Group Classes
I offer the following group classes at Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah:
*Many classes book fast, but sometimes there are cancellations! If you don't see availability, please call Jax Dog Drop Riverdog at 425-427-5958 to be added to the waiting list.
★ Reactive Dogs
★ Manners
★ Sports
Fun-gility (Level 1) (at Dog's Day Out in Burien)
Fun-gility (Level 2) (at Dog's Day Out in Burien)
Reactive Dog Classes
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 (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $386
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
*New! Reactive Rover 102
This class is designed for Reactive Rover 101 graduates looking to develop real-life skills! In a safe and structured environment, you'll work on loose-leash walking, enhancing focus, calming your dog in challenging environments and more. While refining the skills learned in 101, you’ll also gain new and practical techniques to handle your dog’s reactivity with confidence. This class is also an excellent stepping stone for moving on to Reactive Rover 103.
Prerequisites: Reactive Rover 101
Class length: 4 classes (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $240
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
Start date: Thursday, Apr 24 at 7:30 PM - FULL
Start date: Sunday, June 29 at 12:00 PM (skip July 6 & Aug 3) - Register
*New! Reactive Rover 103
This advanced class builds on the foundations of Reactive Rover 101 and 102, transitioning from the classroom to real-world environments! As a group, you’ll practice in various outside locations, gradually introducing new and more challenging situations. Using progressive positive reinforcement techniques, be prepared to be amazed at how well your dog adopts and thrives in increasingly complex scenarios!
Prerequisites: Reactive Rover 102
Class length: 5 classes (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $300
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
Start date: Sunday, Apr 27 at 12:00 PM - FULL
Start date: Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 PM - Register (*1 spot left!)
Manners Classes
Ultimate Puppy
One of the most crucial aspects for puppies is positive exposure to new things (people, dogs, objects, different situations/environments) that they may find scary or too exciting! In addition to critical basic skills (puppy nipping, chewing, discourage jumping, polite greetings, proper leash-handling, sit, down, stay, drop, leave it, recall, leash walking, mat work), we heavily focus on how to properly socialize and desensitize your puppy during this important development stage. You will learn how to change "unwanted behaviors" to "desirable behaviors". Structured playtime is included if appropriate.
Your certified trainer (CPDT-KA, CCUI, AKC CGC Evaluator) will provide you with step-by-step training guidance and hands-on coaching, by using positive reinforcement based on behavioral science. This powerful tool for shaping your dog’s behavior will help create a strong and healthy relationship with your pup. High-energy or mildly skittish dogs are encouraged to apply.
Age at class start: 3 months to 1 year
Class length: 6 weeks (1 hour class / weekly)
Prerequisites: None
Price: $280
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
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 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, your certified instructor (CPDT-KA, CCUI, AKC CGC Evaluator) will help you understand canine behavior, body language, timing, and your dog’s unique way of thinking during this critical development stage.
This class also serves as a great foundation for dog sports or agility training, as your dog will begin building body awareness. Optional clicker training method is also included, and activities will be tailored to each dog, ensuring you always practice at the appropriate level. High-energy or mildly skittish dogs are encouraged to apply.
Age at class start: 4+ months
Class length: 6 weeks (1 hour class / weekly)
Prerequisites: None
Price: $280
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
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 class / weekly)
Prerequisites: Any Basic Obedience
Price: $260
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
TBD
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 (CCUI) 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 (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $280
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
AKC Canine Good Citizen
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 (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $280
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
Start date: Monday, April 21 at 7:30 PM - FULL
Start date: Monday, July 21 at 7:30 PM (skip Aug 4) - Register
2-hour 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, Balance harness, 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: $150
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
Sports Classes
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 (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $280
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
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.
Prerequisites: Agility 101
Length: 5 classes (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $260
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
Start date: Monday, June 2 at 6:15 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.
Length: 5 classes (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $260
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
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. Our Nosework for Fun class is for ALL dogs—whether they're shy, fearful, excitable, barky, reactive, or even seniors! One dog works at a time, while the others wait in your car or cubby between turns.
All levels are welcome! Tap into your dog's incredible sense of smell and discover the fun and focus of scent detection!
Length: 5 classes (1 hour class / weekly)
Price: $280
Location: Jax Dog Drop Riverdog in Issaquah
Schedule:
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.
Max class size: 4 dogs
Length: 5 classess (50min class / weekly)
Price: $255
Location: Dog's Day Out in Burien
Schedule:
Start date: Sunday, Apr 27 at 4:10 PM (skip 5/11 & 5/25) - FULL
Start date: Sunday, June 15 at 4:10 PM (skip 7/6 & 7/13) - 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 classess (50min class / weekly)
Price: $255
Location: Dog's Day Out in Burien
Schedule:
Start date: Sunday, Apr 27 at 5:10 PM (skip 5/11 & 5/25) - FULL
Start date: Sunday, June 15 at 5:10 PM (skip 7/6 & 7/13) - Register