Our Services
HSWM Dog Training Classes
Upcoming Class Dates and Prices
Six-week Puppy Kindergarten class: $90 or $75 for shelter or rescue pups. Maximum of eight puppies per class allows for one-on-one instruction and ample socialization time. Monday evening classes are from 6:30-7:30 pm. A minimum of four puppies is required for the class to run. Puppies must have at least one distemper vaccine and be current on booster vaccinations as age appropriate.
- Puppy K class beginning on July 14 is full!
- Upcoming Puppy K class TBA
Six-week Basic Manners class: $90 or $75 for shelter or rescue dogs or dogs who have already attended our Puppy Kindergarten class. Maximum of six dogs per class allows for one-on-one instruction. Tuesday evening classes are held from 6-7 pm and Monday and Wednesday classes are from 6:30-7:30 pm.
- Tuesday Basic Manners class beginning August 3rd is full!
- Monday Basic Manners class beginning September 13 is full!
Six-week Advanced/ CGC Prep class: $90 or $75 for shelter or rescue dogs or dogs who have already attended our Basic Manners class or a similar basic obedience class.
- Next class TBA. Please email Mariah to schedule a CGC test or inquire about upcoming Advanced classes.
For more information or to register for a class, contact Mariah or Katy at 549.HSWM, or email outreach@myhswm.org
Download all class registration forms here.
Our Classes
Puppy Kindergarten- Six week class for puppies up to 4 1/2 months old
This 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 be addressed in this class. These classes provide the foundation to raising a polite and social companion.
Basic Manners- Six week class for dogs 4 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 an HSWM 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 Pet Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed) and a 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 HSWM 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 HSWM's staff, our trainers are experts in companion animals. They receive daily, hands-on experience with dogs, including learning to read and understand body language, reinforcing good behaviors and managing and modifying problem behaviors.