Class Descriptions | Board & Train | Socialization | Instructor Bios | Specialty Classes | Workshops 

Downtown Dogs strives to offers a rewarding learning experience for dogs and their people in and around the Silicon Valley. Whether this is your first dog or your 15th, you and your dog will benefit from our variety of training and behavior modification services. Our instruction is specially designed to strengthen the human-animal bond while improving your dog's behavior. In doing so, we use your dog's instinctive abilities, personality and spirit to unleash your dog's fullest potential!

We offer classes, based on the "Levels System"  that provides dogs and owners flexibility in both when they attend, as well has how quickly they progress through a class.

Please Note: No Training Classes or Socials on the following dates:

February 4- Join us at Pet Expo

What is Levels Training?

Levels Training is a multi-tiered obedience program designed for the busy owner. Each level introduces new and more complex skills for both dogs and owners. Dogs move to the next level after they have demonstrated proficiency of specific skill requirements in their current level.  Our flexible schedule allows for owners to miss a week without falling behind or attend more frequently enhancing their learning experience. It also benefits dogs by allowing them to learn at their own pace so they can spend time focusing on areas where they need the most help.

We offer two types of levels classes:

• Puppy Kindergarten (for pups 10 wks to 5 months) 
• Basic Levels (for dogs over 5 months)

All students start at level 1 after attending the Training Prep Class, and will be "graduated" to the next level when the instructor determines the dog and handler have mastered the skills needed to move on.

In the Puppy Kindergarten class, we will also discuss special topics and puppies will have a chance to socialize off leash with friends in addition to learning all the beginning skills.

How do I get started?
All students need to register and attend a Training Prep Class. Our Training Prep Class is your first class and is required before you start weekly training classes.  All students Puppies can begin as early as 10 week as long as they are healthy and have completed two rounds of vaccinations. You will need to bring your vaccination records with you to the Training Prep Class.

Puppies under 5 months will start in our Puppy Kindergarten program, puppies 5 months and older and adult dogs start in Level 1.

If your dog has attended a basic obedience class before, we will help to find the right level for him.

Our Methods
We use Positive Reinforcement methods to build a relationship with respect and trust, not fear and punishment. We use treats, toys, praise - whatever your dog finds rewarding. We also discuss weaning off these rewards so as not to create “Show me the money” dogs. We believe in “Nothing in life is free” - dogs should work to earn all the fun things in life.

Membership Fees

Associate ~ 6 Training Sessions plus Training Prep Class - $179 
(valid for 3 months from date of training prep class attended)

Bachelors ~ 12 Training Sessions plus Training Prep Class - $299 
(valid for 6 months from date of training prep class attended)

Masters ~ 20 Training Sessions plus Training Prep Class - $449 
(valid for 9 months from date of training prep class attended)

(15% discount for Downtown Dogs Members*)

See The Benefits

• You can easily start training classes at your convenience. Training Prep classes are offered every two weeks.  No need to wait to get started training.
• You can work at your dogs own level until he masters a skill. No pressure to hurry up or feeling held back, based on the needs of others. This allows you to pace your dogs learning at what’s right for both of you.
• Students can go back to work at a lower level to brush up on skills
• Flexible schedule.  Students can choose which night to attend class.  You can attend different days based on your schedule.
• Students can come as frequently as they like. You can attend more than one session per week if your schedule allows.
• No need to panic if you have to miss a class.  You can take time off and still continue at the level that you left off.
• All members receive free access to our puppy & small dog socials as well as discounts off other training classes.
  

Levels Class Descriptions

Training Prep Class- (Welcome to the world of dogs)
This hour and a half class will help you get started in the training process.  We will discuss how dogs learn, clicker basics, our lure-reward method and how to wean your dog off of treats. We will also discuss our levels program and how to help your dog succeed with training.  Puppy owners are asked to stay an additional half hour to discuss puppy problems such as: housetraining, mouthiness and socialization.

All students are required to attend a Training Prep class before starting our program.  Once you attend the Training Prep class you can begin in a Level 1 class.  Then, you'll progress through the levels at your own pace.

Puppy Kindergarten and Level 1- Beginning Skills Name Recognition Sit Down Body Handling Leash management Barking

Puppy Kindergarten 2 and Level 2- Learning Manners Stay Come Eye Contact Sit to greet Loose leash walking Leave It Trick- shake, wave or high five Digging Jumping Up

In order to move to the next level your dog must come a distance of 20 feet with low distractions, stay for30 seconds with low distractions, stay with a distance of 10 feet with low distractions, sit to greet a stranger, leave a treat in an open hand, give eye contact on command and be able to walk on a loose leash for 20 feet with low distractions

Level 3-Adding Distractions Sit and Down from a distance Stays with increased distractions Come with distractions and increased distance Loose Leash walking with direction changes & auto sits Go to Bed Targeting Learn to fetch/retrieve Trick

In order to move to the next level your dog must come to owner with mild distractions from a distance of 40 feet, perform a sit and down from a distance of 5 feet,  loose leash walk past dogs and people, go to bed on command, leave a treat on the ground and stay while owner walks 20 feet away.
  

Level 4-Reliability In Level 4 we will continue to work on your dog’s skills in a wide variety of areas such as off-leash training, public manners, and distance commands around distractions. Students will have scheduled off site classes, applying what we learned in the classroom to the real world situations.  Dogs will be able to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test at the end of Level 4.

*Downtown Dogs memembers are current clients that regularly attend daycare/ boarding