First Responders Drop-In Class

Drop-in classes are now available for first responders! No commitment is required. Just pre-register and come by with your dog. These classes are intended for therapeutic benefit without the long commitment of the service dog program.

(Please note: Classes are only for first responders)

Beginner Training Class

In this fun class we will use games and activities to focus your dog’s energy on learning basic obedience skills. We will cover leash manners, leave it, stay, come when called, and other basic obedience tasks. This class meets once a week for 7 weeks and it is a great prerequisite for anyone who wants to continue on to the Therapy Dog training class.

Canine Good Citizen Prep Class

This 8-week course will guide you through all components of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. 

Class participants have the option to take the test at the end of the course for an additional $20. 

For the exam, owner/dog teams must demonstrate the dog’s ability to stay, come when called, greet dogs and people calmly while walking with a relaxed leash.

The CGC test is nationally recognized. Many insurance companies, landlords, and business view favorably on those that receive this certification. 

Please Note:

• Completion of this course and test are required for OAE’s therapy dog program

Intermediate Training Class

This intermediate class is for dogs over 6 months old who have taken a Positive Reinforcement, Puppy, or Beginner class and are looking to expand their skill set.

Therapy Dog TRAINING Class

Operation At Ease’s Therapy Dog Program is the first of its kind. Our graduates will be specifically trained to support those who served their country and community-visiting military installations, veteran’s organizations, and first responder units.

This innovative 8-week course guides you and your dog through basic manners including: greeting strangers, leash walking, ignoring dropped food, and progressing to more advanced training: down and stay, sitting for petting, building your dog’s comfort level around busy environments, and sounds. Combining both classroom practice and real-world exposure training at a local pet-friendly business! At the end of this course, you will have the option to take two tests: AKC’s Community Canine (CGCA) and Operation At Ease’s Therapy Dog Test. Both are required to become an Operation At Ease Therapy Dog.

8 Week Class breakdown:

• 1 orientation (humans only)
• 3 in house lessons at OAE
• 3 public access lessons
• 1 day of testing

Please note:

• Dogs must be people and dog friendly with no history of biting (human or dog).
• Health Compliance form to be completed by the canine’s veterinarian prior to certification.
• Must have passed AKC’s CGC test prior to enrollment.
• Additional fees apply for tests and annual insurance coverage

Cautious Canines

This class is for dogs who are fearful or anxious in novel situations. We will focus on reading body language, building confidence, and the proper way to introduce them to new situations and people. Discussion on decreasing fear escalation and relaxation protocols.

Please Note:

• Week one is a dog free orientation.
• Dogs must be people and dog friendly.
• No formal obedience is necessary.

Fundamentals of Task Training

This class is for service dogs, therapy dogs, or any dog you would like to work for you a little more. We will focus on commands and tasks to help increase focus, mitigate anxiety, and provide building blocks to grow. This program is structured in simple steps and an easy-to-follow manner.

Please Note:

• Week one is a dog free orientation.
• Dogs must be people and dog friendly.
• Prior obedience helpful but not required.

Public Drop-In Classes (Series)

We know you want to continue your dog’s training but your schedule just does not allow you to commit to a 6-week program!

So, join our Drop-In classes instead! Sign up for just a single session or join them all! Each session covers one or two topics and can be tailored to any experience level. Sessions are approximately one hour long.

Previous Class Topics Have Included:

• Coming when called
• Walking Without Pulling 
• Don’t Touch That!
• Owner’s Choice

Holiday Pet Manners

Help your pet be an enjoyable guest this holiday season! We will focus on a specific skill set:

• Greeting people without jumping
• Counter surfing
• Go to your place

Five dogs per class

Prior obedience training is helpful but not required

Victorious Veterinary Visits Workshop

This unique 3-week course will introduce you to the world of force free-fear free handling, using positive reinforcement training. You will be learning how to teach your dog to participate in their own health care; this is known as Cooperative Care Training. Not only will it help build your dog’s confidence when going to the vet, but will make your life so much easier for behaviors like nail trimming, toothbrushing, holding still for eye and ear exams, wearing a basket muzzle with confidence, and MORE!

Dogs of any age and experience level welcome! Additional training supplies needed (some DIY possible), to be reviewed at night one. Contact for any questions or concerns.

Victorious Veterinary Visits – Part One

This 7 week course will introduce you to the world of force free-fear free handling using positive reinforcement training. You will be learning how to teach your dog to participate in their own health care, this is known as Cooperative Care Training. Not only will it help build your dogs confidence when going to the vet, but but will make your life so much easier for behaviors like nail trimming, toothbrushing, holding still for eye and ear exams, wearing a basket muzzle with confidence, and MORE!

Overall, participants will learn to work one on one with their dog to develop a relationship of trust and mutual understanding

Dogs of any age and experience level welcome! Additional training supplies needed (some DIY possible), to be reviewed at night one. Contact for any questions or concerns.

Victorious Veterinary Visits – Part Two

Prerequisite: Victorious Veterinary Visits Part One

This 6 week continuation course will help you build off of the foundational cooperative care behaviors learned in VVV Part 1. We will be focusing on force free-fear free handling using positive reinforcement training to master husbandry behavior nail trimming, toothbrushing, holding still for eye and ear exams, wearing a basket muzzle with confidence, and MORE!

Tricks and Brain Games

You already know your dog is the best and brightest pup around, now have the tricks to prove it to all of your friends! From basics like paw, wave and spin, to more advanced like Find It, and Play Dead! Your pup is sure to become the Ulti-MUTT TRICK-STAR!