Our group classes…
Targeted to meet
specific training goals
at home, in the classroom
and in real-life settings!
Our Group Classes
At IT’S YOUR DOG School for Dogs, we ♥ teaching group classes! Our classes have been a popular favorite in Sussex County since 2004. Groups are always small and intimate, which means you and your dog get the personal attention you both deserve.
Our class formats focus on building desirable behaviors at home, in a traditional classroom and in real-life scenarios. Each environment lends itself to a different set of skills, distractions and challenges. That means that your dog’s learning takes place where the behavior is most useful and that your training becomes more reliable.
Class formats & locations
Out & About
We coach you as you train your dog in group class real-life environments! Must be graduates of our Basic 1 Family Manners course (or had equivalent private training with us). Dog and people-friendly dogs only please.
Live via Zoom
We coach you as you train your dog from the comfort of your own home – the place where your dog spends the most time! Perfect for full family participation, for our Basic 1 graduates who have not yet taken Basic 2 Impulse Control or Basic 3 Household Manners and for dogs that may not do well in a traditional group class environment.
Block Parties
Gather neighbors, friends and family for private classes in your own back yard or neighborhood! Choose from Come When I Call You or Leash Walking.
Classroom
We coach you as you train your dog in a traditional group class environment. These classes are currently held indoor/outdoor (as appropriate) at 10 Tierney Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ (get Directions).
Class Descriptions & Pricing
Basic 1 Family Manners
The traditional group class environment adds an important dimension to your dog’s social skills as we lay a foundation for focus, learn basic manners and address common unwanted behaviors. For dogs 5 months and older. This class is held at 10 Tierney Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ (get Directions). Lessons include:
| Eye Contact | Lay Down |
| Name Recognition | Polite Greetings (No Jump) |
| Take-It (Don’t Grab) | Beginner Come |
| Sit | Touch |
| OK to Release | Drop-It |
| Say Please | Attention on Leash |
$189 for 5 weekly (1 hour) sessions. Includes written course materials and support videos.
Leash Walking Clinic
This 4-week clinic is dedicated to the most allusive of all skills…walking politely on leash without pulling. Your dog learns how to pay better attention to you and you learn more efficient leash handling skills. By targeting both ends of the leash, you and your dog will be on your way to more enjoyable walks at the end of this course. No more pulling → more frequent & longer walks → more exercise for both of you → a tired dog is a good dog! This class is held INDOOR/OUTDOOR, as weather permits, at 10 Tierney Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ (get Directions).
Prerequisite: Basic 1 Family Manners is recommended but not required.
$169 for 4 weekly (1 hour) sessions. Includes written course materials.
Basic 2 Impulse Control... Live via Zoom!
Self-control is difficult enough for dogs, so why not teach it in a familiar setting, get success, then increase the distractions? In this class, we will review Basic 1 skills and learn 1) how to phase out food without losing motivation; 2) how to successfully increase duration, distractions and distance; and 3) new lessons that target impulse control:
| Relaxed Down |
| Wait |
| Formal “Stay” |
| Stand |
| Go To Your Mat |
| Leave-It |
Prerequisite: Basic I – Family Manners or Equivalent
$159 for 4 weekly (1-hour) sessions. LIVE via Zoom! Includes written course materials and support videos.
Emergency Recall Clinic
Coming when called is the single most important behavior you can teach your dog….. having a reliable recall can SAVE YOUR DOG’S LIFE! During this 4-week clinic we establish a reliable recall with two different cues (verbal and whistle). We work indoor/outdoor and create scenarios that present challenging distractions, including calling our dogs away from other dogs in play. If your dog’s recall response is not what it should be, this is the course for you! This class is held INDOOR/OUTDOOR, as weather permits, at 10 Tierney Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ (get Directions).
Prerequisite: Basic 1 Family Manners is recommended but not required.
$169 for 4 weekly (1 hour) sessions. Includes written course materials.
Basic 3 Household Manners... Live via Zoom!
In this class we will review Basic 2 skills and apply even more duration, distractions and distance. Now we’ll put everything together into some really cool behaviors that are essential at home, such as:
| Incoming Door Etiquette |
| Outgoing Door Etiquette |
| Applied Mat Work |
| Applied Stand |
| Return to Heel |
| Applied Leave-it |
Prerequisite: Basic 2 Impulse Control or Equivalent
$159 for 4 weekly (1 hour) sessions. LIVE via Zoom! Includes written course materials and support videos.
Out & About Sessions
Structured 1-hour sessions are held in a variety of dog-friendly public places, offering valuable socialization and opportunities to apply good manners in the real world. Groups are small to provide for focused training experiences individualized to the needs of the students.
Prerequisite: Prior group classes or private lessons with us (or permission of instructor). Dog and people-friendly dogs only please.
Pricing: 1 for $35 / 2 for $60 / 3 for $75 / 4 for $80
Class Schedule & Registration
After the first beginner class with our dog, I thought – this is never going to work! My little 5 lb chihuahua/yorkie mix is more interested in the other dogs than paying attention to me! Well after 3 classes, and continued at home practice, we could attend class and she would focus on me. Now, in the middle of the intermediate class it is like the light bulb went off and she listens to all my commands! Positive reinforcement training has worked for Zuzu. Leslie has made the class informative, fun and constantly gives tips on how to work with your dog’s individual problems. Thank you Leslie!
How many dogs are in a class?
Generally, our classes are limited to a maximum of 6 dogs unless a class assistant is available. This ensures that all customers get personalized service and that you and your dog are set up for success.
What is your policy on Cancellations/Reschedules & Refunds?
Due to the limited number of students in group classes, we carefully schedule to meet the specific needs of as many as possible. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, we may have turned away other clients for your spot in class. Therefore:
- Refunds, class transfers and/or changes of service type are permitted if requested at least ten (10) days prior to the first enrolled session.
- Once a class has begun, there is no tuition refund for cancellations, dropouts or missed classes.
What do I need to bring/wear to class?
Course materials and a list of things to bring to class will be emailed approximately 10 days prior to your start date.
Please provide proof of current rabies (waived for dogs under 6 months) and distemper/parvo vaccines to us prior to the start of class by either email (training@itsyourdog.com) or text (201-841-2163). Titers are accepted with proper documentation of sufficient immunologic protection. Vaccinations against bordetella and canine influenza are recommended but not required.
Dress comfortably and wear sturdy shoes in class. Flips-flops, sandals, heels, clogs and dress shoes are not permitted. Instructors reserve the right to restrict participation in certain classes and/or exercises if proper footwear is not worn.
Does my dog attend all sessions?
Yes, your dog attends all sessions! Please refer to our course materials so you are prepared for class.
Can my entire family come to class?
Yes, full family participation is encouraged! However, in the name of safety and success, only one person per family is permitted to handle the dog at a time. Additional family members are welcome to observe from the audience and may share the role as primary handler. Children ages 12 and up may be permitted to participate as a handler provided they demonstrate an ability to maintain consistent control of the dog in the classroom environment. This option is subject to the instructor approval and permission may be revoked. All children must remain quietly seated in the audience and cause no disruptions during class. Private lessons are advisable for handlers under the age of 12.
What happens in the event of inclement weather or unexpected instructor absence?
In the event of an unexpected instructor absence, you will be notified by email and text using the contact information provided in your account. All weather-related cancellations for evening classes will be announced by email by or before 5:30pm.
If you haven’t already done so, please add our email address training@itsyourdog.com to your safe sender list to be certain you receive our correspondence. As weather systems and road conditions vary in different areas, we strongly encourage you to ALWAYS check your emails before leaving for class during winter months.
All instructor or weather-related class cancellations will be made up the following week at the regularly scheduled time, thereby extending your last day of class an additional week.
Are make-ups classes available if I miss a class?
Due to the small size of our classes, make-ups are not available, except in the event of instuctor or weather-related cancellations. Please plan accordingly before registering.
However, we do understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise. Therefore, you are welcome to send an adult friend or family member in your place or come without your dog to observe. Course materials also provide additional support in the event you must miss a class.
What is your policy on canine vaccines and health concerns?
For the health and safety of all, including our trainers and other dogs they may come in contact with:
1) Vaccine requirements include current rabies (waiver for dogs under 6 months) and distemper/parvo and must remain current throughout class. Titers are accepted with proper documentation of sufficient immunologic protection. Vaccinations against bordetella and canine influenza are recommended but not required.
2) We understand that your dog may attend dog parks, daycare and boarding kennels from time to time. Please keep in mind that while vaccines may minimize the severity of symptoms, they may not prevent your dog from becoming infectious. Accordingly, see #3 below.
3) Please advise us immediately and seek veterinary care if you notice nasal discharge, runny eyes, coughing, sneezing, fever, a change in appetite or if your dog has worms, fleas or other parasites. Please ask your vet if you are unsure if your pet’s condition could be contagious.
4) A two (2)-week waiting period is required before resuming training after receiving veterinary treatment for a communicable condition (kennel cough, fleas, etc.). Written vet permission is required.
What are the rules of dog etiquette at class?
Safety and success are our first priority. Accordingly:
- Dogs must be leashed at all times.
- One of the most critical aspects of dog training is establishing your dog’s focus on YOU! For this reason, as well as safety concerns, on-leash play with the other dogs in class is not encouraged.
- Please be mindful of the personal space that other dog teams need as you enter and leave class.
- Potty your dog in the designated areas and be sure to pick up and deposit waste in the provided receptacles.