Unique Canine Classes

Posted by Sarah Miller

Canine class is about to start, and there’s a new teacher’s pet in town. From circus performing to detector dog training, these unique training classes will teach you and your pup new skills that will build your bond and impress his pals at the dog park.

Canine Circus School

Oakland, CA
Photo by Facebook.com/canine.circus.school

Come one, come all! Canine Circus School welcomes aspiring performers of all breeds, temperaments, ages and sizes. Trainees learn everything from basic obedience to center-ring stunts like how to balance a ball on their noses, jump through hoops, perform acrobatics and even master the Canine Quoit. Classes are taught in a fantastical setting decorated with vintage carousel horses, disco balls, costumes and strings of white twinkle lights.

Dream of traveling with the circus in a pet-friendly room with a view of the marina at the Waterfront Hotel.

Truffle Dog Training Classes

Eugene, OR
"Smells like truffle to me!" Photo by Facebook.com/TruffleDogCompany

If Fido wants to put his nose to the test on a truffle-finding quest, book a class with Truffle Dog Co. The Seattle-based company offers virtual classes, small group and private lessons, a private Guided Truffle Hunting Experience and even a puppy-specific class. These lessons teach people and pups how to become a successful truffle-hunting team, from the fundamentals of scent training to how to apply these newly acquired sniffing skills.

Stash your precious finds in your pet-friendly room at Staypineapple, University Inn, University District Seattle. Fido is welcome to sniff around the grassy relief area outside, then curl up in his complimentary bed for the night.

Camp Dogwood

Lake Delton, WI
Photo by Camp Dogwood

Camp Dogwood offers weekends of fun during spring, fall and winter. Pups and people who sign up can choose from a selection of 25-30 unique canine classes each day. Learn how to geocache with your dog, go barn hunting in spring, sled together in winter, pick up pet massage techniques and much more. Fido will make new friends, enjoy delicious meals and leave dog-tired at the end of his camp experience.

Stay with other campers in Bark Town, an on-site village that features pet-friendly cabins with hardwood floors.

Dog Dock Jumping Classes at the Courteous Canine, Inc.

Lutz, FL
“AAAAAHHHHHHHHH” Photo by Facebook.com/CCIncDogSmithofTampa

Dogs who can’t be confined to the classroom might want to try taking to the water at the Courteous Canine’s Dog Dock Jumping Pool. The experienced trainers teach water-loving pups the proper technique for leaping from the ramp into the pool, aiming for maximum distance in the air. Dogs are required to know how to swim before they sign up for Dog Dock Jumping classes. Pups who haven’t yet mastered water skills can sign up for private swimming lessons.

Shake off and make your way to The Red Bougainvillea in nearby Lutz, FL. This tiny house garden retreat is a great place to relax and recuperate after a session in the water.

Therapy Dog Prep School at Pawsitive Paws

San Diego, CA
Learning to lend a helping paw. Photo by Pawsitive Teams Service & Therapy Dogs

Pawsitive Teams Service & Therapy School offers a six-week workshop that teaches future therapy dogs and their owners to become an effective therapy team. Participating prep school pups must be friendly with all dogs and humans and must have completed a minimum of one dog training course such as Basic Obedience or Canine Good Citizen (CGC). This class is designed to prepare you and your pooch for various therapy certification tests but does not certify therapy teams.

Fido can practice his new skills in the lobby at Hyatt House San Diego Sorrento Mesa, before heading to his spacious pet-friendly room for some alone time.

Summit Dog Training

Fort Collins, CO
"Oh I would run 500 miles and I would run 500 more..." Photo by Summit Dog Training

Planning to bring Fido along on all of your epic adventures? Summit Dog Training teaches skills on both ends of the leash to promote a lifelong, fun-filled bond between pups and their people. Sign up for small group classes, private lessons and virtual training opportunities for everything from loose-leash walking to the very popular "Tricks, Tricks, Tricks" class where you and your pooch will learn, you guessed it, tricks! Start with Adventure Puppy PlaySchool, a drop-in style class at the Summit Dog Training facility designed to foster confidence and instill basic manners.

After class is dismissed, hang out with your outbound hound at Best Western University Inn Fort Collins. This pet-friendly hotel is situated near downtown and the CSU Campus.

Austin Doga

Austin, TX
“I’m very zen…squirrel?” Photo by Facebook.com/atxdoga

Heal yourself with your Blue Heeler for company during a private yoga session with Austin Doga. Sign up for an in-person or virtual 45-minute class with Nicole Vykoukal, a yoga teacher who is “captivated by the power of dog yoga in cultivating inner peace and well-being.” Go it alone or bring the whole pack and attend a group class that is designed to promote wellness, self-care and build a bond with your downward dog.

Fido can practice his moves in his spacious room at Hotel Ella downtown. Canine guests receive treats, a dog bed, bowls, and a bandana at check-in.

CanineFreestyle DogWork Classes

Silver Spring, MD
“Can I have this dance?” Photo by iStock/richiesd

Dancing dogs of DC and the surrounding areas can get their groove on during CanineFreestyle DogWork Classes at Capital Dog Training Club in Silver Spring, MD, home of the first and longest continuously running canine freestyle class in the U.S. Canine freestyle is a combination of obedience training, tricks and dance moves that are designed to show off Fido’s flare. Work together to create a lively routine that includes leg weaves and kicks, backing around, performance heeling, and more in beginner and advanced classes.

Hang up your dancing shoes in your comfortable room at Hotel Silver Spring, where four-legged guests receive treats, beds, and bowls at check-in.

Three Brothers Boards

Daytona Beach, FL
“Three teacher’s pets reporting for class!” Photo by Facebook.com/threebrothersboards

If you’re ready to learn how to SUP with our pup, Three Brothers Boards starts with an on-the-ground demonstration and lessons to help beginners get a feel for the boards (they have kayaks if Fido doesn’t take to it). You'll then venture out into the calm bay before circling an island and finishing up at canals where manatees and dolphins frequently hang out. Don’t forget to bring a canine life vest for Fido.

Bask in more ocean scenes at Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. This popular pet-friendly hotel has a grassy relief area outside and a variety of ocean-view rooms for dog owners to enjoy.

Would you sign Fido up for a unique class? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!