Humane Society Silicon Valley

For dogs 6 months and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of both a beginning and intermediate level class. 

Focus for Distractions is an upbeat, upper-intermediate class that helps dogs stay connected to you even when life gets exciting. Using science-based, positive reinforcement methods, dogs learn to focus calmly around movement, noise, and everyday distractions. This is a great next step for families preparing to participate in dog sports or anyone who wants more reliability in busy environments.

Course details: 
• Six-week course, one 50-minute session per week
• Skills include stays with distractions, appropriate play, coming away from distractions, turning on cue, and more
• Dogs attend all sessions

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Focus for Distractions course

Recommended for dogs 1 year and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of both beginning and intermediate classes 

Canine Good  Citizen (CGC) prepares you and your dog for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test, focusing on real-life manners, calm behavior, and teamwork. You’ll practice polite greetings, loose-leash walking, supervised separation, attention around other dogs, and confidence with grooming and handling. 

On graduation day, you’ll have the option to take the official 10-step CGC test. If your dog doesn’t pass the first time, no worries – we offer testing throughout the year. 

Course details: 
• Six weeks; one 50-minute in-person session per week 
• Includes CGC test opportunity
• Proof of required vaccinations

Pricing: 
• $200 for 6-week Canine Good Citizen course

Recommended for dogs 5 months and older 

Prerequisite: Completion both a beginning and intermediate class 

Tricks are a cheerful, creative way to keep training fun while helping your dog build focus, body awareness, and confidence. You’ll teach your dog a variety of cute and impressive tricks such as shake, high five, sit pretty, take a bow, play dead, spin, ring a bell, and even how to put toys away or help find your keys. As you teach each trick, you also learn how to break down complex behaviors and communicate clearly with your dog. 

This class is designed for dogs who already have a solid training foundation and are ready for a playful new challenge. Tricks are a wonderful way to bond and make learning feel joyful. 

Course details: 
• Six-week course, one 50-minute session per week
• Dogs attend all classes
• For dogs 5 months and older
• Dogs must not be reactive or aggressive toward people or other dogs
• Proof of age-appropriate vaccinations required

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Tricks course

For dogs 1 year and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of both beginning and intermediate manners or instructor approval.

Recommended: Focus for Distractions. 

Beginning Flyball introduces dogs and their people to one of the most exciting and fast-paced dog sports. Dogs learn foundational Flyball skills including jumping hurdles, triggering the Flyball box, retrieving a tennis ball, and returning to their handler. You’ll also learn motivating techniques and handling strategies that keep the sport safe and joyful. 

Course details: 
• Six-week course; one 60-minute session per week
• Dogs attend all classes
• For well-socialized, athletic dogs with reliable off-leash recall
• Ideal for dogs who enjoy retrieving and fast-paced activities

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Beginning Flyball course

For dogs 1 year and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of beginning manners, intermediate manners and Beginning Flyball. 

Intermediate Flyball expands on the skills learned in Beginning Flyball, helping teams refine hurdle work, box turns, and retrieves. Dogs practice faster, more accurate Flyball patterns while handlers learn advanced teamwork and timing. This class is energetic, engaging, and perfect for dogs who thrive in active sports. 

Course details: 
• Six-week course; one 60-minute session per week
• Dogs attend all classes
• Builds speed, accuracy, and handler-dog communication
• Prepares teams for more advanced Flyball progression

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Intermediate Flyball course

For dogs 1 year and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of Beginning and Intermediate Manners. 

Recommended: Focus for Distractions. 

Recreational Agility 1 introduces you and your dog to the fun, confidence-building world of agility. Using positive reinforcement, dogs learn to navigate jumps, tunnels, the teeter, and other beginner-friendly obstacles. You will also start simple sequencing and learn handling skills that build clear communication and teamwork. 

Course details: 
• Six-week course; one 50-minute session per week
• For dogs over one year old
• Dogs attend all classes
• Teaches foundational obstacles, safe movement, and early sequencing

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Recreational Agility course

For dogs 1 year and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of Beginning and Intermediate Manners and a beginner agility class. 

Recreational Agility 2 builds on the foundation from Agility 1 and helps dogs advance their obstacle skills with more confidence and control. Dogs refine earlier obstacles, begin working at greater heights, and learn new elements like weave poles and the tire jump. Sequencing becomes more complex as dogs work more frequently off leash. 

Course details: 
• Six-week course; one 50-minute session per week
• For dogs over one year old
• Introduces weave poles, tire jump, and advanced sequencing
• Builds off-leash reliability within the agility setting

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Recreational Agility 2 course

For dogs 1 year and older 

Prerequisite: Completion of Beginning and Intermediate Manners and both level 1 and 2 Agility classes. 

Continuing Recreational Agility is an ongoing class for families who want to keep learning and enjoying agility together. Each week includes fun sequences, handling drills, and confidence-building exercises that help dogs and handlers progress at their own pace. This class can be retaken every six weeks as skills grow. 

Course details: 
• Six-week recurring course; one 50-minute session per week
• For dogs over one year old
• Weekly sequences and handling drills
• Supportive environment for continued skill building

Pricing: 
• $225 for 6-week Continuing Recreational Agility course

Prerequisite: Completion of both a beginning and intermediate class 

Nose Work is a confidence-boosting scent game that taps into your dog’s natural sniffing abilities. This fun, problem-solving class introduces dogs to scent work, odor identification, and scent-based puzzles that help them think, explore, and use their noses in rewarding ways. Dogs learn to detect a particular odor while building focus, independence, and excitement for searching. It is a great class for active minds or dogs who benefit from structured enrichment. 

Handlers must bring a crate or exercise pen that can be covered during class. Dogs work individually at times, so being able to settle quietly in their crate is important for success. 

Course details: 
• Five-week course; one 50-minute session per week
• Handlers must bring a crate or exercise pen and covers
• Fixed-length leash required (6 to 12 feet preferred)
• Back-clip harness recommended
• Dogs must be able to work around other dogs without barking, growling, or lunging
• Proof of age-appropriate vaccinations required

Pricing: 
• $200 for 5-week Introduction to Nose Work course

Mastering Scentwork: Handler Discrimination & Lost Item Recovery

Prerequisite: Completion of both a beginning and intermediate class 

Unlock your dog’s natural scenting abilities with our specialized training class in competitive scentwork. This program is designed to prepare handlers and their dogs for success in the AKC’s Handler Discrimination program and the North American Sports Dog Association’s (NASDA) Lost Item Recovery events. Beyond competition, these scentwork skills have real-world applications—imagine your dog finding your lost keys, glasses, or phone by tracking your unique body odor! Through structured training, your dog will learn to accurately identify and locate personal scent, making them both a competitive athlete and a valuable everyday helper.
Through structured training, your dog will learn to identify and locate human body odor, refining their skills for competitive and practical applications. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or new to scentwork, this class will enhance your dog’s accuracy, confidence, and drive. Join us and take the next step toward excelling in the exciting world of scent detection sports!

Important Note: This group class is held outdoors in the sports yard. There are no barriers available to block the vision of reactive dogs. Dogs will search for items with other dogs/handlers watching in the center of the yard. Handlers should be prepared to block the ability of their dog to observe course set up. (Otherwise, it’s a memory class not a scentwork class.) This could be through the use of a covered crate or another type of device. 

Handlers will need to bring at least four personal items to the class. Each item should be scented only by the handler and brought in individual Ziploc bags or containers. A list of items required by NASDA will be sent to registrants prior to the first class session.

Course details: 
• Six-week course; one 50-minute session per week
• Handlers must bring a crate or exercise pen and covers
• Fixed-length leash required (10 to 12 feet preferred)
• Back-clip harness recommended. 
• NO choke, prong, or electronic shock collars allowed
• Dogs must be able to work around other dogs without barking, growling, or lunging
• Proof of age-appropriate vaccinations required

Pricing: 
• $225 for general registration.