Dog
Training
Training Options We Offer
The Idaho Humane Society offers a range of dog training classes and private lessons to help bring out the full potential of your canine companion.
Our trainers utilize positive reinforcement methods and allow you to teach your dog in an enjoyable, rewarding manner. We focus on building a strong foundation of skills that will help you and your dog navigate a variety of environments.
We have entry-level class options for puppies, adult dogs with little or no training, and reactive or shy dogs. Advanced level classes are available for continuing education.
For those with difficult schedules or who are experiencing behavior problems with their pup, we also offer private lessons catered exactly to you and your dog’s needs. Our goal is to teach you to communicate effectively with your dog and learn the skills to have an enriching and happy life together!
Group & Private Classes: NoN-Reactive Dogs
Puppy Socialization & Training
We have puppy classes to help set your puppy up for success! Classes range from socialization to kick-starting basic manners like sit, stay, come, walking well on a leash and more!
Drop in Puppy Social Hour
One-Time Class | $30 | One hour
Puppies 6 months and younger are welcome to join our puppy social hour. During this hour, our instructor will educate owners about dog to dog interactions and how to shape good play between dogs. You will learn skills to manage their arousal and intensity during play, work on coming away from play when called, and practice taking breaks and calming down after play is over.
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Group training Entry Level Classes
We offer a number of group classes to provide basic manners like sit, stay, come, walking well on a leash, and more!
Starter Skills
6-weeks | $240 | One hour per week
We offer group classes to teach your dog basic obedience cues with a focus on loose-leash walking.
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Rocket Recall Class
4-weeks | $150 | One hour per week
*This course is appropriate for entry-level students. Dogs must be friendly with other dogs to attend.
Looking to improve your dog’s engagement and recall skills? This 4 week class will help you condition a strong recall cue and increase your dog’s focus in off-leash environments. Filled with recall games and plenty of high-level distraction practice, you and your dog will leave this class happy and tired!
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Tricks 101
4-weeks | $150 | One hour per week
Want to have fun with your dog while sharpening their skills and improving their behavior? Join our 4-week trick class that is designed to help you communicate more effectively and easily with your dog. This class is designed to enhance known cues into fun and fast techniques that will develop a fit and engaged canine while impressing people and out and about.
Tricks taught during class will help you gain legs in your AKC Trick Title. Class meets the same day of the week for 4 weeks.
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Private Training
Customized Plan Based on Your Needs
Looking for a more VIP experience with your pet? We’re ready to work with you to provide personal training lessons for problem-solving and basic training.
- In-home and remote training options available
- Customized to meet your training goals
- Appropriate for animals of all ages and backgrounds
- Contact us to schedule your initial consultation
Send Inquiry
Group training Intermediate Classes
We offer intermediate training for pets to stay focused when distractions are presented, intermediate and advanced tricks, and so much more!
Intermediate Skills
4-weeks | $150 | One hour per week
Looking for more training opportunities after graduating basic obedience or puppy course?
We’re offering courses in multiple dog households, building a perfect recall, learning some fun new tricks, and much more?
Inquire here for more opportunities with the IHS training team!
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Service Dog Evaluations
In Person Evaluation
One-Time Class | $100 | One hour
This is the first step in determining if your dog is a service dog candidate. Dogs will be evaluated for temperament, behavior, sociability, current knowledge using established service dog evaluation methods. You’ll receive an evaluation form and recommendations for how to move forward with your training plan at the end of the session.
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One-on-One Private Training
Looking for a more VIP experience with your pet? We’re ready to work with you to provide personal training lessons for problem-solving and basic training.
One-on-One Training
Customized Plan Based on Your Needs
These sessions are personalized by the trainer for the behavior you are experiencing with your dog.
Send Inquiry
Group & Private Classes: Reactive Dogs
dog Reactive only
Behavior Modification: Dog Reactive
6-weeks | $300 | One hour per week
- Small classes of 4 or less students
- Appropriate for dogs that are reactive towards other dogs.
- Requires trainer approval prior to attending
- If you feel like your dog may be a good candidate for this class, please send us an email through the link below.
Send Inquiry
People or Dog Reactive
Private Training for Behavior Modification and Aggression
Customized Plan Based on Your Needs
These sessions are personalized by the trainer for the behavior you are experiencing with your dog. Our trainers are well versed in brushing up on obedience skills to solving different behavior problems like aggression and reactivity.
- Personalized training lessons for problem-solving and basic training
- In-home and remote training options available
- Customized to meet your training goals
- Appropriate for animals of all ages and backgrounds
- Contact us to schedule your initial consultation.
Send Inquiry
Behavior Modification
These classes are designed to help dogs with behavior issues like reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression, and more.
We have private, group, and virtual classes so we can best address your pet’s needs.
One-on-One Training
Customized Plan Based on Your Needs
These sessions are personalized by the trainer for the behavior you are experiencing with your dog.
Send Inquiry
Adult dogs must be current on rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations in order to attend classes or lessons at IHS. Puppies must receive two distemper/parvo vaccinations prior to attending the first class and show continuing vaccination updates as appropriate during the six weeks that classes are held.
All dog training courses take place at our Dorman Campus located at 4775 W Dorman Street, Boise, Idaho 83705.
If you are experiencing behavior problems with your pet and would like to speak with our behavior and training department about resources and solutions, please email dogtraining@idahohumanesociety.org.
Toby is becoming a great trail dog! And getting him to be a great trail dog was my first training priority because I spend time on the trails every day, several times a day. I get so many compliments on what a well-behaved dog he is! Thank you for teaching me how to train Toby to be such a good boy!
Bob and I were in your Reactive Dog class our pit bull terrier mix, Isa. We are happy to report that Isa now has a dog friend with whom we can take a normal walk side by side on leash. Isa’s pulling and whining when she encounters other dogs while walking has also decreased dramatically to almost nothing on most walks. As the Shelter says, after a year with you, your adoptee will be a different dog. Isa is now confident, has discovered the world, and grabs a little more of our hearts each day. Thanks for giving us skills to help her. They have made a big difference for all three of us.
You need to know what an important impact your training has had for all of us. We are impressed with your knowledge, intuition, and expertise for both canine and human behaviors. You gave us much to think about and to practice with her. Your instructions are clear, and you don’t mind repeating when we were overloaded with information. Thank you to Vanessa for the terrific experience we’ve had with training our Murphy.
Meet our Idaho Humane Society trainers!
Vanessa Grenier
CPDT-KA, ABCDT
Vanessa has been teaching classes and training professionally at IHS for 15 years and currently manages the IHS Behavior Department. She has a passion for working breeds and helping shelter dogs find success in their adoptive homes. Vanessa believes that continued education is extremely important in the field and is always updating and improving training techniques based on new research. She also helps with canine research in conjunction with BSU and has taught seminars for the BFAS, and HSUS. Vanessa currently teaches classes for IHS as well as provides private training lessons for dogs with behavior concerns. She currently shares her home with a giant tom cat, 4 dogs she’s adopted from IHS, and the occasional foster puppy.
Hillary Hayward
CPDT-KA & AKC CGC Evaluator
Hillary Hayward is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and AKC CGC evaluator who has been training dogs professionally since 2007. She was the Behavior Dept Manager at Mountain Humane for 10 years before moving to the Treasure Valley. She joined the Behavior team at IHS and is thrilled to be working alongside a team that is fluent in the most progressive training techniques and experienced working with dogs of various behavior needs.
Besides teaching classes, her biggest passion is working with ornery dogs (especially Cattle Dogs and Chihuahuas).