Training in Salem

Best Beginnings

$180 for six weeks of training. Puppies attending should be 9 to 15 weeks old at the start of class.

In this fun and informative class, you will learn how to set your puppy up for success in your home. You’ll discover how to handle play-biting and potty training and learn how to teach your puppy cues like sit, down, come, and name recognition.  In addition, your puppy will have time to safely socialize with other puppies in your class.

Puppies attending should be 9 to 15 weeks old at the start of class. If your pup will be 16 weeks or older when class begins, please sign up for either our Adolescent Manners Class or our Level 1 Class in Levels instead.

The first class is for people only, please leave your puppy at home.

Class Requirements

Please limit attendance to 2 people. Please contact us if you need to make an exception or bring your children to class. If you (or anyone in your household) are not feeling well, please stay home.

Your puppy must be:

• Between 9 and 15 weeks of age at the START of class (not at the time you sign you up online).
• Up-to-date on vaccinations. Your puppy must have received at least one round of a distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to starting class. Bordetella vaccine is recommended. Rabies vaccination and spay/neuter are not required since dogs are under 7 months of age.
• Healthy and free of any symptoms of illness. No coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. within 24 hours of class.

Young Learners

$180 for six weeks of training. Puppies attending should be 16 to 24 weeks (4-6 Months) old at the start of class.

This is a great stand-alone class, or continuation of our Best Beginnings. We will focus on practicing attention, walking on leash and recall around distractions through a variety of fun pattern games, we will cover impulse regulation exercises, such as “stay” and “leave it” and calm relaxation around distractions. We will cover appropriate play and interactions with other dogs and people.

Class Requirements

Please limit attendance to 2 people. Please contact us if you need to make an exception or bring your children to class. If you (or anyone in your household) are not feeling well, please stay home.

Your puppy must be:

• Between 16 and 24 weeks (4-6 months) of age at the START of class (not at the time you sign you up online).
• Up-to-date on vaccinations. Your puppy must have received at least one round of a distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to starting class. Bordetella vaccine is recommended. Rabies vaccination and spay/neuter are not required since dogs are under 7 months of age.
• Healthy and free of any symptoms of illness. No coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. within 24 hours of class.

Puppy Playtime

Puppy Playtime 1 is for puppies 9 – 13 weeks 
Puppy Playtime 2 is for puppies 11 – 18 weeks

$20 per session

During our Puppy Playtime you can introduce your puppy to other healthy puppies and allow them to interact and socialize! Helping your puppy learn the appropriate way to play with other Pups can help prevent behavioral problems as they mature. In between play sessions, our certified dog trainers give you some basic tips and apply simple training games so you will have the best relationship possible with your puppy!

• If your puppy has shown signs of fear or aggression towards other puppies, please call us at (503) 585-5900 ext. 318 or email us prior to attending.
• If there is not a “sign up now” button on the widget, then the Romp you are interested in attending is sold out. Please continue to check back for spots to open up, as people tend to cancel at the last minute. Walk-ins are not allowed during this time.

Romp Requirements

Please limit attendance to 2 people to attend Romp with your pup. Please contact us if you need to make an exception or bring your children to class. If you (or anyone in your household) are not feeling well, please stay home.

Your puppy must be:

• Attending the romp appropriate for their age (i.e.: 9 – 13 weeks; 11 – 18 weeks).
• If your puppy age falls in with both classes, and you pup has never been to a romp before, please sign up for Puppy Romp 1.
• Up-to-date on vaccinations. Your puppy must have received at least one round of a distemper/parvo combination vaccine at least seven days prior to attending Romp. Bordetella vaccine is recommended. Rabies vaccination and spay/neuter are not required since dogs are under 1 year of age.
• Healthy and free of any symptoms of illness. No coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. within 24 hours of Romp.
• Please be sure your puppy is wearing a well-fitted collar or harness and a 4 – 6 foot leash that they can drag during play. Please bring a variety of treats with you as well.
• If your puppy is not fully vaccinated, we recommend carrying them from your car into Manners Hall. We clean and disinfect Manners Hall before each Romp, so your puppy can safely play on the floor.

If there is not a “sign up now” button on the widget, then the Romp you are interested in attending is sold out. Please continue to check back for spots to open up, as people tend to cancel at the last minute. Walk-ins are not allowed during this time.

Tweens and Teens

$180 for six weeks of training. For dogs 6 – 18 months of age

This class will help you through the challenge of dog adolescence. Using positive reinforcement, we will review basic cues plus learn new ways to deal with adolescent behaviors such as demanding attention and leash walking. The focus will be on teaching your teenage puppy to make appropriate choices, apply self-control around distractions, and grow to be a polite and well-socialized adult dog!

Life Skills 1:

$180 for six weeks of classes – For dogs four months and up

The first week of class is for humans only. Please leave your dog at home. We look forward to training with the canine half of your team for the next five weeks!

Life Skills 1 is our version of Basic Manners Classes. Examples of what you will learn in Life Skills 1 is:

• Beginning Come when Called
• Beginning “leave it”
• Beginning “go to bed”
• “Wait” at the door
• Focus & Attention Exercises
• Intro to loose leash walking
• Managing Polite Greetings
• Routine Settle
• “Touch” Hand Targeting
• Sit, Down, and Stay
• Intro to Heel
• Routine Settle and Polite Greetings Continued

Please note: Dogs who display aggression towards other dogs or humans are not appropriate for this class. Please contact us to schedule a private training session.

Life Skills 2:

$180 for six weeks of classes. For dogs four months and up

Life Skills 2 continues on from Life Skills 1. You and your dog will learn new skills such as:

• Beginning “drop it”
• Calm greeting guests
• Loose Leash Walking with Increased Focus
• “Watch” on Cue
• Learning a trick!
• Advanced “leave it”
• Advanced “drop it”
• Heel with Side Sit
• Stay with Increased Distance and Distraction
• Come When Called with Increased Distance
• “Advanced “go to bed” (adding distance and duration)
• Generalizing learned cues to new environments

Prerequisites

Graduation from Life Skill 1, or Tweens & Teens or instructor approval.

Life Skills 3:

$180 for six weeks of classes

We take what you have learned in Life Skills 1 and 2 and we take the training on-the-road! We will be exploring canine-friendly venues around Salem with your classmates and their dogs. Training your dog for polite public behavior was never more fun!

Public Smart Start is a seasonal outdoor course offered in late spring, summer, and early fall.

Prerequisites

Graduation from Life Skills 2, or graduate of Private Training or instructor approval.

Smart Games

$120 for four weeks of training – For Dogs 4 months and up

Looking for something fun and educational to do with your dog? Then join us for “Smart Games” where you will learn how to use games and tricks to train basic manners and provide your dog with exercise as well as much needed mental enrichment. We will teach you low impact activities good for adolescents and seniors alike that combine training with enjoyment and highlight all the opportunities for you to apply the techniques in the real world. A basic knowledge of marker training is helpful but not required! This lively class is for dogs 4 months and older, and we welcome more than one handler per dog so that the whole family can join in on the fun!

Week 1 – Fun Tricks
Week 2 – Agility
Week 3 – Parkour
Week 4 – Scent Games

Dog Parkour

$120 for four weeks of training – For dogs 1 year and up

This exciting, non-competitive training course introduces your dog to fun new obstacles and challenges, including jumps and platforms, for climbing, balancing, crawling, and going around.

Parkour enhances body awareness, increases range of motion and balance, and builds confidence.

Prerequisites

Your dog should know sit and down

Dog Reactivity Smart 1

$150 for four weeks of training. For dogs eight months and up

Does your dog lunge and bark when they see other dogs when out on a walk? In this class you will learn strategic management tools, safe leash handling and positive training techniques that will help create a calmer dog and handler and make walk-time more enjoyable.

We’ll lead you through guided practice sessions with progressively more difficult triggers, building up to exercises around one other dog to help teach and encourage calm, appropriate behavior. By the end of the course, you will have a lot of skills and increased confidence to continue training with your dog at home and out in the world.

For more practice, you have the option to enroll in this course a second time!

Dog Reactivity Smarts does not address off-leash aggression issues. If your dog is reactive towards people, worried about new environments, or if you’d just like to focus more on loose-leash walking and impulse control, try our in-person or virtual private classes.

Please note: The first class is for humans only. Please do not bring your dog to class. This class is for dogs who have never bitten another dog. If your dog has bitten another dog please contact us for other options.

Dog Reactivity Smart 2

$150 for four weeks of training. For dogs eight months and up

This 4 week class is for Graduates of Dog Reactivity Smart 1 (or graduates of private training with instructor’s permission) and allows dogs and handlers to further hone and practice their on-leash skills. Using games and cues we will work to close the distance between dog and trigger and also encourage the dogs to remain calm and focused with distractions at a greater intensity. Outdoor activities may be included, weather permitting. This is an ideal way to get more practice if you are struggling to find controlled set-ups out in the world, if it’s been a while since you took Dog Reactivity Smart 1, or if you want to keep training momentum going after the first Dog Reactivity Smart series. You and your dog are welcome to enroll in this 4 week class more than once, to keep practicing.

Canine Good Citizen Preparation Course

$150* for five weeks of training. For dogs 1 year and up.

*Exam will be given on the last week. The OHS-Salem exam fee is included in the class fee.

CGC Prep Class is an advanced 5-week class for graduates of our Life Skills courses. It covers exercises to prepare you and your dog for the CGC test. We will learn how to help our dog be successful with the 10 skill elements of the test, such as: greeting strangers politely, basic loose leash walking, stay and calmly passing another dog.  The last week of the class is devoted to the test itself.

Prerequisites

• Dogs need to be 1 year or older at the start of the class.
• Have completed Life Skills 1 and Life Skills 2, or completed Teens & Tweens
• Positive Reinforcement training experience in a group class setting is required.
• Owners need to be familiar with marker training.
• Owners need to be able to recognize their dogs’ calming signals.

NOTE: As in all our classes, treats and positive reinforcement methods are used. As a reminder, flexible/extendable leashes, leash corrections, choke chains, prong collars, or shock collars are not allowed.

This class is seasonal, if you are interested in attending this class but do not see it available, please request it here.

AKC Novice Trick Dog Course

$120 for four weeks of training. For dogs four months and up

Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles!

In our course, you will learn how to teach your dog the following ten tricks:

Crawl, Get in a box, High Five, Hoop, Paws up, Push up, Shake, Sit in a box, Spin & Twist (aka Turn), Touch – And many bonus tricks!

The last week of the course will be exam day! You & your dog will be tested on ten tricks (five tricks if your dog has an AKC CGC title) and could earn their AKC Novice Trick Dog title.

For more information check out the AKC Trick Dog Website: https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/.

*Exam will be given during last week. The OHS-Salem exam fee is included in the class cost. AKC Charges additional fee for registration and certificate.

This class is seasonal, if you are interested in attending this class but do not see it available, please request it here.

Are you at your wits’ end because of your kitten’s or cat’s behavior? We can help! All of our cat training classes are live virtual classes where you will receive training and information, and be able to ask your questions. Because these are virtual classes where you will be working with your cat at your home, you can take these classes from anywhere.

All of our cat and kitten classes are virtual as cats are more comfortable in their own home and respond better to training.

Kitten-garten Class for Kittens

$95 for four weeks of training

Kittens 6 months and younger

Congratulations on your new kitten! There is so much for a kitten to learn, let us get started in the right paw with the fun and informative virtual class.

Learn some fundamentals to make tasks easier, like nail trims, and how to make the crate and car less scary! Learn some fun tricks, like how to sit or give high-five. This class will prepare your kitten for a better adulthood.

Cat Specialty Virtual Classes

In the following 1-hour specialty virtual classes you and your cat will learn different techniques that will boost your cat’s confidence and improve your cat’s mental stimulation. You will have some bonding time with your cat, both during the class and after with the skills you will learn.

Things to know:

• This class is for cats 2 months and up
• Please have your cats’ favorite treats available for the class
• We recommend that your cat is familiar with clicker or marker training before taking one of these classes as this will help with some of the training. You can rent our Introduction to Clicker Training Video here (insert link). A target stick with a clicker is a great tool to use with cats for clicker training.
• We use Zoom for our virtual classes. Please be sure to enable emails when signing up for our classes to be sure you receive the Zoom link.

Virtual Introducing your new Kitten or Cat to a Resident Pet

$25 for 1-hour Class

Bringing a new kitten or cat home has a lot of emotions for everyone. A slow introduction is important, as well as the setup of your home and the process before the introduction. Learn tips and techniques to make the process as stress free as possible in this 1-hour class.

9/28/23 7pm Class

Virtual Counter Surfing and other Unwanted Cat Behaviors

$25 for 1-hour Class

Jumping on the counter is common for cats to do – they are closer to you, they find good stuff to eat, and they can explore, but that is not always the best for them or you. Learn alternative behaviors that will keep both you and your cat happier. These alternatives will also work for keeping your cat off of the woodstove, fireplace or other places you do not want them.

8/31/23 7pm Class

Virtual Feline Enrichment Class

$25 for 1-hour Class

Cats are very curious and smart and need daily enrichment to give them mental and physical stimulation, especially if they are indoor only. This class will teach you how to create positive experiences for your cat to be less stressed and less bored, while helping their mind and body to be more active.

9/14/23 7pm Class

Virtual Adventures with Your Cat

$25 for 1-hour Class

Do you and your cat want to take adventures together? Cats going out on hikes, going camping and just going for a walk is becoming popular in the Pacific NW. Learn the steps and tools you will need to have your cat feel comfortable going out in the world with you. These include using a harness, what to do when a dog is on the same path as you, creating a safe space for your cat and more. You and your cat will get a strong bond and your cat will enjoy all the new sights and smells.

9/21/23 7pm Class

Virtual Cat Carriers, Car Rides and Vet Visits – Oh My!

$25 for 1-hour Class

Is it a struggle to get your cat in the carrier? Do you and your cat dread what will happen next when the carrier comes out? Learn how to make these needed tasks less stressful with tools, tips, and education in this class. You, your cat and your vet will appreciate it.

9/7/23

On-Demand Training Videos

We have several videos with training tip and helpful advice for both cats and dogs. These videos can be watched multiple times for a period of 30 days. Click here to for more information.

Private Lesson

Do you need training advice with your puppy or dog? Maybe you need help starting off in the right direction with your new puppy or maybe you are having behavior problems? We can help!

During a one-on-one consultation, we will address your specific needs. You will learn easy to implement techniques to improve your pet’s behavior using positive reinforcement to train desired responses. We offer one-time sessions, or you can purchase a package with multiple visits. Visits for dogs and puppies can be in person at OHS-Salem or be virtual.

If you need a private training for your cat or kitten, please click here for a virtual private class with one of our Portland trainers.

We Can Help With:

• Shy/Fearful behaviors
• Preparing your pet for a baby
• Multi-pet Household problems
• Puppy Training
• Leash Reactivity
• A new pet adjust to their new home
• And more!

We specialize in helping pets with special needs and pets from shelters.

Cost

A single 45-minute lesson is $85.

A three-pack of 45-minute lessons is $225.

Consultation fees are per household, not pet. Let us know in the “Dog’s (or Dogs’) Name” field if you plan to have two pets with you. If bringing two dogs to an appointment at OHS, please have a handler for each dog.

Prerequisite

• Behavior description: In your confirmation email, you will have a link to click on to go to a questionnaire. You will be asked several questions during your registration regarding your dog’s behavior. Please answer them as accurately as possible to help us create a training plan catered to your dog’s needs.

Virtual Navigating Canine Adolescence Live Presentation

$25 for 1-hour class. People only.

Be sure to opt in to emails to receive Zoom link

Are you seeing more challenging behavior from your dog now that they are between 5 months and 2 years old? Jumping on people, easily distracted, acting like a leash gremlin and sometimes driving you crazy—it might seem like they forgot everything learned in puppy class. This is normal! Your dog is a canine adolescent, which can start as early as 16-17 weeks, and these “teenage years” are a particularly difficult time for both the dogs and their people. Learn how to use positive reinforcement training, games, and management techniques to guide your dog into a stress-free, happy adulthood.

10/25/23 7 pm Class

Virtual What is my dog telling me?

$25 for 1 hour class. People Only.

Be sure to opt in to emails to receive Zoom link

During this interactive presentation, you’ll learn how dogs express themselves using body language. Keep your dog happy and safe by learning how to tell when he’s worried or unhappy. This is a great class for all dog owners – especially those who visit dog parks, have kids at home or who have just adopted a new dog.

Check back for next class

Help for your Leash-Reactive Dog Live Presentation

$25 for 1 hour class. People Only.

Be sure to opt in to emails to receive Zoom link

Is it a struggle to walk your dog because they bark and lunge, or they pay attention to everything in the environment other than you? This virtual seminar will cover causes and treatment options for reactive behavior of any kind, with special focus on the leash-reactive dog. Led by an instructor from our popular Reactive Rover class, students in this one-hour class will learn about positive training techniques, habit changes and management techniques that can improve walks with enough practice and consistency. Attendees will also get information about group classes and private training that may help them reach their goals.

10/17/23 7pm Class

On-Demand Videos

We have several videos with training tip and helpful advice for both cats and dogs. These videos can be watched multiple times for a period of 30 days. Click here to for more information.

Videos

We have several videos with training tip and helpful advice for both cats and dogs. These videos can be watched multiple times for a period of 30 days. Please be sure there is not a blocker on your browser when you go to watch one of our videos. Click here to for more information and see what we have available.

Our training philosophy focuses on building a strong, healthy bond between pets and their pet parents through positive reinforcement. We do not use fear or intimidation-based tactics. OHS trainers believe that reward-based techniques and education behavior is the best way to promote a trusting and respectful relationship between individuals and their pets.

OHS trainers use scientifically based, positive reinforcement training methods. For this reason we ask that dogs do not wear prong collars (metal or plastic), choke chains or electronic collars to any of the classes. We also ask that dogs are on a regular, 6ft leash – no flexi leashes please. If you and your dogs are using any of the above, our trainers are always happy to suggest an alternative. Please contact us if you have any questions.

• Bring your dog on a collar or harness and a 4-6 Ft leash.
• Bring medium to high value treats cut into small pieces ( for example: liver, cheese, chicken or jerky)
• Bring a treat pouch, fanny pack or an apron to keep your treats in during training, this will free your hands to handle your dog easier
• Bring something for your dog to lay down on, such as a towel, dog bed or old yoga mat
• If desired, bring a water bottle and a chew toy (no squeaky toys please) for your dog to relax with in between exercises.