All Ages & Stages

With our open enrollment format, you can begin this six week class on any Saturday that has availability. 

It’s never too late to build better manners. This six-week course is designed specifically for adult dogs and their guardians who want to strengthen communication, improve everyday behaviors, and deepen their partnership through positive reinforcement and marker-reward training.

Using clear marker cues and well-timed rewards, we’ll guide you through teaching your dog real-world skills without boring drills or harsh corrections. Instead of focusing on outdated obedience routines, you’ll build trust, clarity, and focus through practical games and structured practice.

Manners: Foundations for Real Life is for dogs one year or older and their handlers who know a little but not a lot of skills. If you do not know how to effectively use a marker in training (clicker or marker word), you and your dog should start in this class. This class provides a supportive and engaging learning environment that empowers both dog and human to succeed.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver or Michele Almeida

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

Requirements:

• This class is for dogs age one year and older.
• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your dog is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• We ask that you please give your newly acquired dog 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• Your dog must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs. If your dog has a history of barking at dogs on leash, growling or has bitten another dog, please contact us about private training.

Classes

Calling all puppies, teenagers, adults, and distinguished seniors!

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a dog you can confidently take on walks, hikes, camping trips, restaurant patios, family outings, and everyday adventures, the Pet Dog Ambassador (PDA) program can help you get there.

The PDA program is a nationally recognized credentialing system that evaluates real-life skills, manners, and teamwork between dogs and their people. It’s more than obedience—it’s about building the kind of relationship that allows you and your dog to enjoy life together wherever your adventures take you.

Who should participate?

Pet Parents
Want to show off your dog’s great manners and all the hard work you’ve put into training? Earn a Level 1 or Level 2 Pet Dog Ambassador credential and celebrate your team’s success.

Adventure Dogs
Whether your goal is hiking trails, camping trips, outdoor events, or relaxing on a brewery patio, the PDA program helps develop the skills needed for real-world outings.

Future Service Dogs
The PDA program provides an excellent pathway for dogs preparing for public access work. Teams can progress through Levels 1–5 while building the skills needed for increasingly challenging environments.

Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs need exceptional public manners to be welcomed into schools, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, and other community settings. The PDA program helps prepare teams for those important responsibilities.

A Fun Challenge for Training Enthusiasts
Looking for your next training goal? PDA gives you a clear roadmap, measurable milestones, and the satisfaction of earning recognized credentials as you progress.

All dogs over 6 months of age begin at Level 2.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen everyday manners, prepare for future therapy or service work, or simply enjoy a fun challenge with your dog, the Pet Dog Ambassador program is a fantastic way to showcase the bond you’ve built together.

Ready to see what your dog can achieve? Start your journey toward becoming a Pet Dog Ambassador!

Class Instructor: Kim Silver or Michele Almeida

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

You and Your Dog Will Learn:

• Stay or Settle
• Recall
• Wait to Be Fed
• Loose-Leash Walking with Social Interaction
• Leave It
• Entrance Manners
• Car Manners
• Body Handling
• Being Alone
• Emergency Stop

Requirements:

• Prerequisite: Manners Level One, Puppy Kindergarten Level One, an equivalent class taken elsewhere, or instructor approval.
• This class is for dogs age 6 months and older.
• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your dog is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• We ask that you please give your newly acquired dog 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• Your dog must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs. If your dog has a history of barking at dogs on leash, growling or has bitten another dog, please contact us about private training.

Classes

Build confidence. Strengthen communication. Teach skills for everyday life.

Clicker training is a powerful way to build confidence while teaching dogs useful behaviors. In Confidence That Clicks, dogs learn that their choices matter, that trying new things can be rewarding, and that their person is a safe and reliable partner in navigating the world.

Throughout this group class, we’ll use clicker training and positive reinforcement to teach practical foundation behaviors while helping dogs develop focus, problem-solving skills, and confidence.

Dogs and their people will work on:

• Name Recognition & Attention – Teaching your dog to readily orient to you when you say their name, even when the environment is interesting or distracting.
• Eye Contact & Check-Ins – Building voluntary attention and teaching your dog that looking to you for information and guidance pays off.
• Sit & Down – Developing reliable foundation behaviors that can be used in a variety of everyday situations and environments.
• Stay – Gradually building duration, distance, and the ability to remain in position while life happens around your dog.
• Station/Mat Training – Teaching your dog to go to a designated spot and remain there calmly until released.
• Hand Targeting – Teaching your dog to follow and touch your hand, creating a versatile skill for movement, recalls, greetings, and navigating new situations without physically manipulating your dog.
• Recall – Building a happy, enthusiastic response to being called and teaching your dog that coming back to you is highly rewarding.
• Loose-Leash Walking – Teaching your dog to move with you comfortably while gradually introducing real-world distractions.
• Four on the Floor – Reinforcing calm, grounded behavior during greetings and exciting situations rather than jumping.
• Go Sniff – Teaching sniffing on cue as a useful way to redirect attention and give your dog an appropriate activity when something exciting or distracting is happening.
• Excuse Me! – Teaching your dog to comfortably yield space when someone approaches rather than needing to be physically moved.
• Object Exchange – Teaching your dog that willingly giving up an object predicts something good, helping develop cooperative exchanges rather than conflict over possessions.
• Comfortable Handling – Building positive associations with having different parts of the body touched and handled for everyday care and husbandry.
• Responding Even When You’re Distracted – Helping dogs learn that cues and communication still matter when their handler isn’t staring directly at them or giving them undivided attention.

More Than Manners

The goal of Confidence That Clicks isn’t simply to create a dog who follows cues. We want dogs who are comfortable thinking, experimenting, learning, and engaging with their people.

Clicker training gives dogs clear, precise information about what they’re doing successfully. Instead of worrying about making a mistake, dogs learn to offer behavior, explore possibilities, and discover what works. Over time, that learning history can help create a dog who approaches training—and potentially new experiences—with greater confidence.

At the same time, handlers learn how to observe their dogs more carefully, communicate more clearly, reinforce the behaviors they want, and break skills into achievable steps. The result is a dog-human team with a stronger shared language and a toolbox of practical behaviors they can use in everyday life. Confidence grows one click at a time.

FAQ: Is Confidence That Clicks Right for My Dog?

Q: My dog is shy or fearful around new people and situations. Is this class appropriate?
A: Yes! Confidence That Clicks is ideal for dogs who are shy or fearful and need help building confidence in new environments. This class focuses on positive reinforcement techniques to help your dog feel safe and secure, as long as they do not show aggression toward people or other animals. Dogs should be comfortable enough to eat treats in a public setting, as refusing food often indicates high-stress levels. If your dog isn’t able to eat in such environments, a group class may not be the best fit. Please contact us to discuss options. 

Q: Can dogs who bark at people or other dogs join this class?
A: Unfortunately, this class isn’t suitable for dogs who bark at people or other animals. We recommend a one-on-one consultation to assess a more tailored approach for your dog.

Q: What if my dog’s stress escalates during the class?
A: If we notice any signs that this environment isn’t the best fit for your dog, we’ll work with you to create a plan for individual support so your dog can build confidence in a more personalized setting.

Q: How many dogs will be in the class?
A: We cap enrollment at 4 dogs for Confidence That Clicks

Join us for Confidence That Clicks and empower your dog with the skills to face the world with confidence and resilience!

Class Instructor: Kim Silver

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

Requirements:

• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your dog is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• Excessive barking is not suitable for a this class. If you have a dog that barks a lot, please contact us.
• We ask that you please give your newly acquired dog 14 days to settle in before coming to a group class. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• If your dog has a history of barking at dogs on leash, growling or has bitten another dog, please contact us about private training.

Waitlist

Professionally guided hikes for dog owners who want more than just a walk around the neighborhood. You’ll explore the Southern Arizona desert while learning how your dog experiences the trail, practicing obedience skills in the great outdoors, and building confidence together. Best of all, you’ll do it alongside a community of like-minded dog owners who love adventure, growth, and getting outside with their dogs.

Hikes take place on the third Sunday of the month. Hikes vary in length, difficulty, and location and are typically scheduled prior to 11:00 am. Hike start times range from 7:15 am – 8:30 am during the hotter months. During the cooler months hike start times can range anywhere from 8:30 am – 10:30 am. No group hikes will occur from June-September due to summer heat.

Participation Pathways
To ensure the best experience for all dogs and people, each team will follow one of two pathways:

Path #1: Approved for Group Hikes
Dogs who demonstrate the necessary skills to safely and comfortably participate in group hikes will complete a short in-person evaluation with Taniyah. The evaluation fee is $10, which will be credited toward your first hike.

Path #2: Preparation Needed
Dogs who are not yet ready for a group hiking environment will be referred to an appropriate group class or private training program to build the skills needed before joining the hikes.

This helps keep the hikes enjoyable, safe, and supportive for everyone involved.

Class Instructor: Taniyah Parker

Class Length: Each hike is between 1 - 2 hours long (this does not include drive time to the hiking location)

Requirements:

• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your dog is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us.
• As a safety precaution, children attending must be 12 years or older.
• We ask that you please give your newly acquired dog 14 days to settle in before coming to a group hike. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days.
• Your dog must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs. If your dog has a history of barking at dogs on leash, growling or has bitten another dog, please contact us about private training.
• If we must cancel due to inclement weather, Taniyah will notify everyone beforehand with a backup date for hiking.

Interest Form

What is Sniff to Calm Club?
Sniff to Calm Club is a scent-based program designed to support dogs’ emotional regulation, confidence, and coping skills through intentional sniffing activities.

This program is not competitive scent work. There are no titles, levels, or performance goals. Instead, we use sniffing as:

• A form of species-appropriate enrichment
• A calming, regulating activity
• A supportive component of broader behavior modification plans
• Each dog works at their own pace, based on comfort and observable stress levels

Sniff to Calm Club is essential for all dogs but especially helpful for dogs who struggle with stress, big emotions, or navigating the world with ease.

Why Sniffing?

Sniffing is a powerful, natural behavior that supports:

• Emotional regulation and stress reduction
• Increased confidence and optimism
• Improved focus and behavioral flexibility
• Safer engagement with new environments

For many dogs, sniffing provides a way to explore the world without pressure or confrontation.

Program Structure

Step 1: Required 5-Week Introductory Course

All dogs and guardians must complete a 5-week Intro Course before attending Sniff & Go sessions.

Option A: In-Person Intro Course REGISTER BY CLICKING THE “CLASSES” BUTTON BELOW

$225 | 5 Weeks | @ Building Bonds | Includes Scent Kit

Generally offered on a Saturday, but an alternative day/time class may be arranged with enough participants. 

This option is for dogs who:

• Are comfortable working around other dogs
• Can remain under threshold in a shared indoor environment
• Do not display reactive or aggressive behaviors toward other dogs

This option is not suitable for reactive or highly sensitive dogs.

Option B: Online Intro Course EMAIL IF INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE COURSE

$200 | 5 Weeks | Online | Includes Scent Kit

This option is ideal for:

• Reactive dogs
• Sensitive or easily overwhelmed dogs
• Dogs who struggle with new environments, people, or other dogs

The online format allows dogs to learn foundational skills in a familiar, low-stress environment.

Step 2: Monthly Sniff & Go Sessions

After completing the Intro Course, teams may attend Sniff & Go sessions for ongoing enrichment and support.

These sessions are designed to be flexible, low-pressure, and tailored to each dog’s needs.

Group Sniff & Go (limited to three handler/dog teams)

$50 per session or 6 Sniff & Go sessions for $240

• Dogs take turns searching (up to 5 searches)
• No direct dog-to-dog interaction
• Must be comfortable around other dogs and people

Private Sniff & Go

$65 per session or 6 Sniff & Go sessions for $330

• One dog at a time (up to 5 searches)
• Ideal for reactive, sensitive, or easily overwhelmed dogs
• Fully individualized setups and pacing

Customized Sniff Experiences

Each Sniff & Go is thoughtfully designed based on the dog’s experience and comfort level. Activities may include:

• Food searches or odor searches (birch or clove)
• Boxes or environmental hides
• Indoor or outdoor environments
• Ground-level or elevated searches

How Sniff to Calm Supports Behavior Modification

Sniff to Calm Club may be recommended as part of a broader behavior plan to help dogs:

• Lower baseline arousal
• Practice calm engagement in controlled settings
• Build resilience and coping skills
• Shift from vigilance to exploration

Sniffing activities are structured, dog-led, and adjusted in real time based on body language and stress signals.

Sniff to Calm Club does not replace private training, behavior consulting, or veterinary care, but may complement those services.

Important Notes for Guardians

• Completion of the Intro Course is required before attending Sniff & Go sessions
• Sniff & Go sessions are enrichment experiences, not socialization classes
• Dogs are never forced to interact with other dogs
• Participation and progression are always flexible

Is Sniff to Calm Club Right for My Dog?

If you have a dog, the answer is YES. 

Sniff to Calm Club emphasizes building resilience with:

• Choice-based activities
• Predictable routines
• Low-pressure success
• Mental enrichment without social expectations

If you are unsure whether in-person or an online class is best for your dog, we are happy to help you choose the most appropriate starting point.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver

Class Length: Five 45-60 minute classroom sessions

Requirements:

• Documentation from a veterinary clinic that your dog is fully vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella (kennel cough). You may upload this documentation to the registration form or email it to us. This is not required for the online five week class, but is required for any in-person sessions.
• We ask that you please give your newly acquired dog 14 days to settle in before coming to a group hike. Many illnesses will present themselves in the first 14 days. This is not required for the online five week class.
• Your dog must be comfortable and able to work around other dogs for the in-person group class. If your dog has a history of barking at dogs on leash, growling or has bitten another dog, please contact us about private training.

Waitlist