Who is the Dog Obedience Class for?

Minding Our Manners is for dogs 16 weeks and older of all ages, breeds, and sizes. There is no off-leash playtime so it is a good fit for dogs who prefer a calmer group setting.

What will my dog learn?

Dogs work on loose-leash walking, polite greetings with people and other dogs, recall, focus around distractions, and settling. All skills are taught using positive reinforcement.

Is this class suitable for reactive dogs?

Dogs who are working through reactivity or aggression are better supported through private training. If you are unsure whether this class is the right fit, please contact us before registering.

How do I register for Dog Obedience Classes?

You can view upcoming dates and register online at https://www.airdriepuppypals.com/calendar.

Minding Our Manners, Dog Obedience Classes

A group class for all dogs of all breeds and sizes who are at least 16 weeks old and have up-to-date rabies vaccinations.

During this group class, we learn and practice on-leash manners like sit, stay, lie down, and walking on a loose leash without pulling. We also practice off-leash recall and listening with distractions.

Since there is no playtime in this group class, dogs do not need to be spayed or neutered to attend. However, they should be comfortable walking up to and near dogs of all sizes without lunging, growling, or showing aggression toward dogs or humans. If you would like support with aggression, please check out our private training options.

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What Is Minding Our Manners?

Happy Border Collie dog sitting indoors on a gray floor, with a pink and black leash coiled next to it, a certificate of achievement in front of it, and a white wall in the background in Minding Our Manners group training class in Airdrie, Alberta

Minding Our Manners is a group class designed around how dogs learn, rather than age or developmental stages like Puppy Class or Jr Puppy Class. This is a no-play class where we focus on building everyday manners, listening skills, and engagement.

Classes are led by Nikki Nordick, one of a small number of trainers in Canada holding multiple certifications, including the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA, with hundreds of continuing education hours in animal behavior and training. Nikki brings that expertise into every class, tailoring lessons to the dogs and families in the room and providing weekly homework to support progress between sessions.

What Will Dogs Learn in Class?

A happy mixed-breed dog with brown, white, and black fur, sitting on a white floor in a room with plain white walls in a group dog training class in Airdrie, Alberta

Dogs learn and practice everyday skills to help with waiting by open doors, walking on a loose leash without pulling, greeting other dogs politely, greeting people without jumping, and coming when called.

Each week builds on the last, gradually increasing the distractions while giving dogs and their families time to practice and apply their skills between sessions. This course is more structured than our Jr Puppy Class, allowing for more focused work on listening, engagement, and impulse control around distractions.

Is Manners Right for My Dog?

A black and white dog sitting on a gray floor in front of a black chair, smiling with its tongue out. The dog has a leash attached to a collar around its neck in a group dog training class in Airdrie, Alberta

Minding Our Manners is our group class for dogs who are at least 16 weeks old and have an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Dogs do not need any prior training to join, and since there is no playtime in this class, they do not need to be spayed or neutered to attend.

Because this is a group class, dogs should be comfortable working close to other dogs and people in an indoor environment without lunging, growling, or showing aggression. If your dog is still working through big feelings around other dogs or people, we'd love to help through private training before joining a group class.

What to Bring To Manners Class

A French Bulldog puppy with a tan coat and black nose is standing indoors on a light gray floor, looking directly at the camera with its tongue slightly out in a group dog training class in Airdrie, Alberta

Please have your dog wear a regular flat collar (not a prong collar or choke chain). We'll talk more about harnesses and other equipment options for walking without pulling during class.

Please bring a fixed-length leash (not the extendable or retractable kind) and a variety of treats your dog will love!

We also use a training clicker throughout this group class. You're welcome to bring your own or purchase one from us.

How many people can join?

You are welcome to have at most two people join each group class (and it doesn’t have to be the same people each class!) At least one of the two people has to be over 18 years of age.

Ready To Get Started?

You can view our up-to-date availability and register for your preferred date and time using the calendar below.