Dog Training

The League offers a range of positive reinforcement dog training classes—everything from basic manners to agility skills—for all dogs. Each 6-week-long course tuition is deliberately kept affordable at $150 to encourage people to train their dogs using the most modern, humane, and effective methods. Our trainers are also dedicated to our adoptable dogs and work with them on basic obedience—some of the dogs have been AKC CGC certified! All of our dog training classes are taught by the League’s CPDT-certified trainers, and the maximum class size is 7-8, meaning you and your dog will get professional, individual attention throughout each course.

Click here to view a PDF of our dog training flyer- feel free to print it out and share with your friends!

Our Behavior & Training department has implemented a Helpline, so if you need help with your animal and would like to speak to one of our behavior and training specialists, call 202-604-3356. If you would prefer to email our Helpline, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The Helpline is restricted to residents of the metropolitan DC area only, please.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training!

Register online here!
Click here to see our upcoming classes.

You can also print and complete the paper registration form and return it to us.
Once we receive your registration form, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us as soon as possible as our classes tend to fill rapidly. If you have any questions, please contact the Training and Behavior Department at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 202-726-2556 ext. 236.

Class Descriptions

Basic Manners
There are no prerequisites for this class. By the end of Basic Manners, you’ll have a dog who listens to you and focuses on you. Dogs will be taught foundation skills such as: attention, sit, down, come, and leave it. This is our most popular class and is a prerequisite for all of our other classes. Please register early so we can reserve a spot for you and your dog. The class is for non-aggressive dogs over 16 weeks old, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations. $150 for the six one-hour classes.

Shy Dog
There are no prerequisites for this class. This class is designed specifically for shy or fearful dogs. Gentle methods as well as a slower pace will help boost your dog’s confidence and make your dog more outgoing, even in everyday situations. This class will provide some of the ongoing socialization necessary to rehabilitate a shy dog. Shy dog class is great for dogs rescued from abusive situations such as puppy mills and for dogs who are fearful in general. This class is for non-aggressive dogs over 16 weeks old, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations. $150 for six one-hour classes.

Puppy Kindergarten
Give your puppy the best head start possible by signing up for Puppy Kindergarten!  This class is an off-leash socialization class for puppies between 10 weeks and 14 weeks old at their class start date. Puppy Kindergarten is crucial for all puppies, it will give them the skills they need to be a well behaved adult dog with a solid temperament.  This class is also the perfect tool to help teach your puppy bite inhibition.  Common puppy topics such as housetraining, chewing, and jumping up will be discussed.  Puppy K classes run on a continuous enrollment schedule, so you can register and begin your four-week class any Wednesday at 6:30pm or Saturday at 11:45am. You must provide proof of at least 2 distemper and bortedella vaccinations before the class start date. $100 for four one-hour classes. ($50 for adopters of League puppies 10-14 weeks old.)

Canine Good Citizen
This class will prepare you to pass the Canine Good Citizen Exam.  The Canine Good Citizen Certification demonstrates your dog’s sound temperament and basic obedience skills. It is also a great starting point for service and therapy dog work. At the end of this six week course, the Canine Good Citizen Exam will be given by a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Dogs who pass will receive their Canine Good Citizen Certifications from the AKC. Basic Manners is a pre-requisite for this course.  This class is for non-aggressive dogs 16 weeks and older, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations. $150 for six one-hour classes.

Reactive Dog Class I – Foundation
This class is for dogs who bark, growl, lunge, and snap at other dogs on leash.  Our Reactive Dog Class I-Foundation class can also help some cases of dogs who growl and bark at people. Let’s teach your dog the correct way to deal with other dogs on leash!  This class is a prerequisite for the Reactive Dog Class II – On-Leash Skills class. This class is for dogs over 16 weeks old, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations.  $200 for eight one-hour classes. ($100 for dogs re-taking the class.) Price includes a clicker and treat pouch. First class is 90 minutes with no dogs. This is one of our most popular classes and fills up quickly; early registration advised.

Reactive Dog Class II – On-Leash Skills
This class is for dogs who have already completed the Reactive Dog Class I-Foundation class.  It is designed to focus on the ongoing, structured socialization necessary to rehabilitate your reactive dog. Reactive Dog Class II also spends more time on passing by, working around, and greeting other dogs on leash. The class is for dogs over 16 weeks old, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations. $150 for six one-hour classes. ($100 for dogs re-taking the class.)

Reactive Dog Class III – Off-Leash Play
This class is for dogs who have already completed the Reactive Dog Class II class. This class is for dogs over 16 weeks old, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations. $150 for six one-hour classes. ($100 for dogs re-taking the class.)

Agility for Fun!
This class offers a chance for owners and dogs to have fun together. We teach dogs to use basic agility equipment and to focus more on their owners. This is a class for graduates of our Basic Manners class.

Kids and Dogs
This is a family-friendly class that teachs participants (including kids aged 6 and over) how to train their dogs. It uses clicker training, and students need to purchase clickers before class.

Workshop - Recall
This class teaches you the skills you need to get your dog to come to you every single time, even with distractions. Our 2-hour workshop involves hands-on work with your dog and several different techniques to ensure obedience. For dog-friendly dogs only. $30 per dog/handler team.

Bully Class
This will be an off-site class specifically designed for pit bulls and other ‘bully’ breeds. We will work with you and your dog on manners, tricks, socialization, behavior, and more. The class is for non-aggressive dogs over 12 weeks old who have successfully completed our Canine Games class, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations.  $150 for six one-hour classes.

Tricks
Tricks will teach you and your dog just that: tricks! Of course, we will cover sit, down, stay, but also fun tricks such as high five, roll over, and more! The class is for non-aggressive dogs over 12 weeks old who have successfully completed our Canine Games class, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations.  $150 for six one-hour classes.

Intermediate
Take your training to the next level! Work on faster responses as well as more complex obedience such as distance stays, retrieves, and heel work. This is the perfect class for smart dogs who enjoy working and need to stay mentally stimulated.  For dogs over 16 weeks old, and you must provide proof of current vaccinations. $150 for six one-hour classes.

We are now offering private training sessions. The sessions last for one hour with one of the League’s Certified Professional Dog Trainers, and they are specifically designed to address exactly what is most important to you. Private sessions can easily cover what is taught in a 6-week class in just 2 or 3 sessions. Our trainers can also help you modify your dog’s behavior issues,including reactivity, resource guarding, separation anxiety, leash pulling, barking, jumping, and more! Cost is $100/1-hour session or $350 for 4 1-hour sessions. Click here for a private training registration form.

If you have any questions about any of the training classes we offer at the League, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 202-726-2556 ext. 236. 
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The League offers special discounts on dog training classes for active-duty military, local police officers, and local fire department personnel.  They receive a 10 percent discount on the classes (making them $135 for six sessions instead of $150).

The Medical Center’s low-income clients can enroll in classes for $100.
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For additional sites about training, please visit this page.

If you would like to use a positive reinforcement trainer that the League recommends, please refer to our list here.

The registration form can be accessed here.