Training Your Pet

SafeHaven Humane Society is pleased to offer a variety of training classes and acupuncture services to help you and your dog enjoy a lifetime together. Whether you are seeking advice for a behavior issue, want to get some great foundational training, or want to excel at a dog sport we have classes for every dog and pet owner.  For upcoming classes and to register, click here.

Please see below for information about our trainers and our course descriptions.

Directions: All classes are held at the future home of SafeHaven Humane Society at 32220 Old Hwy 34 in Tangent. For directions, click here.

Training Program Staff
Sharon Gakstatter, CPDT-KA, Behavior and Training Coordinator
Ryan Sullivan, Instructor (Certified instructor through Animal Behavior College)
Alexis Bolf, Training Assistant

Obedience Classes
Puppy Socialization Course (For puppies 8 to 16 weeks old)

Cost: $35 for three-week course (Puppies adopted form SafeHaven will have fees waived for one Puppy Socialization course)

This is not just a training course. This is the best start to life you can give your puppy. This will start you on the road to properly socializing your dog to the wide world they will experience throughout their life. Proper socialization at the right time can prevent many of the problems we see in pets released to shelters (noise phobias, fear of people, and reactivity to other dogs. It will teach you about the importance of early handling, positive ways to train, and how to introduce unfamiliar items.

Obedience
Cost: $65 for a six-week course

We offer three levels of obedience training form basic cues to off leash control. Our obedience courses are based on the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Canine Life and Social Skills Program (C.L.A.S.S.). These courses will teach you basic life skills such as loose-leash walking, come, leave it, and much more. The level II and III classes build on the basic skills from level I by adding distractions and distance.

Sport Classes
There are so many activities you can enjoy with your dog. Try a new sport with your dog to keep his mind and body active throughout his life.
Cost: $65 for a six-week course

Introduction to Agility
This course teaches you to train your dog to properly perform agility obstacles. Obstacles are trained one at a time and then sequenced together to form small courses. It is great exercise for you and your dog.

Follow Your Nose Scent Games
What a great way to bond with your dog allowing him to use his nose in an instinctive way to find food. This introductory course will teach you how to read your dog’s body language as he searches for “the hide”. Dogs learn to effectively track odor to find the food prize. This course is great for shy or reactive dogs.

Treibball
Are you a fair weather dog person?  This new sport allows your dog to use his natural herding ability to round up large exercise balls. This fast and fun activity relies on the handler to direct the dog as he pushes the ball from across the room into a goal. No need to have livestock or get wet.

K-9 Nose Work Classes
Cost: $95 for a six-week class *(Payment for this class goes directly to Jean Richardson on the first night of class)

This series of classes will get you ready to compete in the new sport of K-9 Nose Work. Nose Work trial tests a dog’s ability to find particular odors and the handler’s ability to read their dog through the search. Dogs are tested on finding key odors in four different searches (vehicles, containers, interior rooms, and exterior search areas. These courses will be taught by Jean Richardson, a certified Nose Work Instructor.

Step 1 - Intro to K-9 Nose Work or Follow your Nose Scent class (see above under sports classes)

Step 2 - Intro to Odor

Step 3 - Continuing Nose Work

Step 4 - Continuing Nose Work II

*You must complete each previous step and have instructor approval in order to register for the next step.

Private Lessons
Cost: $100 for a six-week session

Private lessons are available for anyone who wants to work on a specific set of skills, has a reactive dog that can not focus in a group setting, is fearful of people or new places, or if you just want a little more privacy and individual time. If you are interested in scheduling private lessons please contact SharonGakstatter CPDT-KA at Sharon@safehavenhumane.com with a detailed list on what you would like to work on and days and times that you are available to meet.

Behavior Evaluations
Cost: $35 (extra charge for multiple dogs)

Are you concerned about your dogs lunging, growling, nipping, destructiveness or other nuisance behavior? Do you want to do a group class but not sure your dog will be able to focus in a group setting? Set up a behavior evaluation with Sharon Gakstatter, CPDT-KA, our Behavior and Training Coordinator, to discuss positive ways to deal with unwanted behavior. Please send a detailed description of the behavior you want to change and a list of days and times you would be available to meet.

Acupuncture
$80 (Payment goes directly to Dr. Carter at the time of your appointment)

Cathy Carter,DVM, is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. She has been practicing in veterinary medicine since 1997 and has been practicing acupuncture since 2009. Acupunture has proven effective in treating Musculoskeletal problems, Neurological disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders, Cardiac and respiratory problems, Endocrine disorders, and other conditions including, allergies, kidney insufficiency, and geriatric weakness. Appointments are scheduled once a month.  *A portion of each appointment is donated to SafeHaven Humane Society. Click here for open appointments.