The Puppy Connection | Good Dog Academy | Advanced Training | Agility Club | Private Consultations and Lessons
Behavioral Services Overview
In an effort to uphold and promote the mission of the DRHS, we believe that a proper relationship between each pet and its owner is one of the most important aspects of pet ownership. In this regard, opening a line of communication between a dog and its handler by emphasizing the impact of positive interaction is crucial. To meet this goal, the DRHS provides a range of services that cover a variety of training and consultation needs. Services currently offered one-on-one behavior consults, training classes for dogs and puppies, and agility club. For more information, call the shelter at 563-582-6766, or send an email to trainer@dbqhumane.org.
Lead trainer Peter Murphy has a professional certification from the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers, Columbus, Ohio. He has achieved his evaluator status for Canine Good Citizen certification, and training demonstration dog Jeb is also CGC certified.
Choosing Your Consultant, Dog Professional or Trainer
Dog owners are confronted with a wide variety of training services, techniques and advice. Selecting amongst these choices can be overwhelming. At the DRHS, we recommend professionals who meet the following criteria:
- Are accredited by a national or international organization that emphasizes adherence to a professional code of ethics
- Emphasize a non-judgmental, non-exploitive and confidential relationship with each client
- Offer only those services in which the professional is competent with referral to other professionals as necessary
- Minimize the use of aversive techniques and maximize the use of positive reinforcement
- Encourage pre-enrollment observation of training classes
- Exhibit an understanding of human and canine behavior with an emphasis on optimizing the learning experience for both dogs and humans.
- Focus on building a strong, healthy, and mutually respectful relationship as the foundation for all training
Lead trainer Peter Murphy has a professional certification from the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers, Columbus, Ohio. He also has his Canine Good Citizen certification.
Training Classes
We offer training classes built to suit your lifestyle and pace. We understand that dogs learn at different paces and some dogs may take longer to get the hang of something than other dogs. As such, we provide a lot of individual attention in class to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be. We focus on your individual needs and preferences for training, and our trainers are well-versed in the proper ways to use a variety of training tools for teaching your dog everyday commands and manners. Our philosophy is that the goal is for all training tools to eventually be taken off and no longer needed. This is reflected in the way in which we teach the use of these training aids.
All of our classes require proof of current vaccinations, including a bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine as well as distemper and rabies (for puppies and dogs over 3 months of age). Dogs must have no history of serious injury to another dog or person. If you think your dog may have an aggression issue, please talk to a trainer before enrolling in class.
All family members involved in training the dog are welcome to class. Please supervise your children and allow only one person at a time training. Please do not bring your dog in on a flexi lead or retractable leash; nylon or leather leashes are very welcome.
The Puppy Connection– for puppies 8 weeks to 5 months
Our three-session puppy socialization class is designed to give your puppy the tools he/she needs to grow into a well-behaved member of the family. We introduce the puppy to new people, situations, and objects, discuss and offer solutions for problem behaviors, offer supervised socialization opportunities, show you how to motivate your puppy to want to learn, and much more! Some of the most common problem behaviors we address are puppy play-biting, housebreaking troubles, inappropriate chewing, jumping up on visitors, and many more building blocks for good manners. Class size is limited to four puppies so that everyone gets lots of one-on-one attention. These classes offer rolling enrollment, so please call the shelter to attend the next session! Sessions are held Saturdays from 1 to 2:30 pm at our Mall location.
Good Dog Academy – for dogs over 5 months
Want to get some control over your dog's behavior, learn to train your dog, and have fun doing it? This is the beginning class for you! We use proven, effective, positive reinforcement-based training techniques that will have you seeing results within a few short weeks!
Good Dog Academy is a six-session basic obedience class that focuses on skills and manners. The behaviors that are taught include: sit, heel, stay, lay down, proper greetings (not jumping on people), come, wait and leave it. Dogs four months and older are welcome. Pre-registration required. Class is limited to six dogs.
Class Length: 6 sessions (see current class dates below)
Class Time: All classes run from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
Cost: $80 for 6 sessions ($65 for dogs adopted from the DRHS).Current Class Schedule for Good Dog Academy
Advanced Course – for dogs over 9 months of age
Is your dog simply not listening to your instructions? Do you feel like he’s running the show? Do you have trouble getting him to listen or motivating him to obey? Are his manners only evident if you have a treat in your hand? Our advanced training course may be an option for you!
This AKC-type obedience course is based in a balanced approach that is meant to get you back into the driver’s seat of your life. We will show you how to enforce rules and boundaries and how to motivate your dog to follow instructions without being dependent on treats. This class is limited to 4 dogs per class, and requires a phone consultation with one of our trainers before enrolling.
Current Class Schedule for Advanced Course
MONDAYS: 10/27 - 12/1 (5:30 to 6:30 PM)
Agility Club
Want to introduce your dog to basic agility? We’ve got a nice selection of agility equipment and you are welcome to use it every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Cost is $5.00 per session. You must present proof of current vaccinations (Distemper, Rabies and Bordatella). Dogs must also have a clean history of no dog bites.
Quotes from Previous Class Participants
"I couldn't get over how fast the dogs picked up on a command. I am very glad I took this class. It was wonderful."
"Seeing the progress in just six weeks was amazing."
"I would recommend this class to anyone who needs obedience training"
"What I enjoyed most about this class was the way my dog and I were treated."
"This class has made us appreciate what a dog 'really is'."
Private Consultations
Are you having troubles that may not be solvable in a class situation? Do classes just not fit very well in your life? You are more than welcome to call the shelter and talk to Pete about a private consult. The first consultation is free, and Pete will lay out a plan of action with you to fix your specific problem. After that, if you choose to go with that plan, he can take you through step by step for $60 per consultation.
Private Lessons
Would you like to train your dog on a one on one basis? Have you been turned down for obedience classes because of your dog’s behavior problems? Are you dealing with aggression in your dog? Call the shelter to sign up for Private Lessons with Pete. Whether you’re interested in competing in obedience or trying out scent detection or anything else. Lessons are done at your pace on a one on one basis. Pete will give you a homework plan to work on that should take you a couple weeks, and once you’re done with that, you can call back for your next lesson. Lessons are $60 each.