Canine Training

Train, socialize and bond with your dog at AWS.

Home | Canine Training

Classes & Programs

Led by an experienced team of certified professional dog trainers, AWS’ Canine Training program offers a variety of exciting and progressive group classes, individualized consultations, programs and social hours.

Whether your puppy is just starting out on their training journey or your adult dog is ready to try more intermediate skills, we have a class for you! If you want some time to socialize your pup, or you’d like a private lesson on a particular behavior or topic, we’re here to help. Most importantly, we welcome pups of all ages, breeds and abilities to participate in our Canine Training program. We have something for everyone!

Thank you for training with AWS!

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Join the Reindeer Games, holiday-themed training classes to keep your pup on Santa’s nice list this holiday season.

Whether your dog is the littlest elf in Santa’s workshop or if they have been pulling the sleigh for years, we have a class for you! Join us for holiday fun this December, only at AWS!

Click on the class titles for more information and to register. Reindeer Games classes sell out fast so don’t delay getting you and your pup signed up!

The Circus is Back in Town

This tail-wagging class comes only once a year!

Join us under the big top for Circus Dog where you and your pup will work together to learn new tricks and skills meant to dazzle and entertain!

Perform our special versions of walking the tightrope, jumping through hoops of fire, and sometimes just plain clowning around. Your ring leader will prepare you through 5 weeks of training for the big show held on week 6. You’ll be amazed at the feats your dog can do!

Canine Training Tips & Tricks Blog

Looking for canine training advice? You’ve come to the right place! The AWS Canine Training Team has made a series of videos and blog posts on a variety of training topics, all related to your dog’s behavior and training. Learn tips to train your dog at home, get ideas on curbing unwanted behaviors, and watch videos on fun “party tricks” you and your dog can use to impress all your friends!

Meet Our Certified Trainers

Training Resources

Dog to Dog Introductions

Many dogs enjoy having a canine friend at home. However, bringing a new dog into your home to meet your resident dogs can be a tense time. Use the following guide for initial introductions to your dogs, and any new friends’ and family members’ dogs your dogs will be spending time with.
Learn More Dog to Dog Introductions

Dogs & Babies

Introducing a dog to a baby can be a difficult task when you are already tired and emotionally drained. The key is preparation. You need to decide well ahead of time how your dog’s routines will change—one of the biggest concerns will be who will be in charge of what tasks, including exercise. Babies and dogs can and do live in harmony, but it takes some training.
Learn More Dogs & Babies

How to Curb Puppy Biting & Chewing

One of the best things about puppies is how curious they are. We love watching them encountering new situations each day and helping them navigate through them. However, the downside is that puppies explore the world through their mouths! This can lead to some less than desirable bites to your hands, clothes, and household items. While we do not want to discourage a puppy’s inclination to try new things, we do want to let them know the best way to go about it. Let’s explore ways to help our puppies use their mouths appropriately and encourage time to settle.
Learn More How to Curb Puppy Biting & Chewing

Online Dog Training

Train your dog at home over video chat. GoodPup uses positive reinforcement training and even has Veterinary Technicians on staff. You can work with a certified trainer on basic skills or with a behavior specialist for more complex issues. Free first week and then 10% off for life!
Learn More Online Dog Training

Puppy Socialization Tips

Socialization is the process of exposing your puppy gently and positively to new experiences, as well as learning to give and take social cues from dogs and people. Socialization is so much more than just exposure or having your puppy play with other puppies! We want to socialize our puppies to new sights, smells, sounds, terrain, people, dogs, cats, squirrels, weather, body handling, and coping with stress.
Learn More Puppy Socialization Tips

Stay in Touch

Join one of our specialized canine training mailing list. Content just for you and your dog will be sent directly to your inbox.

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Class you want full? Don’t see your preferred class listed? Schedule not working out? Sign up to be put on a special mailing list to be notified every time we add new classes to our schedule.

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Ready for the cutest creativity event of the season?!

AWS’ Youth Programs Coordinator, Miss Amanda, as well as professional artist, Piper Castles, from River Tree Arts will be hosting a fun and interactive drawing workshop here at the Boston House at AWS! Designed for students in Grades 6+, children will learn and practice drawing skills of springtime animals while also being able to interact with them! What’s better than drawing alongside some adorable, hoppy bunnies?!

Join the event on Saturday, April 6 from 9 am- Noon. Registration is through River Tree Arts, but you can access the registration form on our website! 50% of all proceeds will be donated directly to AWS. We can’t wait to see your little artists there!
St. Patrick's Day may be over, but we can't miss the opportunity to share this sweet Happy Homes story of a dog previously named Shamrock. Adopted from us years ago, his human sister wrote in to tell us how happy she is with her best friend, now named Coda. We'd definitely say he's one lucky little shamrock alright! 

"Coda is just the most amazing dog ever! He is so humorous and adventurous and I could not think of another reason that I would ever wake up early and walk in below freezing temperatures. But he inspires me to take that nightly stroll! He is so fluffy and loves being snuggled and going to his occasional ice cream stops. I got him when he was just a puppy and I was only in 2nd grade. Now I am 17 and we sure have grown up together. I love him!" 🍀

We love Happy Homes stories like these! Share your own with us by writing in online or posting below!
𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮, 𝗔𝗪𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟰. While our friends at @klpdnews work hard to get the electricity up and running, our aptly named bunny Snowball wants everyone to know that AWS' staff, volunteers and resident pets are doing just fine. 🤍
Happy National Puppy Day! One of the best ways to celebrate your furry friend is to learn how to keep them healthy and safe. And since March also happens to be Flea and Tick Prevention Month, now is the perfect time to review where those pesky parasites could be hiding. Ticks like to attach where they can't easily be removed by the host! 

Making sure your pets are up to date on their flea, tick, and parasite medications is the best way to keep them safe from unwanted guests. Even in the winter months, pets should be on preventatives. Happy spring to you and your pup!