Training for Life:
Puppy to PhD
Group Classes
Group Classes: Real-World Reliability & Socialization 🐾
Our Group Classes are designed to solidify your dog's obedience in a fun, real-world environment. While practicing commands, your dog will safely socialize with other dogs and learn to focus and respond reliably despite high levels of distraction.
What You'll Achieve:
Proofing Obedience: Ensure your dog listens even with other dogs and people present.
Essential Socialization: Build confidence and appropriate social skills in a controlled setting.
Confidence for Owners: Gain the assurance that your dog will be reliable outside the home.
🐾 Let’s Get Social! 🐾
Want to level up your dog’s manners around friends? You can join our group classes in two ways:
Join a 6-Week Session: Purchase a stand-alone class and let the fun begin!
Keep the Momentum Going: If you’re currently in (or have finished) a Private Lesson or Board & Train program, you’re officially a "Marley’s VIP." Join our community classes for Life to keep your momentum going, proof your skills under heavy distraction, and stay on track for your PhD graduation.
Classes will usually meet Tuesday evenings and Saturday & Sunday afternoons.
Current Classes Offered:
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program (Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsible Owner)
is an engaging and essential course designed to give you and your new puppy the best possible start together. This class is an incentive program for responsible dog owners and is the perfect foundation for future training, including the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.
Age: Puppies up to one year old.
Vaccinations: Current age-appropriate vaccinations are required.
Duration: The course is structured to meet the AKC requirement
of at least 6 weeks of instruction with an approved CGC Evaluator.
Urban Manners Class: Real-World Reliability
An intermediate course designed to take your dog's obedience skills out of the classroom
and into real-life, distracting situations.
This class meets at different pet-friendly locations each week (e.g., parks, shopping centers, outdoor cafes).
Prerequisites: Successful completion of our Puppy Class, a basic obedience class or a current/completed program with us.
Focus: Proofing existing skills (Stay, Come, Loose-Leash Walking/Heel) under high distraction.
Skills Covered:
Loose-Leash Walking past people, dogs, and moving objects.
Café Manners & Stores: Settling quietly under a table while the handler interacts with others and shopping.
"Leave It" around dropped food, garbage, and tempting items.
Polite Greetings with strangers and their dogs.
Outcome: A dog that is reliable, calm, and trustworthy in any public setting.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Therapy Dog Prep Class is designed to build a strong foundation of good manners and obedience, preparing your dog for both the American Kennel Club's (AKC) CGC evaluation and the more rigorous requirements of a therapy dog certification (like those from Therapy Dogs International or Alliance of Therapy Dogs).
The CGC is a 10-skill test that promotes responsible pet ownership and basic good manners. Successfully completing this evaluation is often a prerequisite or a major stepping stone for therapy dog programs. Our goal is to advance through all 3 Levels of the Canine Good Citizen Program: CGC, CGCA and Urban CGC
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a basic/advanced obedience class or a current/completed program with us.
What to bring to Class
* 4-6 ft leash (NO retractable leashes)
*Flat collar or harness (NO prong/pinch or E-Collars allowed)
* About a cup of small, soft treats & a hungry dog!
* Optional mat or towel for dog to relax on if class is at facility
* Optional toy to keep dog occupied between exercises if class is at facility
Please Be Aware:
Aggressive, Reactive, Overly Nervous and Anxious Dogs will not be allowed in Class. Ask out about our Reactive Dog Programs.
Children allowed if supervised by an adult and respectful of rules.
Dogs must be current on core vaccines, bordetella and have a negative fecal. We do accept titers and special cases. Please reach out with questions.
