Your pets aren’t the only ones who can benefit from training. As their two-legged family member, there is always more to learn about how you can make your pets’ lives happier, healthier and safer! Below, you’ll find classes that will teach you valuable skills and knowledge that will strengthen the bond you share with your pets. Be sure to read our cancellation policy before completing your registration. If you have questions about any of our course offerings or prefer to register by phone or email, contact Animal Friends University.
Email | 412.847.7035
Human Training Classes
Chaos to Calm: Managing and Helping Your Leash Reactive Dog
Leash reactive dogs are those who overreact to typical things in the environment– dogs, people, animals, cars – while on a walk. Join us for ideas to manage and begin to modify your dog’s reactive behavior. We will explain and demonstrate techniques that you can use on walks, discuss dog body language and help you to understand your dog’s emotional state which causes reactivity. Please note that we can not provide a personalized behavior modification plan at this class, but will provide information and resources.
This is a human-only workshop; please leave your canine companion at home!
Date: Saturday, December 9 REGISTER
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $30 per dog family (dog family members 16 years of age or older are welcome to attend!)
Cooperative Care: Help Your Dog to be a Willing Participant in Basic Care
Cooperative care involves training an animal to not only tolerate handling, but also to be an active and willing participant in experiences such as proper nail care, dental care, brushing, grooming, cleaning of eyes, ears and more. We will review what consent is, how to get our dog’s consent and how important it is to respect their choice if they remove consent.
This is a human-only workshop; please leave your canine companion at home!
Date: Saturday, January 20 Register
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $30 per dog family (dog family members 16 years of age or older are welcome to attend!)
Think and Learn Like Your Dog: How Dogs Learn and Socialize
We will discuss how dogs learn in order to build better relationships in training with our four-legged companions. This workshop also covers socialization: what it is, what it is not. We will review how to properly socialize your puppy during the critical stages or how to train remedial socialization for your adult dog.
This is a human-only workshop; please leave your canine companion at home!
Date: Saturday, January 27 Register
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Do You Really Know Your Dog: Behavior Influences
Have we simply forgotten who our dogs are, the history that we share with them? “Behavior problems” are unnatural and tell us that something is terribly wrong beneath the surface. Understanding is the missing key to helping them. Not understanding can lead to wrong expectations about it, and that will lead to frustration (for both ends of the leash).
This class is geared toward those that wish to understand the domesticated dog, and how all behavior has a purpose and finding out about the behavior is often rooted in a dogs L.E.G.S. (learning, environment, genetics and self).
This is a human-only workshop; please leave your canine companion at home!
Date: Saturday, February 10 Register
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $30 per dog family (dog family members 16 years of age or older are welcome to attend!)
Instructors: Rebecca Hilbert, CPDT-KA, FDM, CCDT, MBA, Lisa Bartel, CPDT-KA, DN-CET
Pet CPR and First Aid
This class will teach you the life-saving skills and knowledge that will enable you to be there for your pets when they need you the most! Topics include, but not limited to, rescue breathing, bleeding protocols, choking management, heat/cold injuries, bites, stings, poisoning, seizures, fractures and limb injuries. Class size limited to 15 students to allow for individualized instruction. Certification provided upon completion of the class.
This is a human-only class; please leave your canine companion at home!
Date: Sunday, February 25 Register
Time: 11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $90 per person – includes all training materials, training certificate and light refreshments. A portion of the proceeds benefit Animal Friends.
Instructor: Karen Sable