Group Classes
Real-World Training in Real-World Environments
Our group training programs are designed to move beyond the classroom and help dogs and their handlers build practical skills where they matter most.
Classes take place in carefully selected outdoor environments, allowing us to work around natural distractions such as changing surfaces, scents, people, dogs, movement, weather, and distance.
Rather than expecting dogs to simply “behave” around distractions, we teach handlers how to build engagement, improve communication, manage arousal, and progressively strengthen skills in realistic situations.
Our outdoor programs prioritize small class sizes, thoughtful spacing, and individualized coaching so that each dog can work at an appropriate level.
Elevated Essentials
8-Week Outdoor Group Training Course
Includes one Private Initial Consultation + eight weekly outdoor group sessions
Seasonal Program — Spring, Summer & Fall
Elevated Essentials is our signature group training program for dogs and handlers who want to take foundational skills and develop them into reliable, practical behaviours in everyday environments.
The course combines individualized training with progressive group work so that you are not simply practicing obedience exercises — you are learning how to apply those skills around the distractions you encounter on walks, in parks, around other dogs, and throughout daily life.
Why We Start Privately
Every Elevated Essentials enrollment begins with a 90-minute Private Initial Consultation.
Outdoor group training can involve significant distractions, and dogs entering the program may have very different training histories, confidence levels, and learning needs.
The consultation allows us to meet you and your dog individually before entering the group environment.
During this session, we will:
Discuss your training goals and current challenges
Assess your dog's engagement, arousal, and responsiveness
Introduce or refine foundational training mechanics
Establish reinforcement and marker systems
Review appropriate equipment and handling strategies
Discuss management strategies for situations your dog currently finds difficult
Identify the distance and level of distraction your dog is ready to work around
Create a starting plan for your upcoming group sessions
This helps ensure that both you and your dog arrive at the first group class with clear expectations and practical tools already in place.
The Course
Step 1: Private Initial Consultation
90 minutes
Your individual consultation focuses on assessment, training foundations, handler mechanics, and creating a plan that reflects your dog's specific needs.
Step 2: Eight Weekly Outdoor Group Classes
60 minutes each
Over eight progressive sessions, we gradually increase distraction, duration, distance, and environmental difficulty while continuing to strengthen communication between dog and handler.
Depending on the needs of the group, training may include:
Handler engagement and check-ins
Marker training and reinforcement strategies
Loose-leash walking
Position changes and leash handling
Sit, down, and stand
Stay and duration work
Recall foundations
Place or stationing skills
Leave-it and disengagement
Impulse control
Working calmly around other dogs
Neutrality around environmental distractions
Passing dogs and people appropriately
Pattern games and movement exercises
Emergency turns and management skills
Increasing distance and reliability around distractions
Applying obedience skills during realistic walks and outings
Who Is This Program For?
Elevated Essentials may be a good fit for dogs who:
Have some basic training but need more reliability around distractions
Become distracted or overly excited on walks
Need stronger leash skills
Struggle to maintain focus around dogs, people, smells, or movement
Would benefit from practicing obedience outside of a traditional classroom
Need additional impulse-control work
Are ready to practice around other dogs while maintaining appropriate space
Have handlers who want to improve their own timing, leash handling, reinforcement, and communication skills
You do not need to have perfect obedience before joining. The Initial Consultation helps us determine an appropriate starting point for you and your dog.
Is This a Socialization or Play Group?
No.
Dogs will not participate in off-leash group play or direct dog-to-dog greetings during Elevated Essentials.
Our focus is on teaching dogs to work calmly and comfortably in the presence of other dogs, rather than expecting them to interact.
Dogs are given appropriate space based on their individual needs, and distance may change throughout the course as skills develop.
What About Reactive Dogs?
Some dogs who bark, lunge, or become highly aroused around other dogs may require additional individual training before joining an outdoor group environment.
This does not automatically mean your dog cannot participate.
The required Initial Consultation allows us to evaluate your dog's current skill level and determine whether Elevated Essentials is an appropriate next step or whether additional private training would better support you first.
Safety, welfare, and maintaining dogs below threshold take priority over forcing participation in a group environment.
Graduate Drop-In Perk
Have you already completed an Elevated Canine group program?
Keep your dog’s skills sharp all season long! Course graduates are invited to drop into future sessions of their completed class level anytime for a $10 + GST drop-in fee (subject to space availability).