Houston SPCA Training Classes

The Houston SPCA offers classes for pets and their owners. Class registration is open to any dog including animals that are not adopted from the Houston SPCA.  All classes are held weekly and run for six weeks unless otherwise noted. 

You can find a complete calendar of all the behavior training classes at the bottom of this page.  Please click on the class you are interested in on the calendar for detailed information on times and trainers.  

Good Start Class

Getting a new dog or puppy is exciting and fun it’s also the beginning of a long relationship!  Did you know that the top reasons for dogs being returned are not getting along with other pets or being ‘destructive’?  Both of these issues are typically easily resolved, especially if you get off to a good start with your new dog.  When you adopt a dog from the Houston SPCA you get a new companion and a supportive team to help ensure a smooth transition for everyone!  Our Good Start class is designed to address all the questions that come up with a new dog, sometimes questions you didn’t even know you had.  We’re there to talk about how dogs learn, how to best raise them and discipline them, how to handle issues when they first come up and how to build a relationship that will make you and your canine companion happy for years to come.

The Good Start class is a quick and convenient introduction to dog behavior and training.  As part of the adoption fee, you are automatically enrolled in a Good Start class.  In other words- the class is FREE. 

Want to come to Good Start but you have a non-HSPCA dog?  Come on down!  Registration is $20 for non-HSPCA dogs and we require pre-registration.  Click here to sign up now!

Best of all, you choose when you want to come.  No need to pre-register, just show up within the first 30 days of adopting your new dog!  Here’s what we cover…

(No dogs allowed in this class just you and your family!)

The Right Equipment
House Training
Nutrition and Feeding Schedules
Grooming and health care
Correcting Unwanted Behavior
Exercise and Enrichment
Developmental Stages
Chewing, Digging, etc.
Meeting the Other Pets in the House
How to motivate and train
General Q&A

Graduates of the Good Start program are eligible to register for a complete six week basic obedience class at a $30 discount.  This discount is valid on the day of graduation only. Please bring proof of HSPCA adoption to class.

Basic Training Level One:
Learn the basics of training with your canine companion.  Whether a newly adopted dog or a one you’ve had for years, this class is a great primer on how to train and learn sit, down, come, loose leash walking and many other fun (and necessary) skills! 
This class takes place over a six week period (See the calendar at the bottom of this page for exact dates/times).  The fee is $85 for Houston SPCA adoptees, $100 for others.
 
Click here for Basic Training Level One registration. 

Canine Good Citizen Prep Class:
A fun and goal oriented class directed towards attaining the CGC certification for your dog.  This is helpful for homeowner’s insurance and a great way to celebrate your dog’s accomplishments!  Class focuses on the polite greetings, basic obedience commands and loose leash walking.  Graduation is the actual CGC test.  Basic Training Level One is a pre-requisite.
This class takes place over a six week period (See the calendar at the bottom of this page for exact dates/times).  The fee is $85 for Houston SPCA adoptees, $100 for others.

Click here for Canine Good Citizen Prep Class registration.

Focus Class:

Being able to get and keep your dog's attention is the #1 tool in your kit for training your canine companion! This three-week class includes instructions and exercises to help you gain those skills so you can strengthen that bond between you and your dog. It can be either a "starter" or a "review" course for you. Houston SPCA adopters: $40. Others: $50.

Click here for Focus Class registration.

Walking nicely on a leash is one of the most challenging behaviors to teach a dog!   This short course will give you a set of techniques to use to get your dog to walk with you without pulling on the leash despite ever-increasing distractions and temptations.  Participants should have completed the Basic Training Level 1 class or it's equivilant.  (See the calendar at the bottom of this page for exact dates/times)

Click here for Loose Leash Walking Class registration.

Please visit our Behavior Page for downloadable Animal Behavior information.

 

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