Training Class Schedule
All in-person classes take place at HRA’s Training & Behavior Center at 15 Oglethorpe St. NW, Washington, DC 20011. For additional information email us at [email protected] or call 202-375-7744.
Check out our Puppy and Basic Training, Reactive and Speciality, Agility, and Virtual Classes.
Puppy and Basic Training Classes
Puppy Kindergarten
This six-week class is for puppies 10 weeks - 5 months. The earlier you get started, the better for your puppy’s socialization. Puppy Kindergarten is critical for all puppies; it teaches the skills they need to become well-behaved, adult dogs with solid temperaments. This class is also the perfect tool to help develop your puppy’s bite inhibition. Pups will be taught such foundation skills as attention, sit, down, come, and leave it. Topics such as housetraining, chewing, and jumping will be discussed.
Six-Week Classes: $250
Wednesday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 16 at 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m.
**Class will not meet Saturday, March 18
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Basic manners I
This six-week class is part one of a two-part basic training course. In this class, you and your dog will build a solid foundation of behavioral skills. Your dog will learn how to work around distractions and you will learn how to effectively communicate with your dog. We will focus on building skills such as sit, down, stay, here, wait, leave-it, and drop-it. This class is for all dogs, whether your dog is a total beginner or has had some training. We recommend that you register for Basic Training Part II once you start your Basic Training Part I class to ensure availability.
Six-Week Classes: $250
Tuesday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
Sunday, January 29 at 2:45 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
Saturday, February 4 at 9:00 a.m. -SOLD OUT-
Wednesday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 18 at 2:30 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
**Class will not meet Saturday, March 18
Saturday, March 18 at 8:50 a.m.
**Class will not meet Saturday, April 8
register here
Basic manners II
This six-week class is the second half of the Basic Training course. There is no orientation, so you will bring your dog to the first class. This course will cover important skills that will help your dog become reliable even when distractions are present. Work on behaviors such as: stay until released, stop pulling on leash, come immediately when called, stop instantly on command, and more.
Six-Week Classes: $250
Monday, January 23rd* at 6:30 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
*Class will not meet Monday, February 20 and 27
Saturday, February 18th 3:30 p.m.
**Class will not meet Saturday, March 18
reGISTER Here
Reactive and Specialty Classes
"oh, Behave" a reactive Dog Basic Manners Mini-Series
"Oh, Behave" is a basic manners class for dogs living with reactivity. Manners introduced include coming when called, stay, drop it, settle, and loose leash walking. Everyone will have their own training space with visual barriers available and used as needed.
Four-Week Class: $175
Thursday, March 2 at 8:55 a.m.
Register here
Reactive Dog I
This six-week class is for dogs that bark, growl and/or lunge at other dogs on leash. You will learn how to better read your dog's body language and body postures, in addition to learning proper handling skills. You will become familiar with behavior modification techniques like desensitization and counterconditioning while simultaneously teaching your dog skills to avoid conflict and pay more attention to you. We will also teach you how to get out of tough situations with your dog.
Six-Week Class: $350
Monday, January 23* at 8:15 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
*Class will not meet Monday, February 20 and 27
Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. -SOLD OUT-
Thursday, March 2* at 10 a.m.
*Class will not meet Thursday, April 6th
Thursday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 at 5:o0 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 at 7:15 p.m.
Register here
Reactive Dog II
In this six-week class, instructors help you solidify skills with additional distractions and new environments. The class is designed to increase your dog's ability to tolerate the presence of other dogs while outside and to teach you how to respond to surprising or unexpected situations you may encounter while walking your dog. We also focus on building your confidence in leash handling and show you how to practice the skills you need to address your dog's behavior.
Six-Week Class: $350
Saturday, February 18 at 11:30 a.m.
**Class will not meet Saturday, March 18
Register here
Healing Paws Therapy Dog Class
In this six-week class, we teach your dog many of the same skills we teach assistance dogs and prepare your dog for visiting hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities. Your dog will learn how to greet people who are standing, sitting or lying down as well as become familiar and comfortable with wheelchairs, walkers and crutches. Retrieving skills, automatically sitting next to your chair and lying under a table are skills that you will appreciate and can use anywhere. Learn to move gracefully with your dog in a synchronized manner as if dancing! This class teaches you and your dog to be the most effective therapy team as well as an entertaining duo. $250
Six-Week Class: $250
Saturday, February 18 at 4:30 p.m.
**Class will not meet Saturday, March 18
reGISTER Here
Fearful Dog Class
Classes coming soon!
Agility Classes
Agility classes are ongoing, four-week-long, 55-minute classes. Maximum of six dogs per class. Applications for the more advanced classes are at the instructor’s discretion.
Silver Snouts
Celebrating senior dogs! Practice simple agility maneuvers with your dog. Short drills and safe, fun agility courses offer dogs exercise, cognitive stimulation, and enthusiastic praise. Includes tunnels, jumps (set low), hoops, and wobble board.
Four-Week Classes: $175
Sunday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
Sunday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m.
reGISTer herE
Agility For Fun
Perfect for energetic dogs who need a job. Learn basic agility handling skills, verbal commands, and body language to create a deeper connection with your 4-legged companion. Includes single jumps, tunnels, forward sends, recall, tight (using cones)
Four-Week Classes: $175
Monday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m
Sunday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m.
register here
AdvanceD Beginner Agility
Novice dogs and their people try out new agility equipment and learn a new handler cue. Includes tire, A-frame, table, blind cross, and start line stays.
Four-Week Classes: $175
Monday, January 23 at 6:45 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
Monday, February 27 at 6:45 p.m.
Sunday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m.
*Class will not meet on March 19
Sunday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m.
reGISTER here
Intermediate Agility
More contact equipment is introduced with an emphasis on safety. Dogs build confidence as their people learn new handling skills in the ring. Includes dog walk, teeter, front cross, and rear cross.
Four-Week Classes: $175
Sunday, March 5 at 12:00 p.m.
*Class will not meet on March 19
Sunday, April 23 at 12:00 p,m.
reGISTER here
Advanced Agility
Those completing Intermediate agility are taught new jumping techniques and the art of distance handling. Includes backside jumps, threadle, serpentine, sends/distance work.
Four-Week Classes: $175
Friday, March 3 at 5 p.m.
reGISTER here
Weaves I
Dogs 18 months or older and their people learn how to navigate weave poles. Includes channel weaves and weaves (6- and 12-pole).
Four-Week Classes: $175
Thursday, February 16 at 6:15 p.m. -SOLD OUT-
reGISTER here
Jumps
Dogs learn how to properly collect, clear, and land a variety of jumps. Owners learn how to set jump bars on each piece of equipment. Includes double, triple, panel, and broad.
Four-Week Classes: $175
Friday, January 27 at 5 p.m.
reGISTER here
AC⚡DC - Agility Crew District of columbia
Agility Crew⚡District of Columbia is a league of intermediate- and advance-level agility handlers and their dogs. Hosted by HRA, AC⚡DC offers a new course Friday nights in the training room. Choose to either practice handling skills and work specific pieces of equipment on the course — or run the course as marked. Numbered courses are a friendly competition, timed and scored by the instructor.
Please note there are no run thrus on Friday, February 10.
Single Run Through: $10
Starts Friday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m.
*No run thrus February 10
reGISTER here
12 Session Punch Card: $110
Starts Friday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m.
*No run thrus February 10
reGISTER here
Agility Workshop: How to Compete
A two part workshop for handlers only. Learn the ropes on how to begin competing!
Part one is a 2.5-hour seminar. All the basics are covered, including registration applications, reading and filling out premiums, types of agility clubs, local venues, lay of the land once you arrive, volunteer jobs, crating best practices, proper leads and gear, checking in, reading course maps, ring etiquette, and respecting the judge, trial secretary, and “table” staff.
Part two is a field trip! Our agility instructor leads a carpool to a local agility trial where we watch the event and volunteer to assist in and out of the ring.
Two-Part Workshop: $75
Saturday, January 21 at 6 p.m.
reGISTER here
Virtual Classes
Cat Class
HRA is excited to present a new type of training class - one for your cat! Have you ever felt that your cat could benefit from more to do or that they seem to take out their boredom on you and your house? This class can help you understand the “why” behind your cat’s behavior, including unwanted behavior, and ways to resolve it.
The class will also teach you how to train your cat to do cool tricks, which can strengthen their bond with you, build their confidence, provide much-needed mental stimulation for active cats. Take your cat skills to the next level and learn more than the basics about how make your feline friend's life fun and exciting indoors!
Six-Week Online Class: $150
Wednesday, February 22 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 at 6:00 p.m.
reGISTER Here
Separation Anxiety Class
Does your dog struggle when left alone? Do you return to destruction, a stressed-out dog, or accidents in the house, even though when you are home, none of that happens? Are your neighbors complaining about your dog’s barking or crying? We will show you how to address the variety of issues that can create this complicated problem and how to build your own plan to work to reduce your dog’s anxiety.
This class provides support and coaching to give you the tools you need to develop a plan to work on helping your dog feel more comfortable when home alone. Please note we do not expect this behavior issue to be resolved by the end of the class period, as separation anxiety is complex, and it takes time to overcome the triggers and fears that your dog may have.
Six-Week Online Class: $225
Sunday, February 5 at 12:30 p.m.
reGISTER Here