Training Classes
Training Classes
Calgary Humane Society Dog Training
We offer dog training classes for several situations, ranging from foundational puppy obedience training, to beginner obedience dog training for adult dogs, and special classes for reactive and fearful dogs.
When you choose Calgary Humane Society for your training classes, your registration fee goes right back to helping other animals. Plus, Calgary Humane Society members get 15% off.
Please note, when registering through Eventbrite, you must fill out every field on the form to successfully place the order.
Training Classes
Canine Foundation Classes
Puppy Club
Our new and revamped Puppy Club offers an even mix of training and socialization. This class will help prepare your puppy for a life full of fun, adventure and new experiences. Learn to teach your dog some basic training skills, body and medical handling, management around distractions, play skills and more!
Requirements: Puppy Club is for puppies ages 10 weeks to 20 weeks with their second set of vaccinations. Puppies must start before the age of 16 weeks to graduate at 20 weeks.
Puppy Club Details:
- Classes are 55 minutes long and run for six consecutive weeks.
- Puppies must have their second set of vaccinations.
- Price for CHS members is $161.50.
- Price for non-members is $190.
Upcoming Sessions:
Smarty Pups
For dogs of all levels, Smarty Pups provides a solid foundation of skills based on positive humane training while building a strong, life-long relationship with your dog. Learn to work with your dog on skills such as gaining attention, recall, handling, walking politely, and self-control. This class is level one of two of our Canine Foundation Classes and must be taken prior to Polite Pooches.
Smarty Pups Details:
- Classes are 55 minutes long and run for six consecutive weeks.
- Dogs must have their second set of vaccinations as a minimum.
- For dogs 16 weeks or older
- Hosted by a skilled trainer with the help of onsite volunteers.
- Price for CHS members is $212.50.
- Price for non-members is $250.
Upcoming Sessions:
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- Wednesday, July 17 at 5:45pm – Register here!
- Thursday, July 18th at 8:15pm – Register here!
- Saturday, July 20th at 1:00pm – Register here!
- Wednesday, July 24th at 7:00pm – Register here!
- Sunday, July 28th at 3:45pm – Register here!
- Thursday, August 1st at 5:45pm – Register here!
- Wednesday, August 7th at 8:15pm – Register here!
- Thursday, August 15th at 7:00pm – Register here!
- Sunday, August 18th at 1:15pm – Register here!
- Wednesday, August 28th at 5:45pm – Register here!
Polite Pooches Foundation Class
In this course, we focus on advancing your dog’s obedience skills, particularly in environments with various distractions. Our goal is to shape your dog into a well-behaved canine citizen, capable of maintaining composure and good manners in diverse situations. Through positive reinforcement techniques and practical exercises, we’ll work on enhancing your dog’s ability to follow commands, stay focused, and behave politely in public settings. Join us to take the next step in your dog’s training journey and enjoy the benefits of a truly polite pooch!
Polite Pooches Details:
- Classes are 55 minutes long and run for six consecutive weeks.
- Dogs must be:
- Older than 16 weeks
- Up-to-date on vaccinations
- People and dog friendly
- Have taken Smarty Pups or another equivalent positive reinforcement based class
- Price for CHS members is $212.50.
- Price for non-members is $250.
Upcoming Sessions:
- Thursday, August 29th at 8:15pm – Register here!
- More classes opened soon!
Training Classes
Specialized Training Classes
Scent Hounds
This class introduces participants to the remarkable olfactory abilities of dogs, offering both humans and their canine companions a foundation in scent-based enrichment and training. Over three weeks, the course covers various scent games and activities, such as snuffle mats, treat searches, and cup games, providing stimulating mental and physical exercise for dogs. This program is ideal for older dogs, high-arousal dogs, and nervous dogs, promoting movement, mental engagement, and confidence-building.
Scent Hounds Details:
- Dog must be fully vaccinated and over six months of age.
- Handlers must be over the age of 18.
- Classes are 50 minutes long and run for 3 weeks.
- Price for CHS members is $106.25
- Price for non-members is $125
Upcoming Sessions:
Reactive Rover
The Reactive Rover class is run in a controlled environment tailored to dogs who display on-leash reactivity by barking, growling or lunging towards other dogs. Classes are taught using evidence-based, force free methods aimed at keeping dogs under threshold. Techniques learned in this class can also be transferred to other triggers like bikes, joggers or critters.
This class is not tailored towards human-directed reactivity or aggression.
Reactive Rover Details:
- Dog must be fully vaccinated and over six months of age.
- Handlers must be over the age of 18.
- Classes are 50 minutes long and run for 7 weeks.
- First class is a dog-free orientation for handlers only.
- Price for CHS members is $403.75.
- Price for non-members is $475.
Upcoming Sessions:
Fearful Fido
Fearful Fido is for dogs that cower, choose flight and shows signs of fear with people, new environments, new things, and with other dogs, in this class handlers learn to build confidence in shy or fearful dogs using counter conditioning techniques and begin associating fearful environments and interactions with positive things.
Fearful Fido Details:
- Dog must be fully vaccinated, over five months of age and dogs must not be reactive (i.e., if your dog barks at people or other dogs, he is reactive)
- Handlers must be over the age of 18.
- Classes are 50 minutes long and run for six weeks.
- First class is a dog-free orientation for handlers only.
- Price for CHS members is $267.75.
- Price for non-members is $315.
Upcoming Sessions:
- Please email behaviour.help@calgaryhumane.ca for more information
Terms and Conditions
1. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. There are no make-up classes and no pro-rated fees of missed classes. If the cancellation is COVID-19 related with you not being able to attend class for health reasons you are able to join a future class within a year.
2. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Your space will only be reserved once payment is received, and you are notified with a confirmation email.
3. Classes are subject to minimum enrollment and may be cancelled or rescheduled if the minimum number of students is not met. In such a case, the student may be transferred to a different session.
4. Classes are not held on statutory holidays. Calgary Humane Society occasionally hosts special events that may require your class to be differed by a week. We will provide each student with a schedule of classes on the first lesson, which will include any postponed classes.
5. If a student elects to miss a class, that class cannot be made up at a different time. Students may not transfer to a different session once their session has begun.
6. From time to time, Calgary Humane Society may reschedule classes due to instructor availability, severe weather, or very dangerous road conditions. In such a case, students will be advised by e-mail and telephone. A make-up class will be rescheduled.
7. If a dog is found to be reactive or fearful (e.g., barking, lunging, growling, cowering, etc.) to the point of disruption, instructors will make every effort to alter the lesson or the classroom to help the dog remain calm. In the event this cannot be done, the student may be asked to discontinue coming to that class. Calgary Humane Society will work with the student to provide suitable training to meet the specific needs of the student and the dog.