All Ages & Stages

With our open enrollment format, you can begin this six week class on any Saturday or Sunday 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 Instead of focusing on outdated obedience routines, you’ll build trust, clarity, and focus through practical games and structured practice.

Level One 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.

Please put your name on the waitlist and you will be notified when we get enough interest to put this class on the schedule. Manners Level Two is generally held on a Saturday or Sunday.

Ready to take your dog’s manners to the next level? This six-week course builds on the skills introduced in Manners Level One, with a focus on increasing your dog’s ability to stay calm, make thoughtful choices, and remain connect with you—even when distractions are present.

Using force-free, marker-reward based training, this course helps your dog develop impulse control and emotional regulation in everyday situations. From calmly waiting at doors and resisting tempting items, to walking politely on leash and responding reliably to cues, your dog will learn to pause before reacting and choose engagement with you.

You’ll also sharpen your own training skills—learning how to reinforce attention effectively, manage arousal, chain behaviors, and build fluency and reliability without frustration. Each week, we’ll introduce purposeful games and exercises that help you and your dog work as a team—confident in your communication, consistent in your cues, and better prepared to handle real-life moments together.

This course is ideal for teams who are ready to build reliability, deepen focus, and foster real-life cooperation without the pressure of working in public settings.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver

Class Length: Six 45-60 minute classroom sessions

You and Your Dog Will Learn:

• Stay relaxed and focused in more distracting situations
• Respond reliably to known cues with fewer prompts
• Delay gratification and manage arousal
• Choose calm, attentive behavior even when excited
• Reinforce attention and calm behavior with consistency
• Strategically build complexity and distraction into training
• Support your dog’s ability to self-regulate and make good choices
• Strengthen behavior chains for everyday tasks like walking, settling, and recalls

Requirements:

• Prerequisite: Adult Dog Manners Level One, an equivalent class taken elsewhere, or instructor approval.
• 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.

Is your dog very sweet and loving BUT also prone to jumping up, barking at others, counter surfing or not listening to you? If so, the Naughty But Nice class will build a better companion for you with fun, engaging games to transform your naughty pup into more of the dog of your dreams!

Class Instructor: Susan Sparks

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.
• 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.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver

Class Length: Four 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.
• 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.
• For the safety of all participants, dogs with a history of biting people or other dogs may be required to wear a muzzle during class. We’re happy to provide guidance and support with muzzle training before enrollment.

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.

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.

Training doesn’t have to stall when the temperatures rise. Designed specifically for pet guardians living in hot desert climates, this 8-week online course keeps your progress moving forward—even when outdoor training isn’t practical. Whether your dog struggles with reactivity toward people, dogs, or the environment, this program provides the structure, education, and support you need to stay consistent through the summer months.

This course is a guided support series that combines education, discussion, and hands-on coaching—with a strong emphasis on handler skills. You’ll learn how your own timing, mechanics, and decision-making directly influence your dog’s behavior and emotional responses.

We go beyond surface-level training to help you understand why your dog behaves the way they do, and how to respond in ways that build safety, predictability, and resilience.

What You’ll Learn:

• A deeper understanding of reactivity 
• Foundations of Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) for functional, real-world change
• How to use patterns to create predictability and reduce stress on walks
• Step-by-step guidance for setting up safe, effective training scenarios with helpers
• Clear, practical instruction on leash handling skills
• Precision in marker and reward mechanics to improve communication with your dog
• How to structure training plans that are realistic and sustainable in extreme heat

What’s Included:

• Weekly live online sessions (75–90 minutes each) combining lecture, discussion, and coaching
• Access to our full Reactivity Reimagined Online Course (100+ video tutorials; $249 value)
• Session recordings so you can review or catch up if you miss a class
• Ongoing support and guidance: All students will have access to our monthly Fretuful Fido/Reactivity support group, held on the first Thursday of every month on Zoom, during and after the course.

Important Note:
This course is focused on human skill-building. While you’ll apply what you learn with your dog between sessions, live class time is dedicated to developing the knowledge and mechanics that drive long-term success.

Schedule:
Wednesdays, July 1 – August 19
6:00 PM (AZ Time)
Sessions run approximately 75–90 minutes

Investment:
$300 (includes full access to our Reactivity Reimagined Online Course a $249 value)

If you’re ready to stay on track this summer, build your skills, and support your dog with clarity and confidence, this program is designed for you.

Class Instructor: Kim Silver

Class Length: Eight 75-90 minute Zoom sessions