Good Dog Training Academy

Life Skills is perfect for any dog who is ready to learn basic behaviors. In this class, you will learn valuable training skills that will allow you to encourage and reinforce proper etiquette in your dog. Through the duration of this course, your dog will learn basic everyday skills and become a well-  mannered member of your home.

• 5 weekly hour classes
• Dogs ages 6 months and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• $150 for 5 weeks

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is an American Kennel Club (AKC) based program for dog parents who have worked hard to teach their dogs proper manners and behaviors. This 10-skill test will assess your dog’s skills and good manners by having them perform the 10 CGC-specific skills required to earn this title. An AKC-approved CGC evaluator will host the test and will offer you the chance to acquire the Canine Good Citizen Title.

• 6 weekly hour classes
• Dogs ages 6 months and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• Recommended prerequisite - Life Skills
• $150 for 6 weeks

If you’re struggling to handle your dog’s impulsive behaviors such as jumping or pulling, Mindful Manners may be the perfect class for you and your dog. This class is intended to use fun, reward-based games and exercises to train your dog to control their impulses and seek guidance from you in difficult or distracting situations instead. This class will also provide valuable training tactics to help you remain calm and correct situations where your dog’s impulsive behaviors arise outside of the classroom.

• 4 weekly hour classes
• Dogs ages 6 months and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• Recommended prerequisite - Life Skills
• $130 for 4 weeks

Fun-gility helps your dog build confidence and body awareness in a casual and non-competitive environment. Participating teams will enjoy developing these skills by using various types of agility equipment.

• 5 weekly hour classes
• Recommended for dogs ages 18 months and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• Recommended prerequisite - Life Skills
• $150 for 5 weeks

Our private dog training offers personalized, one-on-one sessions designed to address your dogs specific needs, including reactivity, shy/fearful, resource guarding, confidence building and more. Our experienced certified trainers will work closely with you and your dog to develop effective training techniques, providing guidance and support every step of the way. Whether you're looking to teach basic obedience commands or more advanced skills.

• 1 hour sessions
• Dogs ages 10 weeks and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• $80 per session or $200 for 4 sessions

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona provides valuable and life-saving Rattlesnake Avoidance training class.  Each training class gives dogs the necessary training to help prevent an expensive and potentially deadly encounter.

• Hour long session
• Dogs ages 6 months and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• $120 first dog, $105 second dog, $75 refresher
• All dog breeds welcome
• Dogs over the age of 6 years - recommend consult with veterinarian to ensure class is appropriate for your dog.
• Dogs attending class must be on a 4’-6’ leash, no retractable leashes  allowed.
• If you have registered two dogs for this class, each dog must have their own handler.
• Dogs may not attend Rattlesnake and Toad Avoidance back to back. There must be at least a two week in between trainings.

Classes are conducted by local professionals from Arizona Animal Experts, Inc.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona provides valuable and potentially life-saving Colorado River Toad Avoidance training. Each training class gives dogs the necessary training to help prevent an expensive and potentially deadly exposure to Colorado River Toads.

• Hour long session
• Dogs ages 6 months and up
• Proof of vaccines DAPP/DHPP & Rabies required
• $120 first dog, $105 second dog, $75 refresher
• All dog breeds welcome
• Dogs over the age of 6 years - recommend consult with veterinarian to ensure class is appropriate for your dog.
• Dogs attending class must be on a 4’-6’ leash, no retractable leashes  allowed.
• If you have registered two dogs for this class, each dog must have their own handler.
• Dogs may not attend Rattlesnake and Toad Avoidance back to back. There must be at least a two week in between trainings.

Classes are conducted by local professionals from Arizona Animal Experts, Inc.

Please note: When registering for one of the below teachings, please note if the class is for PEOPLE ONLY or PEOPLE and DOGS.

People Only

• The Three D's of Dog Training - Learn to train like a pro - Training takes time because dogs must learn to generalize the information and eliminate irrelevant contingencies
• Navigating Canine Reactivity - Learn how to stay under the threshold and reward the behavior you want to see in your dog.
• Body Language - Learn to read your dog's body language. Communication can go both ways.
• Bark - Transform your chaotic abode into a harmonious living space
• Play the Training Game PORTL - Learning to shape canine behavior

People and Dogs

• Mastering Leave it - A Guide to Canine Self-Control - Train your dog to have self-control by training the "Leave it" cue.
• Barrier Games - Keep your dog out of trouble and create a stress-free life for you and your dog by using fun games
• Jumping - Overcoming Your Dog's Vertical Challenges - Overcome your Bouncing, Jumping, Pouncing Dog Struggles
• No More Pulling Games - Achieving a Loose Leash with Fun Games - Using fun games to achieve a dog that no longer pulls you on the leash
• Confidence - Unleash you and your dog’s inner confidence and optimism through fun games. - Prepare yourself and your dog for situations you will encounter in the real world, by using games and strategies you both will enjoy.
• Engage/Disengage - Unlock your furry friend's full potential with the game-based training that's going to revolutionize your pup's focus, self-control, and confidence in a world full of pesky distractions. (Group Class Will Also Become Available to Master THE Exercises Presented on This Speak Lab)

The Pet VIP Therapy and Visitation Program is a unique program designed to bring the unconditional love that pets provide to the people in our community who need it the most. If your pet loves interacting with people and excels in basic behaviors such as sit, stay, down, come, and loose leash walking and is calm around other animals, people, and new environments, this program may be perfect for you. Other species, such as cats, birds, pocket pets, goats, and pigs are welcome to participate as well. Becoming a Pet VIP team is a rewarding and beautiful experience that has a positive impact on the community.

If you are interested, please visit and read through the Pet VIP Therapy and Visitation Page before utilizing the contact information at the bottom of the page.

Good Dog Academy Scholarship Opportunity

We at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona care about our community, pets, and the pet parents that love them. We support our veterans and active service members. We also support income qualified individuals that need assistance with their dogs in a group class setting. If you would like to apply for our Good Dog Academy Scholarship, please click on the link below.

When applying for a scholarship, if you do not submit supplemental proof of need, your application will not be considered. 

Good Dog Scholarship Application