

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Tuesday, May 7 at 5:15 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Sunday, July 28 at 12:00 PM - (*registration will open in May)

Canine Good Citizen Prep

CGC (Canine Good Citizen) by AKC (American Kennel Club) is a ten-skill training program that’s open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed–that focuses on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community. The CGC title is also a prerequisite for many therapy dog certifications, as well as a great introduction to more advanced dog sports and activities. Some homeowners’ insurance programs even offer discounts for CGC dogs, and an increasing number of apartments and condos see CGC awards as a major bonus for becoming a resident.

For dogs and owners who wish to prepare for the Canine Good Citizen Certification, this class includes group and one-on-one work. All exercises are designed to over-prepare a dog for all 10 exercises necessary to receive the certification. 5 weeks long - 4 weeks instruction, 1 week for testing.

• Age at start of class: 7+ months

• Prerequisites: Basic Obedience

• Class length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $280

  Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Monday, August 26 at 7:30 PM (*registration will open in June!)

Agility 101

For any breed over 5 months of age, this is a wonderful, confidence-building class for any dog. Agility is the fastest growing dog sport in the world, and for good reason - it is a fun way to expand your dog's thinking skills, balance capabilities, and ability to negotiate obstacles in a safe, confident manner. It’s also a great exercise for both you and your dog! The dozens of tricks taught in the class are not only fun, but also serve as helpful ways for your dog and children to safely interact.

• Age at start of class: 5+ months

• Prerequisites: Any basic obedience. **Reactive dogs require trainer's pre-approval.**

• Max class size: 6 dogs

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $280

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Monday, May 6 at 5:00 PM (skip 5/27) - FULL

  • Start date: Monday, August 26 at 6:00 PM- (*registration will open in June)

Agility 102

This class is geared towards people who have fallen in love with the sport of agility through our 101 class and are interested in increasing their skills. Off-leash work is central to this class, because to really enjoy the sport of agility, handlers need to be able to run their dogs off-leash. In addition to working towards off-leash control, key elements of this class include getting your dog to focus on you, improving your footwork, front and rear crosses, lead outs, turns, distance jumping and running simple courses. This class is a great way to exercise and bond with your dog and enjoy special, productive time with each other each week. Dogs must be reasonably under control off leash, know basic Sit, Stay, and Come. Don't meet the pre-requisites? Feel free to ask for an Instructor Evaluation.

• Prerequisites: Agility and Tricks 101. **Reactive dogs require trainer's pre-approval.**

• Max class size: 6 dogs

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $260

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Monday, May 6 at 6:15 PM (skip 5/27) - FULL

  • Start date: Monday, July 8 at 6:00 PM- Register

Agility 103

This class is for students who have completed Agility 101 and 102. Building on the skills learned in Agility 102, students will practice executing progressively more challenging crosses and turns. Students will also practice simple obstacle discriminations and traps.

Agility is the fastest growing dog sport in the world, and for good reason - it is a fun way to expand your dog's thinking skills, balance capabilities, and ability to negotiate obstacles in a safe, confident manner.

• Prerequisites: Agility 102. **Reactive dogs require trainer's pre-approval.**

• Max class size: 6 dogs

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $260

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Monday, May 6 at 7:30 PM (skip 5/27)- FULL

  • Start date: Monday, July 8 at 7:15 PM- Register

Nosework for Fun!

Scent detection (aka scentwork, search work) is the hottest new sport because every dog enjoys using their nose! It can greatly help them gain confidence, focus, and provides an outlet for their natural hunting desire. The Nosework for Fun class is for ALL dogs - shy/fearful, excitable, barky or reactive, or even seniors! One dog works at a time, and the rest needs to be kept in your car or crate between turns.

*This class is designed as an introduction to train your dog's sense of smell.* Tap into their superior senses of smell to explore the fun and focus of scent detection!

• Max class size: 5 dogs

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 1 hour. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $280

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 AM - FULL

  • Start date: Monday, May 6 at 3:30 PM (skip 5/27) - FULL

  • Start date: Monday, July 8 at 3:15 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Monday, July 8 at 4:30 PM - Register (*1 spot left!)

Workshop (Leash Walking, Recall, and Desensitization)

Do you feel like your dog is taking you for a walk? Frustrated with your dog not coming back to you? Does your dog get overly excited, anxious, or fearful of certain triggers? Life is busy and you don't have enough time to commit to weekly classes? This 2-hour workshop is packed with fun training games to improve these crucial skills!

We will focus specifically on teaching your dog to walk with a loose leash with the appropriate equipment, a step-by-step reliable recall, and how to make your dog feel good about exciting or scary things around them.

This class is unsuitable for any dog with leash aggression towards other dogs and people. Please ask us if our Reactive Rover 101 class may be more appropriate for you. Normal young dog exuberance is OK.

We use scientifically-proven, positive reinforcement methods to train your dogs, as training should be fun, humane, and effective!

During this workshop, dogs must use one of the following tools: A flat collar, an Easy-Walker Harness or Wonder-Walker Harness, Freedom No-pull harness, A Gentle Leader Head Collar, or other Body Harnesses. No prong collars, choke chains, e-collars, or flexi leashes are allowed.

• Age at start of class: 4+ Months

• Class length: One workshop (two hours).

• Price the class: $150

• Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah

• Schedule:

  • Sunday, April 7, 10 AM-12 PM - FULL

  • Sunday, May 19, 12:45-2:45 PM - FULL

Fun-gility (Level 1)

Fun-gility is agility for everyone from puppies to senior dogs! This five-week class will introduce the obstacles including Jump, A-Frame, Dogwalk, Tunnel, Teeter, Weave Poles, and some basic handling.

Fun-gility is a wonderful, confidence-building class, where dogs will get some exercise and have some fun. It is also a great way to expand your dog’s thinking skills, balance capabilities, and ability to negotiate obstacles in a safe, confident manner. Many tricks taught in the class are not only fun, but also help engage your dog’s interest in fun activities.

Dogs must be non-reactive in an indoor group class setting. This class is not appropriate for reactive dogs.

• Max class size: 4 dogs

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 50 minutes. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $255

• Location: Dog's Day Out in Burien

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Sunday, April 14 at 4:10 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Sunday, June 2 at 4:10 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Sunday, June 2 at 5:10 PM - Register

  • Start date: Sunday, July 28 at 4:10 PM - Register

Fun-gility (Level 2)

Let's continue the fun! This class is for the students who've already taken Fun-gility. We will start working on different types of crosses, lead outs, and improving your handling skill to run longer and more challenging courses. You and your dogs will love this class. You'll get the opportunity to do some fun exercises together each week!

Dogs must be non-reactive in an indoor group class setting. This class is not appropriate for reactive dogs.

• Prerequisites: Fun-gility (Level 1)

• Max class size: 4 dogs

• Length: 5 classes. Classes are 50 minutes. Classes are weekly.

• Price for all 5 classes: $255

• Location: Dog's Day Out in Burien

• Schedule:

  • Start date: Sunday, April 14 at 5:10 PM - FULL

  • Start date: Sunday, July 28 at 5:10 PM - Register