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Loose Leash Walking and Manners class is a five session outdoor class designed for non-reactive dogs that just need to polish up their walking skills to deal with distractions and learn to approach people and other dogs politely. This class uses long line techniques and group drills to practice loose leash walking. We focus more on environmental rewards than treats after the initial stage of capturing attention in challenging situations. Prepare to have fun with your dog. Lessons will end with fun activities like tunneling and taking a dip in the doggy pool!

Basic Dog Training introduces fundamental concepts and building blocks for training. * Sit, Down, Stay * Hand Targeting and Foot Targeting * Paying Attention * Advanced Impulse Control * Beginning Recall * Beginning Leash Walking * Defensive Leash Handling

This class is the backbone of all training going forward. There will be some review of concepts and skills from Puppy Class, but no worries, we will be leveling up! All Seventh Heaven Training Classes include the following: * You will have access to an online folder where you can upload video or download video, your handbook and bonus training protocols will be loaded onto your site. * You can ask questions in a chat with me and your training team. * You will have access to videos to go along with most of the lessons. * At our first session you will be provided a printed handbook, clickers for your family and a foot target. This is a five session package. Each class is 1 hour long. Virtual Webinar: * We will start out with a virtual session where we will go over the basics of theory and the positive reinforcement training process. We will explore methods and tools. We will talk about Management Plans and the evolving use of space in your home, the types of training sessions, how to plan and execute a training session, class rules and your training toolkit. Session 1: Clicking and Calming * Magic Mat, Dog Body Language, Thresholds, Holding Treats and Treat Tossing, Attention, Look, now Watch!, Treat/ Retreat, Clicker Mechanics and Capturing Calm & The Name Game, The Stop Signal, Jazz Up, Settle Down. Session 2: Luring, Calisthenics, and the Foot Target * Clicker Management and the art of Luring, Sit from Stand Stage 1: Sit in front of you on a verbal cue only, Down from Sit, Luring onto a foot target, Impulse control: Leave It!, teaching tricks, Spin! Session 3: Attention and Adding the Leash * Learning Loops, Conquering Fears and getting attention, What is That?, Hand Targeting, Touch Tag, Clicker Management, adding the leash, Capturing attention when outdoors, Pattern Games, 1,2,3 Cookie! Session 4: Stay, Avoiding Stress & Graduation * Foot Target and time to Bungee!, Taking the stress out of a tight leash, Beginning Defensive Leash Handling, Emergency U-Turns, Pushing Buttons, Long Line Recall 101, Review of Skills, Q&A and Graduation! You are ready for Basic Manners! See you there!

Our Welcome Home Class will help you and your dog with the adjustment to a new home. We will talk about typical issues and will have some socialization opportunities. You will learn some strategies for introducing your dog to other pets and helping her interact with members of your family and friend group. This is a great class to get ready for Training Foundations and will also help you to determine if there are behaviors that you need to address in a private class before enrolling in group classes.

This class is a rolling admission course. If you miss a class, we will figure out when you can make the class up based on available sessions. Our Puppy Training and Socialization Class helps you get off to a great start with your new furry family member! Starting from the premise that our goal is for your dog to have freedom and agency, we will discuss setting limits while your dog is getting used to her new home, keeping a close eye on her, and starting as you want to have things go. This class offers rolling admission. You can start when you see an open slot and then take the five consecutive classes. This is a five session package. Each session is 45 minutes long. Also included, a virtual session where we can put together a personalized Management Plan. Be prepared to walk around your home! If you want to schedule a private session to create a more detailed management plan. The first half of the class will be spent going over puppy related issues: * Impulse Control * House Training * Jumping Up * Crate Training * Leash Acclimation * Management Strategies * Prevention of habits like Guarding and Separation Anxiety * Nipping or Biting The second half of the class will be a supervised play time where you and your dog will learn to identify positive play and different types of new items will be introduced to your puppy. Now you are ready for Foundations where we will focus on learning basic commands and Foundational Skills! See you there!

Much like our Puppy Class, Welcome Home Dog Training for Older dogs will help your work on issues including housebreaking, getting along with other pets in the home, jumping up, barking or any other behaviors that they may have picked up before they came to you. This class will help you build a bond with your new family member and make sure that their transition into your home is smooth! Welcome Home classes are private classes aimed at dealing with all of the issues that an older new dog can bring to the table.  Skills and Issues addressed include: * House Training * Crate Training * Getting Along with Other Pets * Being Left Alone * Walking on Leash * Potential issues with Guarding * Basic Behavior  * Impulse Control  * Learning House Rules​​ * Appropriate Greetings Any issues that you are dealing with during the adjustment period for your pup!

This class focuses on play and issues related to puppy behavior.​: * Potty Training * Jumping Up/ Appropriate Greetings * Nipping and Biting *The Rules of Play * Schedules and Management * Sit/ Down * Handling and Cooperative Care We will also customize the curriculum and add behaviors that would be appropriate for your puppy to learn! Group puppy socialization classes are for pups between the ages of 9-14 weeks. This period of time is called the Critical Socialization Period. It is important to introduce new people, places, things and experiences. For information about the importance of early socialization, please read the following statement: The Importance of Puppy Training.   

Foundations of Reactivity will provide you with the skills that you need to get a handle on Leash Reactivity, Reactivity to New People, and Fear Reactivity. It will also give you the tools that you and your dog need to  participate in Group Reactivity Classes. Since we are at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center, we can also work on addressing any issues related to fear or anxiety in a veterinary setting. We use positive reinforcement methods only. No aversives like prong collars, choke collars, or E-collars.  Your dog will learn to make better decisions and you will learn how to be an advocate for your dog by learning to guide your dog and read her cues.  In Group Reactivity, you will get practice in a controlled environment so that your dog can be more confident in the world! 

Practice your skills from Foundations of Reactivity in a controlled setting. Up to 5 dogs plus Sandy and Layla!

This package is for session that take place at the Richmond Training Center in Varina. Foundations of Reactivity will provide you with the skills that you need to get a handle on Leash Reactivity, Reactivity to New People, and Fear Reactivity. It will also give you the tools that you and your dog need to  participate in Group Reactivity Classes. We use positive reinforcement methods only. No aversives like prong collars, choke collars, or E-collars.  Your dog will learn to make better decisions and you will learn how to be an advocate for your dog by learning to guide your dog and read her cues.  In Group Reactivity, you will get practice in a controlled environment so that your dog can be more confident in the world! 

These Private Behavior Modification training sessions are designed for those who want to choose the Indoor Training Facility or who need to work on issues related to visiting the Veterinarian in addition to other behavioral issues. There is a large training room and fenced in outdoor space.

These Private Behavior Modification training sessions are designed for those who want to choose the Indoor Training Facility or who need to work on issues related to visiting the Veterinarian in addition to other behavioral issues. There is a large training room and fenced in outdoor space.