Class Descriptions | Daycare & Train | Socialization | Instructor Bios

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.

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 orientation, 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 an orientation. 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 orientation.

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 (unlimited Levels Classes for two months) - $179
Bachelors (unlimited Levels Classes for four months) - $269
Masters (unlimited Levels Classes for six months) - $349
Ph. D (unlimited Levels Classes for one year) - $559

*Your membership will start from the date of your orientation class*

See The Benefits

• You can easily start training classes at your convenience. Orientations 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 nights 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

Orientation- (Welcome to the world of dogs)

This hour and a half orientation 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 Orientation before starting our program.  Once you attend the orientation 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. Dog will be able to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test at the end of Level 4.

Agility for Fun - 6 weeks Introduce your dog to the sport of agility in a fun and safe way!  Teach your dog to go through tunnels, over jumps and start learning to do the weave poles and teeter.  This class will introduce your dog to several pieces of agility equipment and the handler to basic agility handling maneuvers.  Dogs are required to have basic obedience including sit, down, stay and come in a distracting environment.  Dogs must also be dog and people friendly.  Bring your dog to the first class on a regular flat buckle collar with lots of tasty tiny treats.  Humans should be comfortably dressed and ready to be active.

Stop Jumping - 1 Class (2 Hours)
For any dog who loves to jump on people.  Learn some effective methods to help your dog stop jumping on people when greeting. We welcome lots of people in class to help us practice our non jumping skills.

Loose Leash Walking -  1 Class (2 Hours)
For any pooch that likes to pull.  Learn why your dog pulls and why this so difficult for many dogs.  We will be practicing several exercises to help get his attention focused on you rather than dragging you down the block.  

Reliable Recall -  1 Class (2 Hours)
Learn techniques to help your dog come to you when he is called.  We will practice exercises, gradually adding in distractions, working towards off leash situations.

Price $35    (20% discount for Training member)

Canine Good Citizen Preparation - 5 weeks
This 5 week class focuses on practicing and polishing the skills needed to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. The CGC program is open to both pure and mixed breed dogs. The ten step test covers the basic exercises needed to make your dog a welcome canine companion including sit, down, stay, walking nicely on leash, appropriately greeting humans, polite behavior around another dog, etc. Dogs are required to have completed a basic obedience class before taking this class. Please bring your dog, lots of tasty treats and proof of current vaccinations (including Rabies and DH2PP) to the first class.

Canine Good Citizen Testing
The AKC Canine Good Citizen is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. The CGC program is open to both pure and mixed breed dogs. The test will be conducted by an approved AKC CGC evaluator.

For more information check out the AKC's website

Downtown Dogs University

Coming Soon Board & Train Program

Daycare & Train Program
Does Rover need to learn his basic commands? Or, does he need tutoring in a specific subject? If so, have him attend Downtown Dogs University, our unique daycare and train program. At DDU, we make learning fun. Your dog will attend daycare several days per week to frolic with friends, burn some energy, and of course attend class. Our trainer will work individually with your dog to learn and practice new skills. Homework is provided nightly to assist each student in sharpening his skills. At the end of each course, parent/teacher conferences are scheduled to review all that was learned, and discuss the student’s progress.

Please Note - Owner's must be active participants in order to achieve success with this program!

Basics 101 - 2 week program
This program is designed for a beginner student with little to no previous training. We will teach your dog: sit, down, stay, come, attention, wait- to go through doors and leave it. This program includes three training days per week, nightly homework and two- 30 minute review sessions with owner (One at end of each week). For all courses, dogs must be dropped off before 9 am and picked up after 5 pm.

Price $275 + cost of daycare

Jumping 1A - 1 week program
This program is designed for dogs who love to jump up on people. This program includes three training days, nightly homework and one-30 minute owner meeting at end of week.

Price $125 + cost of daycare

Loose Leash Walking 1A - length varies
This program is designed for dogs who pull on leash. The program includes a 30 minute orientation with trainer, three training days per week, nightly homework and one- 30 minute review sessions with owner. Requires pre-evaluation to determine number of training sessions and price. For all courses, dogs must be dropped off before 9 am and picked up after 5 pm.

Price $125 - $250 + cost of daycare

Reliable Recall - 1 week program
This program is designed for dogs who have difficulty "coming" to their owners when called. This program includes three training days, nightly homework and one-30 minute owner meeting at end of week.

Price $125 + cost of daycare

Custom Classes - length varies
Don't see what you're looking for? We'll be happy to customize a program to meet your individual goals .

Price Varies

About the Instructors

Kelly Alves Helsing, CPDT, CTC
Kelly has been working and training dogs at daycare for over ten years and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. Her specialty is dog behavior and group play. She is a graduate of the San Francisco SPCA Dog Training Academy and earned a Certificate in Training and Counseling. Kelly also continues her education by attending a variety of seminars, conferences and workshops.

Jen Voelkel
Jen has been a teacher most of her life.  She started by assisting her music instructor while in elementary school and then went on to become a credentialed 1st grade teacher.  She taught in the Sunnyvale School District for 9 years before having twin boys.  Life since then has been a crazy adventure.