Group Dog Training Classes Near Me
Group dog training classes are held regularly throughout the year across our regions.
These obedience classes are a perk of our Relief Right Now, Trainer On Retainer Program and Priority Program. Group class covers basic obedience, intermediate obedience, advanced obedience, Canine Good Citizen skills, and more.
We have four levels of group training classes to ensure your success
Level 1: Calm Canines
Build Calmness, Engagement & Confidence Around Distractions
Calm Canines is our foundational group class for dogs that struggle to relax, focus, or remain calm around everyday distractions.
The goal of this class is not simply obedience. We want dogs to learn how to regulate themselves, engage with their handlers, and work successfully around the things that normally capture their attention.
You’ll Work On
- Building engagement with your dog
- Reducing fixation on dogs, people, and environmental distractions
- Relaxing while on leash
- Settling calmly on a place mat
- Loose-leash walking
- Helping your dog disengage from distractions
- Recognizing your dog’s stress signals and body language
- Learning when to redirect, create distance, or reward your dog
Graduation Criteria
You and your dog are ready to move to Level 2 when:
- Your dog notices a trigger and voluntarily looks back to you.
- Your dog can relax on leash or on place for several minutes.
- You and your dog can walk down a line of cones on a loose leash.
- You consistently recognize, manage, and redirect your dog before reactions occur.
What to Bring
- Well-fitted collar, harness, or head halter
- Six-foot leash
- Place mat
- Chair for the owner
- High-value treats
If your dog is already conditioned to wear a muzzle, please bring it to class.
Level 2: Everyday Essentials
Turn Foundational Skills Into Everyday Obedience
Everyday Essentials is the next step after Calm Canines.
At this level, we begin asking for more obedience around distractions while continuing to prioritize engagement and emotional control.
This class bridges the gap between foundational training and the more advanced obedience required in Civil Citizens.
You’ll Work On
- Loose-leash walking
- Engagement while moving
- Sit and down stays
- Recall
- Impulse control
- Calm greetings
- Working around other dog-and-handler teams
- Maintaining obedience around distractions
Graduation Criteria
You and your dog are ready to move to Level 3 when:
- You can walk down a line of cones on a loose leash and your dog sits when you stop.
- Your dog can maintain a sit-stay and down-stay while you walk a circle around them.
- Your dog remains calm while a person approaches and walks past without jumping, barking, or avoidance.
- Your dog maintains engagement while you move left, right, and around them.
- Your dog comes when called and sits promptly.
- You and your dog can walk past another dog-and-handler team while maintaining a loose leash and engagement.
What to Bring
- Well-fitted collar, harness, or head halter
- Six-foot leash
- Treats
Level 3: Civil Citizens
Prepare for the Canine Good Citizen Test
Civil Citizens is our Canine Good Citizen-level group class. AKC’s Canine Good Citizen
At this stage, you and your dog will begin working in closer proximity to other dogs and people while developing the obedience, neutrality, and handling skills required for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
Class curriculum rotates through a variety of skills so you and your dog can continue practicing in different situations and around different distractions.
You’ll Work On
- Polite greetings
- Handling and grooming tolerance
- Loose-leash walking
- Walking through crowds
- Sit and down stays
- Recall
- Passing other dogs calmly
- Neutrality around unexpected sounds and movement
- Remaining calm when separated from the owner
- Preparing for the Canine Good Citizen test
Graduation Criteria
Your dog should be able to:
- Stay by your side while a friendly stranger approaches.
- Sit politely for petting.
- Appear well groomed and tolerate their feet, ears, and body being handled.
- Walk on a loose leash and easily follow your turns and stops.
- Walk calmly through a crowd.
- Sit and down on cue and remain in place.
- Come when called.
- Walk calmly past another dog on a loose leash.
- Remain neutral when exposed to a loud noise or sudden movement.
- Remain calm while left with another person for three minutes.
Dogs that earn their Canine Good Citizen award are invited to continue their training in Level 4.
Level 4: Advanced Obedience, Therapy & Service Skills
Your Training Doesn’t End With the CGC
Level 4 is designed for dogs and handlers who want to keep progressing beyond basic obedience.
This class is open to dogs that have earned their Canine Good Citizen award, as well as Sally Said So clients working toward therapy-dog or service-dog goals. There will be opportunities to practice skills that lead to advanced obedience titles such as the AKC’s Community Canine and Urban CGC.
The focus shifts from practicing skills in a controlled class environment to applying those skills in the real world.
You’ll Work On
- Advanced obedience
- Greater duration and distraction
- Public-access skills
- Neutrality around people and dogs
- Advanced leash handling
- Real-world recalls
- Environmental confidence
- Therapy-dog preparation
- Service-dog foundations
- Public outings and field trips
Class locations and activities may vary as we take training into increasingly realistic environments.
Why Our Group Classes Are Different
Good group training should not simply place every dog in the same environment and expect them to perform.
Dogs learn best when the level of distraction matches their current abilities.
Our four-level curriculum allows dogs to gradually progress from learning how to remain calm around distractions to performing reliable obedience in challenging, real-world environments.
As your dog develops better engagement, emotional control, and obedience, we increase the difficulty.
The result is a training experience designed to build confidence and reliability rather than simply getting through a checklist of commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every dog have to start in Calm Canines?
No. The appropriate starting level depends on your dog’s current skills, behavior, and training history.
If you are unsure which class is appropriate, ask your Sally Said So trainer for guidance.
What happens if my dog does not pass the graduation skills?
Keep practicing!
You are welcome to continue attending your current class until you and your dog are ready to move forward.
There is no penalty for repeating a level.
Can I continue attending a class after my dog graduates?
Yes. Additional practice is always valuable, particularly if your dog would benefit from more experience around distractions.
I currently attend Civil Citizens. Do I need to move back to Everyday Essentials?
No.
Clients who were already attending Civil Citizens before the November 2026 curriculum update are welcome to attend both Everyday Essentials and Civil Citizens.
My dog already has a CGC. Which class should I attend?
You are invited to attend Advanced Obedience, Therapy & Service Skills.
Can therapy-dog and service-dog clients attend Level 4?
Yes.
Clients currently working with Sally Said So toward therapy-dog or service-dog goals are encouraged to attend Level 4.
Priority Program
Group Classes- 12 months of unlimited group classes with expert guidance at home. Financing and monthly payment plans available through ScratchPay.
- 1x Consultation
- 1x Refresher – use as you choose
- 12 months of group training classes
