Austin Group Dog Training

NOTE: This page is updated quite frequently. Check back to find out about new classes and to see when the next round of classes begins, or give us a call and we'll add your name to our wait list. Class policies are listed below the class schedule.

 

 

Totally Puppy! Rotation

Join DogBoy’s Puppy class as soon as you get your new puppy. You can start any Saturday and attend the next four consecutive Saturdays to cover all the topics, but please remember to sign up before your first class!

Our five week rotating class helps get puppies and owners off to the right start. Class covers how to best communicate with your puppy, gets you started on basic obedience and tackles common puppy issues. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your pup to socialize with other dogs & people.

For puppies 8 to 20 weeks of age, puppies need to be 16 weeks or younger when they start class.

Watch the Video!

Meets every Saturday
Time:  11 a.m. 
Cost: $125 for 5 consecutive weeks
** After five classes, if you'd like to continue, it's only $20/class.
Trainers: Rebecca Andrews, CPDT-KA; Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA; and Marcella Slaughter, CPDT-KA

Exposing our puppies to the world without all their vaccinations is always a concern, but we feel that the benefits of socializing our healthy puppies in a safe environment far outweigh the risks. Please read the following links to learn more:

http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/puppy%20socialization.pdf

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/animalbehavior/forms/pc_letter_vacc.pdf

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Beginner Classes

Foundations Class 

We also like to call this course Behavior 101 since owners gain a firm understanding of why our dogs do certain things as well as how our behaviors influence our dogs' behaviors. We also incorporate basic obedience in a fun, conversational way. This is a great class for those who want to grow closer to their dog and learn how she thinks. This class is designed for dogs five months or older. Classes tend to last about 60-70 minutes.
Class size is 4 to 6 dogs.

Also see our Shy Dog and Special Foundations Classes listed below.

      
 
Starts: Friday, February 10, 2012 -- sorry, this class is full
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 11 a.m.
Cost: $215
Trainer: Rebecca Andrews, CPDT-KA

Starts: Saturday, February 25, 2012 -- sorry, this class is full
Duration: 8 weeks (no class April 7th)
Time: 1 p.m.
Cost: $215
Trainer: Jeanie Beckham and Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Starts: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Duration: 8 weeks (no class April 7th)
Time: 9 a.m.
Cost: $215
Trainer: Lydia Yancey and Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Starts: Thursday, April 5, 2012
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $215
Trainer: Alice Akridge and Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Special Interest Foundations Classes
These special interest classes combine our Foundations class with other areas of focus such as Agility, Social Skills, or a Leash Walking/Recall emphasis.  It's like getting two classes in one!

 

Foundations: Leash Walking/Recall 

This 90 minute class covers the Foundations Class with a strong emphasis on perfecting our leash walking skills and having our dogs come to us when called. This class meets both inside and outside.

Starts: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 -- sorry, this class is full
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $275
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Starts: Sunday, February 26, 2012 -- sorry, this class is full
Duration: 8 weeks (no class April 8th)
Time: 5 p.m.
Cost: $275
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Starts: Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $275
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

 

Foundations: Social Skills

This 90 minute class covers the Foundations curriculum along with the 10 items from the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. In the last class, you'll have the opportunity to take the CGC test with your pup.

Starts: Monday, March 19, 2012 -- sorry, this class is full
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $275
Trainer: Marcella Slaughter, CPDT-KA

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Body Language Seminar: What is my dog saying?

In this three part seminar, we explore what dogs are trying to tell us and other dogs through their body language.  Dogs are masters at communicating with their bodies -- sometimes very subtly, sometimes very overtly – we just need to be watching and understanding what they are saying.  This seminar will help you read body language and understand your dog better.

Starts: Monday, February 27, 2012
Duration: 3 weeks
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $75
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

 

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Advanced Classes 

Once you've graduated from Foundations Class, our advanced classes will help you keep the success going and challenge you and your dog in new directions.

 

Refresh Your Skills Rotation

This monthly class offers you chance to practice your training chops, learn some new skills, and have fun with your dog! This class is open to our Foundations class graduates.

Meets: First Sunday of each month (Febuary 5th; March 4th; April 1st; May 6th)
Time:  11 a.m. 
Cost: $25/class
Trainers: Rebecca Andrews, CPDT-KA; Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA; and Marcella Slaughter, CPDT-KA

 

Agility

Agility is a great way for you and your dog to do something together in a controlled manner, all while having a terrific time! You'll have a hands-on chance to train your dog through beginning agility obstacles, basic commands and the use of body language.  Our agility classes are behaviorally based and are for those who want to have fun with their dog. This class is offered to those who have graduated from our Foundations Class.         
                                                       
 Starts: Thursday, March 22, 2012
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $150
Trainer: Rebecca Andrews, CPDT-KA

Agility Rotation 

For those wanting to continue on with the skills learned in Agility, these sessions cover different material each time such as front and rear crosses, body language and targeting.  You will polish your agility skills with a fun course to run each week as well. You may attend as many classes as you like, but you must register in advance for each session you plan on attending.  For more information about what skill is covered each week, contact Rebecca at rebecca@dogboys.com.

     
Starts: Thursday, January 19, 2012
Ends: Thursday, February 23, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: $25/class
  

Starts: Thursday, March 22, 2012
Ends: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: $25/class

I'm interested in classes!

Click to Learn

You will have a blast in this class learning just how smart your dog really is!  Using only clickers, we will get our dogs perform amazing things like push and pull objects, play soccer, bowl, be able to distinguish between multiple toys, and ring a bell – the possibilities are endless at what your dog will be able to do.  You will also be able to use the skills and techniques you learn in class and apply them in your everyday life with your dog.  This fun class is offered to graduates of our Foundations Class.

Starts: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Duration: 6 weeks (no class April 7th)
Time: 3 p.m.
Cost: $150
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Out & About

Show off all those great skills you and your know in our Out & About class!  This class takes place all over the Austin area at restaurants, parks and stores.  We will focus on good manners in the car, on the trail as well as in public places.  So, let's get Out & About and show everyone how great our dogs are! Offered to those who have graduated Foundations Class and one other training class at DogBoy's.

  
Starts: Sunday, March 11, 2012
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 1 p.m.
Cost: $200
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Rally Obedience 

In this fun class you and your dog will work as a team, loose-leash walking with your dog on your left side, through a course of specific skills: sits, downs, stands, stays and turns.  You will also learn how to use your body language to communicate to your dog.  This class covers the signs you encounter in Rally events and we also practice courses.  Whether or not you plan to compete in Rally, watch your dog's loose-leash, obedience and attention skills skyrocket while having a lot of fun! Classes will meet both inside and outside depending on the weather and tend to last about 90 minutes.

 
Starts: Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $150
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

Rally Coursework

For those wanting to continue the progress you and your dog achieved in Rally Obedience, our coursework classes are a great way to keep up with those fabulous skills.  In this class we will refine our skills while practicing fun and challenging courses each week.  This class will meet both inside and outside depending on the weather.   


Starts: Monday, March 26, 2012 -- sorry, this class is full
Duration: 6 classes
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $150/class
Trainer: Paula Baker Prince, CPDT-KA

 I'm interested in classes!

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Please contact us at 512-251-7600 option 2 or training@dogboys.com if you'd like to be contacted when the below classes are scheduled:

 

Family Dynamics: Kids & Dogs 

This class is designed for families with kids ages 6-12 and their dog-friendly dogs.  Our families learn basic obedience skills (sit, down, stay, wait, leave-it/drop it, polite leash walking and coming when called), helpful tips to manage a busy household, and how to have our dogs respond to all family members. Not only with your children learn how to train and respect the family dog, they will also end up building a great relationshipwith him. Dogs in this class should be 6 months or older.

Duration: 3 weeks
Cost: $75

Foundations: Agility 

This 90 minute class covers all the behaviors of the Foundations Class plus introduces you to the beginning Agility obstacles. This class meets both inside and outside.

Duration: 8 weeks
Cost: $275
 

Distance Skills

This class is for those who have passed our Foundations Class. This fun and fast-paced class focuses on having our dogs pay attention to us at a distance, more advanced leash walking skills as well as taking obedience to the next level. You will learn a lot of new skills with your dog. Class size is 4 to 6 dogs.

Duration: 4 weeks
Cost: $100

Leash Reactivity Class 

It's hard to walk a dog on-leash who is reactive to other dogs or people.  This intensive class will help give you the tools needed to make leash walking fun again and less stressful for both you and your dog.  This class includes two private, one-on-one lessons with the trainer prior to the first class.  The remaining classes will meet at DogBoy's as well as a local park.

Duration: 4 classes + 2 private lessons
Cost: $350 (includes the 2 private lessons)  

Social Skills: Canine Good Citizen

This class expands and strengthens all the great skills our dogs learned in Foundations Class. We work specifically on the ten American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test items, including loose leash walking past other dogs, appropriate greetings with friendly people, and the ability to confidently handle the sounds and movements that are common in daily life. And in the last class, we evaluate our progress with the CGC test. This class will give you the tools and skills to handle your dog in public

Duration: 4 weeks
Cost: $100
 

Wallflower Dogs

This class is designed for our true shy dogs who need a little extra help being introduced to people, places and things. This is a great precursor to our Foundations Class. Also included is a day of Chelsea's Charm School in which your dog will have time to work one-on-one with a DogBoy's trainer to continue broadening her socialization skills and confidence. This class is not for reactive dogs - if your dog is reactive, please inquire about our Leash Reactivity class. 

Duration: 8 weeks
Cost: $250

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Which Class is Right for You?

Have you taken a class somewhere else and not sure which class may be best for you? We recommend you start with Foundations Class. Our Foundations Class, taught by Certified Professional Dog Trainers, is behavioral-based and the starting point for our other classes. Our positive, relationship-building approach -- which includes guidance about setting up households, information about diet and insight into how our behavior affects our dogs' behavior --is fundamental to getting the most out of our advanced classes.

If you have taken classes elsewhere you'll have a head start in our Foundations Class, but it will still be challenging and rewarding for both you and your dog.  It's a great chance to polish your obedience skills before moving on to Social Skills, Distance Skills, Rally Obedience or any other class.

Below are client comments about our Foundations Class:

"[I] was given tips and instructions personalized to me and my particular dog"

"Our goals were beyond met"

"[My dog] is a much better dog today than she was three weeks ago"

"[Our trainer] provided a customized approach based on each dog's strengths and circumstances"

"We had a blast!"

"I went in with the goal of improving my relationship with my dog and it exceeded my expectations"

Taking a basic obedience class somewhere else does not exempt you from taking Foundations Class with us. Come join a Foundations Class and see what sets us apart!

Contact our office for more information at 251-7600 option 2 or training@dogboys.com. Because we keep our classes small, you are guaranteed more individual attention and instruction from our trainers. Classes fill up quickly so sign up as soon as you can.

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Class Policies

Payment
Payment in full is due when you sign up for a class.

Class Size
Most classes require a minimum of 4 dogs for class to take place. In the event that you are signed up for a class with fewer than the minimum required dogs, class may be delayed or cancelled. If DogBoy's cancels the class, your payment will be refunded.

Cancellation
In the event you need to cancel, your payment is transferable until 72 hours before your first scheduled class. Within 72 hours of class, your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. If DogBoy's cancels a class you will be refunded the entire amount or you may choose to transfer your money to another class or DogBoy's service.

Class Make-up
We understand circumstances happen that cause you to miss a session. We may be able to arrange your attendance in another class or you may schedule a make-up appointment with your trainer for $35. Please note that attendance is mandatory for the first session of Foundations Class and cannot be made up at another time.

Housemates
For Foundations Class, it's been our experience that housemates do better when attending separate classes. For advanced classes, requests for housemates taking classes together will be considered on a case by case basis.

Weather Cancellations
Due to inclement weather we sometimes have to cancel class. If a session is cancelled, trainers will contact you approximately two hours before the class and an additional session will be added the following week.

View our Private Dog Training Classes
View our Dog Wellness Seminars & Workshops

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