Our goal is to help dog owners gain the skills to better communicate with their dogs and to teach dogs the skills they need to be better companions. Our classes focus on teaching both people and dogs skills that help us all live in harmony. Our variety of classes offer availability to both wallets and schedules!
How to Register
To register for a class, click on the “Register” buttons below. For more class details and dates, click on “Learn more” where applicable.
Registration happens through a third party website, Book Your Pet. You’ll need to create a BookYourPet account to register for training classes and submit class payments.
Need Assistance?
Should you have any questions about what class is your best match, or any trouble registering, please email information about your dog and request to us at dogtraining@napahumane.org.
Class Location
All Classes are held at the Napa Humane Education Center:
Napa Humane Education Center
3285 Old California Way
Napa, CA 94558
A Workshop is a single session that focuses on a specific skill, more like a tutoring session. This allows you the opportunity to repeat the course as often as you need.
These Workshops allow you and your dog to recover lost skills and level-up already-known skills. If your dog has attended the course before, your instructor will adjust your dog’s lessons for their skill set.
Socializing for young dogs between 8–16 weeks old (must be 7 days post first vaccine).
Sundays at 10:00 am
Wednesdays at 6:00 pm
A focused, single-session workshop designed to help your dog build a faster, more reliable response to the “come” cue.
Sundays, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
October 18
A single-session workshop focused on building better leash skills, improving communication, and creating more enjoyable walks with your dog.
Sundays 12-12:45pm
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Private Sessions are available for dogs needing to work on skills that are not addressed in group classes, or when the class schedule and the dogs needs aren’t in line.
Private sessions are offered in 30 and 60 minute sessions weekdays between 12-5pm. There is minimal and inconsistent evening availability at this time. Referrals available.
Three-Week class where we focus on building your dog’s recall from the ground up.
Friday 10am-10:45am
July 17 to July 31
Sunday 12:00pm-12:45pm
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Three-Week class focusing on building your dog’s leash walking skills
Fridays 10am-10:45am
Sundays 12-12:45pm
Fridays 10:00am-10:45am
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Sundays 12:00pm-12:45pm
July 12 to July 26
Build your dog’s skills, confidence, and creativity while having fun learning new tricks together.
Wednedays 7:00pm-7:45pm
August 19 to September 2
October 14 to October 28
December 9 to December 23
A trainer guided, group walk. Try out new walking spaces with your dog while having a an expert nearby to consult with. Great for owners looking to build their confidence and dogs who are still working on their manners. We’ll rotate through different Napa county parks focusing on enriching our dogs and building stronger pet/owner bonds/teams.
Saturdays, 10:30-11:30am
July 18
August 1
August 15
September 12
September 19
October 24
November 7
November 21
December 12
December 19
A Training Class is a multi-session class designed to build your dog’s skills at each class. Each session your dog will learn a new skill, building off of what they learned in the previous class. These classes vary from 3-6 total sessions.
Build the foundation for a well-mannered companion. This 5-week class teaches essential life skills, strengthens your bond, and helps your puppy navigate the world with confidence. For puppies 10 weeks to 6 months old. Puppies are required to be up-to-date (for their age) with vaccines.
Mondays 6:00 – 6:45 pm
July 27 to August 24
September 14 to October 12
October 26 to November 23
November 30 to December 28
Thursdays 6:00 – 6:45 pm
August 13 to September 10
September 24 to October 22
November 5 to December 10 (skipping 11/26)
Our Basic Manners Miniseries is a 3-week course designed to cover important skills in a short amount of time. This class is for all dogs over 6 months.
Fridays 11:00am-11:45 am
A comprehensive 5 session class that builds foundational skills, strengthens communication, and prepares your dog for real-world success.
Sunday 2-2:45pm
July 12 to August 9
August 23 to September 27 (skipping September 6)
October 11 ro November 8
November 15 to December 20 (skipping November 29)
Monday 5-5:45pm
July 13 to August 10
August 17 to September 21
October 5 to November 2
November 9 to December 7
Wednesday 8:00-8:45pm
July 22 to August 19
September 2 to September 30
October 7 to November 4
For dogs 6 months to 2 years old, this 5-week class helps adolescent dogs develop focus, impulse control, and the manners needed to navigate the teenage months.
Mondays 7:00-7:45 pm
September 14 to October 12
October 26 to November 23
November 30 to December 28
Tuesdays 6:00 – 6:45 pm
August 25 to September 22
October 6 to November 3
November 17 to December 15
A manners class just for dogs under 30lbs/20″ tall
Sundays 1:00 – 1:45 pm
July 26 to August 23
Tuesdays 4:00-4:45pm
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
A class for dogs who bark & lunge on leash at other dogs. First class is People Only.
Thursdays 7:15-8pm
August 27 to October 1
October 8 to November 12
November 19 to December 13 (skipping November 29)
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
A Class building on your dog’s manners skills with the goal of preparing your dog for the Canine Good Citizen evaluation.
Tuesdays, 7:00 – 7:45 pm
July 21 to August 28
Perfect if you’ve ever been interested in trying out sports with your dog.
Wednesdays, 7:00 – 7:45 pm
July 15 to August 12
September 9 to October 7
November 4 to December 2
December 30 to January 27
A Miniseries Class meant for kids 8 and up. Parents will be required to participate in class but the goal is to have the kids learn about training and be the primary trainer for the dog.
Tuesdays at 5pm
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
A hybrid class for dogs who are nervous in new environments and need to build confidence.
Sundays 2:00-2:45pm
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
If you’re looking for a class to build on what your dog learned in Basic Manners, Puppy Preschool or Teen Manners; Next Level Manners is that class.
Mondays 8-8:45pm
July 13 to August 10
August 24 to September 21
October 5 to November 2
November 16 to December 14
Tuesdays 7-7:45pm
December 8 to January 5
A Human-Only Class covers a specific topic with the goal of educating the human end of the leash. Leave your pup at home so you can give your full attention to the day’s lesson.
Human-Only Classes will be held at the Napa Humane Education Center: 3285 Old California Way, Napa, CA 94558.
Human-only virtual classes will be held online. Details will be sent upon registration. If you are unable to attend during the scheduled time, we encourage you to register to receive the recording of the event.
If you’re preparing to bring home a puppy or having trouble potty training, join us for a great discussion to learn new tips and tricks and to ask your questions!
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
A Special Q&A Session for Struggling Pet Parents
Join Napa Humane’s Alyssa Vincent for a one-hour virtual Q&A session designed to help with your pet’s behavior challenges — dogs, cats, and beyond!
Sessions are limited to six participants to ensure everyone gets personal attention. At just $50, it’s a budget-friendly way to get expert advice from the comfort of home.
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Learn about Body Language, the Basics of Learning and the Power of Choice and Enrichment.
Join us for a fun and informative FREE VIRTUAL session with Napa Humane’s Pet Education Manager, Alyssa Vincent!
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Learn about cat body language and behavior basics.
Join us for a fun and informative FREE VIRTUAL session with Napa Humane’s Pet Education Manager, Alyssa Vincent!
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Learn about managing and preventing aggression and intense fear. A great option when your dog isn’t a candidate for group training.
Join us for a fun and informative FREE VIRTUAL session with Napa Humane’s Pet Education Manager, Alyssa Vincent.
To be notified of offerings for this class, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
Where are the Classes?
All classes are held at our Humane Education Center at 3285 Old California Way, just north of our the Napa Humane Spay/Neuter Clinic.
Is there financial assistance for classes?
We hope to be able to offer income-qualified assistance and scholarship options to students soon, but we are not able to offer this just yet. Students looking for a more economical option are encouraged to attend our workshop classes.
How do I know which class I should take?
You can choose a class for your pup based on their size and maturity, or based on their specific behavior challenge.
There are many class options to provide a wide availability for students. For example, if your puppy will be six months during their class time, they can attend either Puppy Preschool, Teen Manners, Basic Manners or if they’re small, Small Dogs, Big Manners. Dog Parents are encouraged to pick the class that best suits their availability or focuses on your dog’s skill needs best.
If your dog needs a refresher on their skills or you’re not sure how they might feel in a group class, try attending on of our one-day workshops.
What is the Training Philosophy?
Napa Humane believes in setting dogs up for success and providing them with skills that help them live more seamlessly with their owners. We do not use or promote the use of punishment, pain, force or intimidation as means of training. We believe in utilizing positive reinforcement methods and a hierarchy of least intrusive interventions. We train in alignment with the guidelines approved by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB): “Based on current scientific evidence, AVSAB recommends that only reward-based training methods are used for all dog training, including the treatment of behavior problems.” The AVSAB’s Position Statement on Humane Dog Training provides more information about why they – and we – embrace this philosophy. You can read it for free online here.
My dog barks at other dogs all the time when s/he is on leash; can I still take one of your classes?
Dogs may bark for a number of reasons, especially with other dogs. Our classroom setting generally has around 6 students, and while we do have room for separation, not all dogs benefit from a group class in an enclosed space like ours. If you’re unsure whether your dog is a candidate for a class, please contact our trainers at dogtraining@napahumane.org to discuss further. Our Leash Monster to Mild-Mannered Class is specifically designed for dogs who are stressed, frustrated or agitated in the presence of other dogs, while leashed. In this class we work on helping your dog bark less and gain comfort and confidence around other dogs, creating a much more peaceful walking experience for everyone.
The class that I'm interested in is full, how can I be added to your wait list?
We are always working and building upon our schedule of classes. Review our calendar for alternative classes that you and your dog can attend. If you cannot find a class to attend, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org
What are your Puppy Class Cleanliness and Vaccine Protocols?
We’ll ask that all puppy parents carry their puppies from the car all the way into the classroom, until their puppies have completed their full series of vaccinations. We also ask that all puppy parents sanitize their feet on their way into the classroom. Our classroom is sanitized before each puppy class and messes are cleaned and sanitized immediately. All puppies must be up to date, for their age, on their vaccinations in order to attend class. Puppies can attend our classes and Puppy Play Dates 7 days after their first round of DH2PP vaccine.
Enrollment & Attendance
You can register for all our classes through the Napa Humane website. Our booking site will ask you to create an account with your information, as well as your dog’s. Once that’s done, you can register for any class you’re interested in – but please read the class descriptions, requirements and cancellation policy carefully. If you have any trouble getting registered, send an email to dogtraining@napahumane.org with your information and the class you’re interested in. We can help register you on the back end.
Full payment is required at the time of enrollment. Please look closely at your calendar before registration to ensure that you’ll be able to attend all classes. It is not possible to offer make-up classes, so we ask that you choose dates that best work for your calendar.
If you are going to miss a class, please let the trainer know. We do not provide make up classes, however the trainer can provide you with the homework that you missed from the specific class.
Vaccinations
Proof of current vaccinations, as detailed below, is required for class attendance. These can be entered on your Book Your Pet Profile when you register for class, scanned and emailed to dogtraining@napahumane.org, or brought to the first class.
Cancellation
If the minimum enrollment for a class or workshop is not met 3 days prior to the first session, the class may be cancelled or postponed. You will be contacted via telephone or email to see if you would like to enroll in the rescheduled class, receive credit toward a future class, or receive a full refund.
Refunds & Credits
Refund Policy – In order to qualify for a full refund, you must contact Napa Humane via email at dogtraining@napahumane.org 3 days before class begins. If you miss this window, you may qualify for credit for another class. See the below class credit policy. If your dog is injured or otherwise unable to attend the remaining class(es) due to health reasons, you may qualify for a 50% refund of your course; however, you’ll need to notify the training team as soon as possible. If your dog has completed the first two classes, the 50% refund is not available. We strongly recommend considering your schedule and availability before registering and paying for classes to eliminate refund and credit challenges.
Credit Policy – Credits are available to students prior to the start of the class. Credits can be applied to future classes after the student attends the first class. If your dog attended the first class of their series but is unable to attend the remaining classes due to health or behavior reasons, you are eligible for a 75% credit of your class fees. This credit can only be redeemed through registration for another class within 90 days. Please be sure to contact the training team via email at dogtraining@napahumane.org so that they can apply your credits; registering through the website does not allow you to apply credits to an upcoming class registration.
Behavioral & Health Appropriateness
Dogs that are exhibiting signs of illness (coughing, diarrhea, lethargy) should not be brought to class and Napa Humane reserves the right to ask owners to remove potentially ill dogs from class.
Dogs who cause an increased risk of injury, or who make other students feel unsafe may be removed from the class or asked to move into another training space. If classroom adjustments still cause an increased safety risk or distress to the dog, they may be asked to leave class for the day, or for the remainder of classes. Should a student be asked to leave class, the trainer will schedule a call to discuss next steps, training suggestions and the possibility of credit or refund.
Children in Class
Children are welcome to join the class, though we ask that children remain near their own dogs. There is a table for younger children to sit, color and read during class. As a precaution and to maintain the comfort of the other dogs in the classroom, children should be managed by their families and instructed not to approach other dogs, run, scream or yell.
First Class
Owner Liability
I expressly agree to be held responsible for any injury, expense, costs or damages, including but not limited to destruction of furniture, gates, walls, as well as any damage or injury inflicted upon another human or dog, arising out of my own actions or negligence or the actions of my dog.
Occasionally, the Napa Humane team will photograph and/or film our training classes for promotional purposes. I understand that if I don’t wish to be photographed or filmed, I should inform the instructor prior to class. I have read this fully and understand and agree to all of its terms.
Update to Policies due to COVID-19
Due to frequently changing regulations and guidelines, masks may be required in your classroom. Please defer to your instructor for details about the current requirements for your class. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, unexplained muscle pain, loss of sense of taste/smell), please do not attend an in-person class.
For questions regarding the classes, please email us at dogtraining@napahumane.org.
All classes are held at:
Napa Humane Education Center
3285 Old California Way
Napa, CA 94558
