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!
Puppy Socialization & Training
We have a number of 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!
Group Training
We offer a number of group classes to provide basic manners like sit, stay, come, walking well on a leash, and more! We also offer intermediate training for pets to stay focused when distractions are presented, intermediate and advanced tricks, and so much more!
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.
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.
puppy Classes
Drop In Puppy Classes
We offer drop-in puppy classes with a variety of subjects to help you raise a well-rounded companion. Our classes are designed for puppies 16 weeks and younger.
You can attend the classes that interest you most or sign up for all 4 to get the full socialization and training experience! If you find your puppy needs a bit more work in one area or another, you can always attend that class again!
Puppies must receive one distemper/parvo vaccinations prior to attending the first class.
Preregister: Puppy Obedience
Preregister: Puppy Exploration
Preregister: Puppy Socialization and Focus
Preregister: Puppy Problem Solving and Scary Stuff
Beginner and intermediate training classes
Starter Skills
We offer group classes to teach your dog basic obedience cues with a focus on loose-leash walking. We also offer intermediate courses and advanced training for continuing education to build your dog’s engagement with you around distractions, advancing their skills for our basic classes, and much more!
All of our classes focus on positive reinforcement and follow LIMA standards.
Sign Up
Tricks Class
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!
All of our classes focus on positive reinforcement and follow LIMA standards.
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Canine Good Citizen Class
Interested in earning a Canine Good Citizen certificate? This class is a preparation course for the test!
The AKC CGC class is a great way to prepare your dog to be well-behaved around a variety of distractions, including other people and other dogs. Not only do certified dogs develop polite behaviors both in and out of the home, but owners may also receive discounts for lodging and home insurance coverage.
The goal of the class is to prepare you for taking the AKC CGC certification within 6 months of the completed course. The cost of testing is included in the class but does not include registration with AKC.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: Dog must be friendly with other people -and- must have already graduated from a basic obedience skills course (ours or another trainer in town with proof of graduation). Must know basic skills like Sit, Down, Stay, Loose Leash Walking.
Sign Up
Advanced Group Training
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!
Sign up Now
private training and dog reactive ClasseS
Behavior Modification: Dog Reactive
- 6-week class
- Tuition $275
- Small classes of 4 or less students
- Clicker and Marker Training Methods
- Appropriate for dogs that are reactive towards other dogs.
- New classes start-up monthly
- 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.
Inquire Here
Private Training Classes
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
- Clicker and Marker Training methods
- Appropriate for animals of all ages and backgrounds
- Contact us to schedule your initial consultation.
Get Started
Webinar: Management for Reactive Dogs
Zoom Webinar (pre-recorded)
- Duration: 1 hour with 15-20 minutes with Q&As
- How dog owners can implement behavior changes into their dog’s reactivity. Learn where management can take place in everyday routines like on walks and in the home and even can even learn a few training tips and tricks.
- $20
Purchase Now
Private lessons are designed to help dogs and their humans with behavior issues such as reactivity, resource guarding, anxiety, aggression, etc. We have trainers that will work with you one on one to modify your dog’s behavior and best address their needs.
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 [email protected].
Meet our Idaho Humane Society trainers!
Vanessa Grenier
Vanessa is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (certified CPDT-KA and ABC) for over a decade with a passion for high-drive, reactive and working dogs. She started her training journey with a 4 dog sled team and after one of her dogs became aggressive towards other animals, dove down the training rabbit hole. With IHS Vanessa has helped train and rehabilitate dogs from hoarding cases, dog fighting rings, and even dogs from Korea.
Vanessa has taught classes at IHS for 11 years now and continues to teach our reactive dog class and advanced skills classes while managing the IHS Behavior Department.
Hillary Hayward
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).
Eva Amador
Eva has been a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT-VSA) since 2021. In 2020, her 4-year-old GSD started developing sight limitations and became reactive to dogs and people. She worked at a doggie daycare, where she met the dog trainer who introduced her to the Victoria Stilwell Academy. After that, she took it upon herself to learn everything she could about training and what she could do to help her dog feel safe and confident.
Her passions are to help others build a trusting, loving, and cooperative relationship with their dog and continuing education. She also enjoys riding her longboard, practicing film photography, or falconry with her husband.