Our Services
Dog Training Classes and Private Lessons
Whether your pet needs to learn the basics, brush up on some "forgotten" skills or modify an existing behavior, we can help! Our trainers and behaviorist can tailor a group class or private lesson package to suit your family's needs. Call or email Mariah at outreach@myhswm.org to discuss options for you and your pet. Or learn about our class levels, private lesson options and behavior helpline below.
New! Doorbells for Dogs class!
Is your dog destroying your door? Does your dog bark non-stop to be let inside? Save your door (and your relationship with your neighbors) by teaching your dog to ring a doorbell instead! This class focuses on replacing demand barking, scratching or other unwanted behaviors with ringing a doorbell, created especially for dogs. This short class is just $60 and includes a clicker, your own doggy doorbell & receiver and 2 group classes to help teach you and your dog to successfully "ring the bell!" Email Mariah at outreach@myhswm.org to sign up or learn more. Class size is limited to 6 student/dog teams and advance registration is required to hold your spot. Start date TBA, options are Thursday evenings and/or Saturday mornings.
Private Lessons
If your schedule does not allow for the commitment of a weekly group class or if you have specific behavior issues you need to work on, private lessons are a great option. Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Mariah Scheskie can help with everything from puppy manners training, problem solving (see examples below), and dog aggression/reactivity without a history of biting.
Problem Solving: Our Certified Professional Dog Trainers can help you with housetraining, jumping up, leash walking, coming when called, crate training, puppy mouthing, chewing, nuisance barking, and more. We can also help dogs gain confidence if they need help with socialization or we can also work with more difficult issues like mild to moderate aggression, separation anxiety, and fear.
Several pricing options and packages are available for private lessons. Following an initial phone consultation, Individual lessons are typically 1- 1/2 hours long and subsequent lessons in a package are 1 hour.
Prices:
Private lesson at the shelter: $45
Package of 3 lessons at the shelter: $125
Private lesson in your home: $65
Package of 3 lessons in your home:$180
Group Class Descriptions
Download all group class registration forms here.
Puppy Kindergarten- drop-in beginning training and socialization class for puppies 8 weeks to 4 1/2 months old. Puppy K is held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:15 pm. Feel free to drop-in and pay $12 per class, or purchase a discounted package of 4 classes for just $40 to be used at your convenience.
Puppies of different ages and levels can be separated into smaller playgroups. Puppies must have at least one distemper vaccine, a bordatella vaccine and be current on booster vaccinations as is age appropriate. To simplify paperwork during your first class, please bring proof of vaccinations and your signed enrollment form to your first class.
Socializing your puppy with other dogs is one of the most important things you can do for her! Socialization with new people, dogs and places needs to happen before they are only 4 months old, so time is of most importance for you and your new pup! This fun class focuses on socialization, start-up training and preventing problem behaviors like house soiling and inappropriate chewing. Beginning behaviors like name recognition, sit and coming when called will also be addressed in this class. Most importantly, your puppy will have the opportunity to meet and play with other dogs and meet new friends, both two and four legged!
Basic Manners- Six week class for dogs 2 months and older
Your dog is a member of your family and we want to help them act like one! Our Basic Manners class will show you and your dog how to work effectively as a team and communicate with each other. This six week session is designed to help owners teach their dogs behaviors- such as sit, down, come, stay and walking on a loose leash- that will result in a safe, happy and enjoyable relationship. This is a very popular class and tends to fill up quickly, please register in advance if possible.
Advanced/CGC Prep- Six week class for dogs who have completed Basic Manners or another adult obedience class
Help your dog become an AKC Canine Good Citizen! We'll prepare students and their dogs to take the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, a program designed to certify dogs who demonstrate good manners at home and in the community. This course is designed to practice all of the skills required to pass the CGC test including sitting politely for petting, accepting a friendly stranger and coming when called. We'll review all ten of the test items and help you resolve any specific issues you may be having with your dog. Week six of this course will be the optional CGC Exam.
Members of the public who do not enroll in a Humane Society training class are also welcome to take the CGC Exam for a nominal fee. Please contact Mariah to schedule an exam date.
Upcoming Group Class Dates and Prices
Basic Manners and Advanced group classes are typically held on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings and run for 6 weeks. These classes are $75 for dogs from any shelter or rescue organization and for dogs who have already taken a class from us. The cost is $90 for all other dogs. Learn about our different class options below or email Mariah at outreach@myhswm.org if you need help deciding which class would be the best fit.
Download all group class registration forms here.
Six-week Basic Manners class: Maximum of six dogs per class allows for one-on-one instruction.
- Tue class beginning May 14 is full!
- Wed class beginning May 29 is full!
- Enrolling now for Tue class 6-7 pm, starts June 25~ 4 spots left
- Enrolling now for Wed class 6:30-7:30, starts July 10~ 6 spots left
Six-week Advanced/ CGC Prep class: Help your dog become an AKC Canine Good Citizen! Dogs must have completed a Basic Manners or similar basic obedience class prior to enrollling in the Advanced class.
- Advanced/ CGC class TBA as students are interested. Please email outreach@myhswm.org to sign up.
For more information or to register for a class, contact Mariah or Jean at 549.HSWM, or email outreach@myhswm.org
Download all class registration forms here.
Topics classes
Off-Leash Hiking with your Dog!
Limited to 4 dogs/class, $60 for all dogs. Class will meet Saturday mornings, start time to be announced.
Do you love walking or hiking with your dog but are nervous about 'taking the leap' off-leash? This is the class for you! In this mini 4-week seminar, you will learn about off-leash etiquette, safety and sharing the trail, how to build a solid recall and working with distractions. Class will be held at the Humane Society and at Blue Mountain hiking area. Dogs must be good with other dogs (both on and off leash) and have attended a basic training class or already have some basic manners. Please contact Mariah at outreach@myhswm.org if you are interested in this exciting class!
Members of the public who do not enroll in a Humane Society training class are also welcome to take the CGC Exam for a nominal fee. Please contact Mariah to schedule an exam date.
Our Philosophy
The Humane Society of Western Montana makes dog training fun, easy and affordable. We believe in positive reinforcement and reward based training methods and we aim to make training enjoyable, relaxing and effective for both you and your dog.
Our Trainers
Lead trainer, Mariah Scheskie is a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed) and a Professional Member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). She has worked at multiple humane organizations and has been training dogs for the past eight years. In addition to dog training, Mariah has experience in handling fearful and aggressive dogs and also in behavior modification and performing behavior assessments. Mariah was recently awarded The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Premier Shelter Staff award for 2009.
All Humane Society trainers receive formal training in addition to extensive hands-on experience. Our humane training program teaches our trainers about how animals learn, why they do what they do and what motivates them- the key to effective training! As members of the Humane Society staff, our trainers are experts in working with companion animals. They receive daily, hands-on experience with dogs, including reading and understanding body language, reinforcing good behaviors and managing and modifying problem behaviors.