Fax: 317-876-2428
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m
Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed
Thursday and Holidays
Dog Training
Classes
"Best Group Dog Training Classes, Indy Tails magazine 2005"
"Best Dog Trainer, Indy Tails magazine 2006"
Canine Behavior and Training Class General Information
Are you looking for a dog training class that you and your dog can attend, where there is a flexible class schedule, classes are pet- dog oriented and family-friendly? The Humane Society of Indianapolis offers an innovative class format that is designed to help you fit dog training into your life, instead of the other way around!
Our new format is a progressive, go-at-your-own-pace Levels Program with tracks for both puppies and adult dogs. Traditional dog training classes meet once a week for 6-8 weeks, and cannot accommodate students who miss class. Students often fall behind and become frustrated or drop out of the program. Our new class structure is based on Karate Classes, where you have rolling enrollment and levels that you move through as you accomplish certain skills. There is no rush. You can take as long as you need in order to master the skills before moving up into a new level.
Our Philosophy:
The Humane Society of Indianapolis' Canine Training School promotes dog-friendly methods so that all members of the family can take part in the training of the family dog. We believe that behavior that is rewarded is repeated and therefore do not use force or compulsion in our training program. Our program is based on the 3 Ms - Management, Motivation and Modifying Behavior. We discuss in detail how to properly manage your dog's behavior to minimize the opportunities for inappropriate behavior to occur, teach you how to motivate your dog to respond to humans and begin to modify behavior through training.
We do use food rewards as our primary motivator in class, but will also show you how to use a variety of “life rewards” at home and in daily situations, once the desired behavior has been well established. Dog training should be fun for both the human and the dog.
We encourage but do not require the use of Gentle Leader™ head collars for dogs and puppies that would benefit from them. A study based in the July 1, 2003 issue of JAVMA showed a correlation between use of Gentle Leaders in puppies and retention in the home. We sell them for $20 in the Canine Training School or you can borrow one to see if you like it.
Which class is for me?
Every class held at the Humane Society of Indianapolis has the same goal, to ensure that the dog owners are learning how to effectively train and communicate with their canine companions. Having realistic expectations of your dog and learning how to properly modify his behavior can lead to an enjoyable life-long relationship.
After you have attended the Intro to Canine Training you will proceed with one of the following classes:
Polite Puppy Club
If you have a puppy that is 2 to 4 months old, you will enroll in the Polite Puppy Club (PPC). The PPC offers important socialization and training opportunities that help your puppy develop into a well-mannered adolescent dog. In this class we talk in detail about managing puppy behavior, how to practice prevention exercises that teach your puppy to tolerate being handled and restrained, having food and toys taken away, being left alone, being handled by strangers and playing with other dogs.
Topics covered in PPC include nipping and rough play, house training, barking, sit, come, lie down, walk politely on a leash and more. Puppies remain in the PPC until they age out, which occurs around 4.5 months of age.
Obedience and House Manners
If your dog is 4 months or older, you will enroll in the Obedience and House Manners (OHM) program. The OHM program is designed to train the owners on how to gain control of their adolescent dog. You will be supported by your instructor and shown how to manage your dog's behavior while you teach him a vocabulary of commands that can be used in daily interactions.
There are three levels in this program. You will never fall behind because you know what is expected of you at each level. The only person you have to keep up with is yourself and your dog.
The OHM programs cover a variety of commands ranging from sit, down and stay, to come, leave it and wait. We also have weekly discussions about such topics as jumping up, counter- surfing, barking and more.
Students may progress at their own pace without feeling rushed or held back by other students. This stress-free approach to class attendance accommodates your busy lifestyle, giving you the flexibility you need as well as the time to master a skill before moving up to the next level. Each dog enrolling in the Obedience and House Manners program will begin at Level 1 regardless of prior training at another training school.
What Else?
The Humane Society of Indianapolis also offers the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, Therapy Dog classes and other specialty courses that are being developed for those dog owners who want to do more with their dog.
Training Passes
You have the option of purchasing a 2 or 4 month training pass which pays for a block of time to train your dog in weekly classes. All students must attend the free Introduction to Canine Training session before beginning classes with their dog.
- 2 Month Training Pass $125.00
- 4 Month Training Pass $200.00
The Introduction to Canine Training is free to prospective students and is the first required class of our program. If you aren't sure about whether this is a program for you, come check us out and see what you think with no obligation. Click here to view the training school calendar.
When Can I Begin?
We have staggering start dates for our Polite Puppy Club and our Level 1 classes. By controlling how many new students begin at the same time we are able to reduce the stress on new students and their dogs.
When you proceed to registration, you will have the option of choosing from the available start dates on the registration page.
Private Training and Behavior Lessons:
The Humane Society of Indianapolis offers private canine behavior and training sessions with experienced instructors. The private lessons can be designed for the needs of you and your dog and are great for working on specific behaviors or training concerns. Our staff can work with both canine and feline cases.
- Private in-home lessons cost $75 per hour
- Private lessons at the shelter cost $50 per hour
- Three in-home lessons and a Gentle Leader™ Headcollar System ($20 value) for $200
If you are still in need of assistance or have questions feel free to contact Josh Dinkel by phone 317-876-2173 or email.
