Group Classes
A Personal Touch. Good Doggy Saratoga is committed to personalized and custom training, and we took that commitment into the creation of our group classes. Small class size with a maximum student-to-teacher ratio of 3:1 (six total dogs with two instructors) ensure plenty of personal attention for everyone. Our unique group class seminars offer flexible scheduling and content options so you get everything you want and nothing you don't.
Group classes are for friendly dogs to learn better behaviors. The group class seminars we offer are designed for friendly, confident dogs of all ability levels and training histories. Dogs with aggression, fear, or anxiety issues that aren't comfortable in a group environment should go through private coaching.
Unique style in stand-alone seminars. Each class is designed as a stand-alone seminar to build a set of themed skills. Students are able to take the same class multiple times as they improve their skills, allowing for more flexibility in scheduling and offering focused advancement at the skillset involved. If you're only interested in improving the skills in a single seminar, take just that seminar as many times as you like to continue improving. You're not locked into a strict curriculum of skills you're not interested in practicing. Different sized packages allow additional customization and choices to allow you to work towards your exact goals.
Location. All classes will be held in the training area at Milton Manor Pet Resort & Spa (612 NY-29 in Middle Grove). We offer the following group class seminars to choose from:
Tails on the Trails
For those that like to hike with their dogs. These classes are designed with people who like to hike the trails with their dogs in mind, but the skills learned are good for a variety of environments. Polite leash walking and strong recalls are the central focus and the primary skills enhanced during Tails on the Trails seminars.
Polite leash walking. Your dog will learn to walk near you both on and off leash while allowing them freedom to explore their environment. Our goal is to allow dogs to sniff freely and relax while walking without pulling on the leash or tying up their human through mindless wandering. The skills you'll learn in class will always be practiced on leash during class work for safety purposes, but can be practiced at home off leash and used in safe areas that allow off leash dogs.
Recall is the ability to call your dog to you. When out and about with your dog it's important to be able to get them to come to you no matter what, and that's exactly what you'll learn to practice in Tails on the Trails.
Relaxed Rover
Help your dog learn to relax. Whether you want a dog that can calm down while you and your family watch a movie in the living room, or the ability to sit at a coffee shop's outside patio with your dog comfortable and chill at your feet, this seminar is for you.
Relaxation Exercises. In Relaxed Rover these exercises are taught alongside a few basic obedience cues including "down" and "go to spot." A down cue gets your dog to lay with both rear end and elbows touching the ground. Go to spot can be used in several different environments to get your dog to lay in their bed while you eat dinner, go to a kennel during a car ride, or move out of the entryway of your home while guests arrive. The limits are up to your imagination.
The skills in Relaxed Rover work on their own, but also pair well with those learned in Downtown Doggy and Impulse Control, depending on your personal goals.
Downtown Doggy
For walking your dogs where it’s busy. The Downtown Doggy seminars focus on skills used while walking your dog in distracting areas such as Broadway or Congress park during track season. The skills learned are a focused heel and greeting strangers politely.
Heel is a prolonged focus activity in which the dog holds their attention on the handler and walks very close to them. You'll learn to have your dog stay at your side while you walk near other people and dogs, and to hold your dog's attention while walking past fun things like trash cans or restaurants.
Polite Greetings. You'll learn will to reduce how often your dog jumps on strangers and replace jumping with a polite sit behavior to ask for attention.
Impulse Control
Impulse control is the ability to delay gratification. The skills we use to teach your dog impulse control are stay, wait, and leave-it.
Stay is an important behavior that can save lives. It is a strict "hold this position until I say otherwise" that can be used in a variety of instances, including dangerous situations like if your dog gets across the street from you off leash. Wait is an informal version of stay that lets the dog change position and generally just means "chill here until I give you something else to do."
Leave-it teaches the dog what they're never allowed to have. Whether it's socks and shoes, or countertops and tables, leave-it can be used to keep your dog away from it.
Life Skills
Essential life skills for routine care. Your dog will need to be handled. Veterinarians, groomers, friends, family, and even strangers will all at some point want to or need to touch your dog. This class focuses on making sure your dog can handle polite touching, with an emphasis on practical skills such as brushing teeth, trimming nails, brushing, and veterinary care like administering medications.
Handling skills will include a wide variety of applications. From routine grooming care to more involved veterinary exams, the handling skills taught in this class will help your dog to remain calm and carry on instead of being stressed out.
Muzzle conditioning is a vital skill for all dogs. Any dog could be in an accident, and when injured they’re more likely to bite. A dog in a veterinary hospital with, for example, a broken leg is at a much higher likelihood to bite regardless of how friendly they normally are. You’ll learn how to select an appropriate muzzle and how to teach your dog to enjoy wearing it. This prevents added stress in the event of an emergency when a muzzle is called for.
Group Class Packages
Single Session
If you only want to attend one seminar, whether to just try us out or because you only need a touch-up to your skill set, this is the option for you. Attend a single session of your choice with no obligation to attend more classes.
Use the calendar below to select the seminar you'd like to attend.
$65.00 + tax
The Good Doggy Package
The Good Doggy Package is the best entry-level package to get you started towards your training goals and includes attendance in five seminars of your choice. You can attend each of the five seminars that exist once each, or attend the same seminar five times and become a master of those skills. It's entirely up to you!
The first time (per dog) you purchase the Good Doggy Package, it includes a free Good Doggy Saratoga training treat pouch!
$300.00 + tax (save $25 + free treat pouch and notebook!)
The Ultimate Learning Package
The Ultimate Learning Package is for people who want it all. With fifteen seminars included you have the total flexibility to master every skill we teach. As with the Good Doggy Package, you have complete freedom over which seminars you attend so you can focus only on the skills you care about building. There's no better way to get a group class training experience that customizes itself to exactly what you want!
The first time (per dog) you purchase the Ultimate Learning Package, it includes a free Good Doggy Saratoga training treat pouch and a Good Doggy Saratoga training notebook!
$750.00 + tax (save $225 + free treat pouch and notebook!)
Upcoming Class Dates and Times
Select your class from the list below to sign up!
Requirements: Dogs attending any Group Class seminar should be generally friendly towards people and other dogs. Dogs that exhibit fear or aggression towards other dogs or people should receive a Formal Assessment towards private behavior modification. Vaccination against Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough) is also mandatory for all dogs in group classes. We must have proof of vaccination from your vet prior to the first class you attend, or we will have to send you away. Because class sizes are limited, we cannot refund fees paid if you're turned away due to a lack of proof of vaccination. The class sign-up process includes instructions on how to get vaccination information to us on time. For The Good Doggy Package, classes must be scheduled within sixty days of purchasing the package. For The Ultimate Learning package, classes must be scheduled within one hundred eighty days of purchasing the package. Unused sessions of a package are not able to be refunded.
