PLEASE READ CLASS DESCRIPTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHICH CLASS IS BEST SUITED FOR YOUR TEAM. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC DOG, PLEASE CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION BEFORE SIGNING UP.
TO RESERVE A SPACE IN A CLASS, PAYMENT IS DUE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE UNLESS THERE IS A DOG ON THE WAITING LIST AND YOU CANCEL BEFORE THE FIRST NIGHT OF CLASS.
Puppy Class
Meets Mondays 5:15-6:15 pm at Seaman’s Lodge starting March 10, 2025
He's a S.T.A.R. puppy!
Puppy Training and Socialization Class
American Kennel Club's S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
This is a unique combination of puppy socialization and training. In this class, puppies will be gently exposed to different people, other dogs and items they will encounter in their daily life in a safe environment under the watchful eye of a professional trainer. Each week you will also learn how to teach your puppy a new obedience behavior using rewards based, positive methods.
At the end of each class, puppies can explore age-appropriate agility equipment to increase their confidence and physical ability or play with each other to gain social skills. We will also discuss common puppy training issues such as barking, nipping and house training. The puppies will learn to accept handling from both family members and strangers so they will later be relaxed when restrained and examined at the vet's office, handled by the groomer or petted by a child.
Your puppy will learn "sit", "down", "touch", "come" and "drop it". You will also learn how to teach your puppy good pet manners, such as sitting to greet instead of jumping up and walking on a loose leash. Your puppy will get used to a variety of items in the safe class environment so he can be comfortable with distractions such as people carrying umbrellas and kids on bikes as an adult dog.
Meets: Mondays 5:15-6:15 pm at Seaman’s Lodge
Start date: March 10, 2025
Age: Puppies between 2.5 and 4 months old at the start of class (6 months for small breeds).
Maximum group size: nine puppies
Requirements: All puppies must have at least one DHPP vaccination (proof of immunization required).
Registration fee: $225 for six lessons
Location: Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14; backup date April 21
“Susanna’s puppy class was so helpful to us. We learned so much, and our pup did, too! Our goal is to have a well-behaved and obedient dog. The puppy class helped us to build a good foundation of skills. We highly recommend this class.”
“Susanna is a skilled instructor, very patient with the humans as well as the puppies! I really enjoyed seeing how she worked one-on-one with the puppies. If you have a puppy and want to develop the best relationship, so that your dog is responsive to you, take this class!”
Advanced Puppy Class
Meets Mondays 5:15 – 6:15 pm at Seaman’s Lodge in Nevada City starting April 28, 2025
Advanced Puppy Class for Adolescent Dogs
This new class offers continued learning, fun games and tricks for puppy class graduates. We will cover all the new skills taught in the regular beginner's class, including "Stand", "Leave It", "Wait" and "Go to Your Mat". Since all the puppies will already be familiar with the basics, we will have time to add new topics and behaviors to the agenda. Behavior issues typically starting in adolescence will be discussed. Learning games and fun dog tricks will also be included. We will practice loose leash walking and "Come" with "Touch" around distractions. The "Stay" will be covered more formally now that the puppies have been introduced to the concept in the puppy class.
Meets: Mondays 5:15-6:15 pm at Seaman’s Lodge in Nevada City
Start date: April 28, 2025
Age: puppies 4.5-8 months at the start of class
Maximum group size: eight puppies
Requirements: All puppies must have had at least two DHPP vaccinations and a rabies vaccination (proof of immunization required). All puppies must have completed the STAR puppy class or a similar puppy class. Some puppies who have not attended a puppy class may also have the appropriate foundation obedience and social skills as a result of training and socialization done at home by an experienced handler.
Registration fee: $225 for six lessons
Location: Seaman’s Lodge, Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: April 28, May 5, 12, 19, June 2, 9
Good Dog!
Meets Mondays 5:15-6:15 pm at Seaman's Lodge starting January 20, 2025
Good Dog: Basic Training for Dogs
In this class, we will focus on pet manners as well as foundation obedience skills. Your dog will learn "Sit," "Down”, "Stand", "Stay," "Come," "Drop It" and "Leave it." Your dog will learn to greet people politely instead of jumping up. We will also cover walking on a loose leash and waiting on cue. The "Touch" hand targeting and "Go to your mat" cues are also covered in the Good Dog Class.
Meets: Six weeks; 5:15-6:15 pm Mondays at Seaman's Lodge
Start date: January 20, 2025
Age: Dogs over five months
Maximum group size: nine dogs
Requirements: All dogs must be current on DHPP and rabies vaccinations (proof of immunization required)
Registration fee: $225 for six lessons
Location: Seaman's Lodge in Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24; backup date March 3
“Watching Susanna handle her personal dogs and student’s dogs says it all. The dogs are attentive, enthusiastic and obedient, which is a lovely combination and a great example for her students.”
Better Dog!
Meets Mondays 5:15-6:15 pm AND 6:30-7:30 pm at Seaman’s Lodge starting October 21, 2024
We are going to offer TWO intermediate classes starting on 10/21 due to the large number of dogs enrolled. There is one space available in the 6:30 pm class due to a cancellation due to injury.
Better Dog: Intermediate Training for Dogs
Do you want to take your dog camping and hiking? Would you like to enjoy a relaxing lunch at a dog-friendly café? Get your dog ready for off leash control with the Better Dog Class. We will work on strengthening skills gained in the Good Dog Class so your dog learns to reliably respond to cues around distractions. The Better Dog Class agenda includes practicing the exercises from the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test. You will also learn two very useful ways to teach your dog to ignore things he gets excited or anxious around. These self-control exercises will help your dog focus on you and remain calmer around distractions. The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test is offered on the last night of class.
Meets: Six weeks 5:15-6:30 pm AND 6:30-7:30 pm Mondays at Seaman’s Lodge
Start date: October 21, 2024
Age: Dogs over six months
Maximum group size: eight dogs
Requirements: Dogs must have completed the Good Dog Class, or a similar basic training class. All dogs must be current on DHPP and rabies vaccinations (proof of immunization required).
Registration fee: $225 for six lessons
Location: Seaman’s Lodge, Pioneer Park, Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, backup date 12/2
“Susanna as a coach is kind and fair and adjusts well to the dogs and people that are in her classes.”
Advanced Class
Community Canine and Introduction to Rally Class
Meets Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm at Seaman's Lodge in Nevada City starting April 28, 2025
Adrian R. Hyman Photography
Community Canine: Advanced Training for Dogs
This advanced class prepares teams for the American Kennel Club’s Community Canine title, also known as the Advanced Canine Good Citizen (CGCA) test. The dogs learn to remains calm and respond to the handler’s cues around distractions. This class also introduces handlers to exercises from the AKC’s Rally Novice program. Rally encourages communication between the handler and dog and can be a natural link between the CGC program and more formal obedience or agility competition. Rally is fun for people and dogs and a good way to enjoy teamwork with your pet in a relaxing and supportive environment. Even if you do not want to compete and get your dog titled in rally, the skills learned in this class are useful for pets.
Meets: Six weeks 6:30-7:30 pm Mondays at Seaman's Lodge
Start date: April 28, 2025
Age: Dogs over seven months
Maximum group size: seven dogs
Requirements: Dogs must have completed the Better Dog Class, or a similar intermediate training class. All dogs must be current on DHPP and rabies vaccinations (proof of immunization required).
Registration fee: $225 for six lessons
Location: Seaman's Lodge in Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: April 28, May 5, 12, 19, June 2, 9
“We are return customers and we really enjoy Susanna’s classes. They are a great balance of positive training, fun and obedience.”
Rally Novice Class
Meets Mondays 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Seaman’s Lodge in Nevada City starting January 20, 2025
Rally Novice Class
The goal of the training at The Canine Coach is clear communication between the person and the dog. The AKC Rally rules allow unlimited communication between the person and his or her canine partner. The handler may use both physical and verbal cues and praise the dog. In the novice level of rally, all exercises are performed on leash. This sport is an excellent way to strengthen the bond with your dog. With practice, person and dog become better at moving together as a team.
This class offers teams the chance to practice complete AKC Rally Novice courses. This is important for those teams getting ready for Rally trials, but also fun for people who just want to try the sport with their dog. The small class size allows for every dog to run each course twice, as well as practice the more challenging skills separately. The class is a friendly and safe environment to enjoy spending time with our dogs, support and encourage each other, make new friends, and laugh and learn together.
Meets: six weeks 6:30–7:30 pm Mondays at Seaman’s Lodge
Start date: January 20, 2025
Age: Dogs over eight months
Maximum group size: six dogs
Requirements: Dogs must have competed the Community Canine and Introduction to Rally Class, or completed similar training elsewhere, and earned the CGCA title.
Registration fee: $225 for six sessions
Location: Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24; backup date March 3
Rally Intermediate Class
Meets Mondays 5:15 – 6:15 pm at Seaman’s Lodge in Nevada City starting TBD
Rally Intermediate Class
This class offers teams the chance to practice complete AKC Rally Intermediate courses. The small class size allows for every dog to run each course twice, as well as practice the more challenging skills separately. We will practice the AKC Rally Intermediate Virtual Courses and teams will get a chance to get videotaped for AKC submission. Please contact Susanna to register for this class.
Meets: six weeks 5:15–6:15 pm Mondays at Seaman’s Lodge
Start date: TBD
Age: Dogs over eight months
Maximum group size: five dogs
Requirements: Dogs must have competed the Rally Novice Class, or completed similar training elsewhere, and have their AKC Rally Novice title.
Registration fee: $225 for six sessions
Location: Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: TBD
Therapy Dog Class
Meets Mondays 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Seaman’s Lodge in Nevada City starting TBD
“Norman, my 2 1/2-year-old Golden Retriever male participated in The Canine Coach’s therapy dog training class, which prepared both of us to pass Norman’s therapy dog exam with ease. Norman was so well prepared for the exam that the exam was easily passed on his first attempt. Susanna‘s class provided opportunities to meet in different locations and she provided different situations so the dogs could experience a variety of distractions, which helped prepare them for the exam. Susanna is very positive and kind, and the dogs love her. I definitely recommend Susanna‘s classes!”
Therapy Dog Class
Would you like to volunteer with your dog to share your pet’s affection and make the day of a person living in an assisted living facility? Would your dog love to be petted by people who may be ill or lonely? Our new Therapy Dog Class will get your team ready to bring smiles to people’s faces. Your dog will get ready to calmly meet people using wheelchairs, walkers and canes. Your team will become accustomed to working around different people, dogs and distractions.
The Therapy Dog Class will prepare your team for evaluation by Alliance Therapy Dogs, an organization with local volunteer opportunities. We will practice the most challenging exercises from both the Canine Good Citizen test and the Advanced Canine Good Citizen test. These tests are starting points for dog evaluations for many therapy dog organizations. Dog and handler teams will become familiar with common situations encountered during facility visits.
Meets: six weeks 6:30–7:30 pm Mondays at Seaman’s Lodge
Start date: TBD
Age: Dogs over ten months
Maximum group size: eight dogs
Requirements: Pre-evaluation by trainer to assess for suitable temperament and foundation training at the Canine Good Citizen level.
Registration fee: $225 for six sessions
Location: Seaman’s Lodge, Pioneer Park, 423 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Class dates: TBD
Disclaimer: Dogs will not be interacting with each other in the basic training, intermediate or advanced training classes. While we do our best to keep the distance between dogs at a maximum and the distractions to all dogs at a minimum, group classes can be a stressful environment for some dogs. Group classes are not an appropriate training venue for dogs that are very uncomfortable with or reactive towards other dogs. Some dogs may be able to join a group class after they and their handler have gained some additional skills with private training. If you have questions about your specific dog and the best training environment for him, please contact us.
Bowie and Goose, Good Dog Class graduates
“Susanna provides the communication bridge between humans and dogs. I take my dogs (retired racing greyhounds) to Susanna so we can deepen our relationship and make learning easy and fun. My dogs love the classes so much that I return with my fully trained Greyhound simply because it brings him joy. What a great way to strengthen the relationship with my best friends. I recommend Susanna to everyone with a dog of any age or ability.”