Pet Parenting Group Classes
(~11 min) Progressive, high-energy group training that helps you and your dog bond, build manners, and level up—one class at a time. Each level focuses on mastering new behaviors while reinforcing previous training.
Overview:
Our Pet Parenting Group Classes are progressive, coach-led group sessions that pair fun, fast intervals with clear training so you and your dog master real-life skills. Each grade introduces a block of new behaviors while reinforcing skills from earlier levels, so progress feels steady—not overwhelming. Classes run at both Scottsdale and Cave Creek, and many families combine classes with DaySchool/DayCamp for extra weekday reps.
Topics
Class Levels (Pre-School → Dogtorate)
Progress Plan
Each grade level teaches new behaviors, totaling around 180 behaviors by the time your dog reaches the Dogtorate level. The behaviors cover everything from basic obedience to high-performance agility and tricks.
“New” = first taught at that grade. Those skills are then reinforced, proofed, and maintained in later grades (see Phases Note below).
Pre-School (Puppy & Adult) — 49 new behaviors
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Focus: Confidence, socialization, crate/settle, name response.
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Examples: Sit, Down, Place, leash intro, polite greetings.
Kindergarten — 20 new behaviors
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Focus: Manners, impulse control, early leash skills.
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Examples: Stay foundations, handler turns, handling tolerance.
Elementary — 26 new behaviors
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Focus: Refining cues like Leave It and Off; appropriate play.
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Examples: Longer stays, calm check-ins, food/toy manners.
Middle School — 13 new behaviors
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Focus: Specialized cues (Out, Flip to Heel), grooming/object desensitization, off-leash prep.
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Examples: Patterning heel, controlled distractions.
High School — 11 new behaviors
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Focus: Practical tricks (Retrieve), connection skills (e.g., “Bye,” “Hug”).
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Examples: Carry/hold, distance attention, longer durations.
College — 12 new behaviors
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Focus: Complex positioning (Middle), environmental skills (Open/Close Door), body control (Bow, Sit Pretty).
Masters — 16 new behaviors
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Focus: Precision and chained routines (e.g., a Figure 8), cooperative tasks, proofing under pressure.
Dogtorate — 33 new behaviors
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Focus: Higher-level agility/performance: Leg Weaves, Frisbee Catch, Jump Through Arms, dynamic focus in motion.
Phases Note (how skills mature)
- Every behavior moves through 4 phases across grades:
- Teaching (introduce & shape) → Reinforcing (build fluency) → Proofing (distractions, duration, distance) → Maintenance (keep sharp).
- Your Pupdates and trainer will help let you know which phase each behavior is in.
Training Format & What a Class Feels Like
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Interval Training: Short, targeted drills on 4–5 behaviors build stamina and reduce problem habits.
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Group Formations: Practice in line, circle, scramble to generalize skills around dogs/people.
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AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible): Timed reps sharpen focus, timing, and handler mechanics.
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Demo & Wrap-Up: Coach demos, quick wins, feedback, and at-home homework.
Flexible Scheduling & Advancement
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Open Enrollment: Start when you’re ready—no long waits for a new cycle.
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Make-Ups: Missed a class? Use a make-up without losing momentum.
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Advance on Readiness: Move up when core skills are reliable in-class (trainer-verified).
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Cross-Program Reinforcement: Behaviors are reinforced in DaySchool/DayCamp and private lessons for faster mastery.
Membership Options & Pricing
Pet Parenting Class — Drop-In* or Scheduled
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$65 per class (scheduled). Ideal for occasional attendance or tune-ups.
Pet Parenting Class — Memberships (Classes Only)
Keep momentum and graduate levels faster with monthly class passes.
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4 classes / month
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$169/mo (annual plan) · $219/mo (quarterly plan)
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8 classes / month
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$279/mo (annual plan) · $359/mo (quarterly plan)
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Includes: guaranteed spots in grade-level classes, progressive curriculum, make-ups, coach feedback, and homework between sessions.
Camp Graduate Perk: After any Camp graduation, Pet Parenting Classes are $10 per class for your dog’s lifetime (50% off).
Training Memberships (DaySchool/DayCamp) — 2025 Tiers
Blend weekday training with evening/weekend classes. These include monthly DaySchool (DS) / DayCamp (DC) credits and ongoing discounts on purchases—including all Pet Parenting classes (drop-ins and class memberships).
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Plus — $199/mo (annual)
Includes 4 DS days or 2 DC days per month + 10% off all purchases (applies to Pet Parenting class drop-ins and class memberships). -
Premium — $399/mo (annual)
Includes 8 DS or 4 DC per month + 20% off all purchases (applies to Pet Parenting class drop-ins and class memberships). -
Platinum — $599/mo (annual)
Includes 12 DS or 6 DC per month + 30% off all purchases (applies to Pet Parenting class drop-ins and class memberships).
Discounts apply to Pet Parenting class drop-ins and class memberships.
If you’re a Camp graduate, we’ll apply the single best price at checkout (discounts don’t stack with the $10 graduate rate).
Onboarding & How to Start
If you’re new to Partners
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Schedule a PD360 Assessment online.
This is a structured behavior/skills evaluation so we can place you accurately.
See what program fits your dog best: Take the PD360 Assessment -
We review your PD360 and call you to discuss findings, goals, and to schedule you for an in-person evaluation for your dog.
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A trainer/sales manager will reach out to confirm placement and get you placed in the correct class.
Tip: Bring a flat/buckle collar, non-retractable leash, and high-value treats to class. Make sure vaccinations (Bordetella, Rabies, DHPP) were given ≥1 week before attendance and your dog has been symptom-free for 7 days.
If you’re an existing client (first time joining group classes)
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Contact your current trainer (reply to your last update or call the front desk) and request group class placement.
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Your trainer will assign the right grade based on your dog’s recent progress.
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Look at the classes via the schedules:
- We'll handle the enrollment, once you decide which day and time works best for you.
Already in a Group Class and Want to Move Up (or Down)?
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Talk to your group-class trainer (chat after class or reply to your update email).
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Your trainer will do a quick readiness check using the phases (Teaching → Reinforcing → Proofing → Maintenance).
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They’ll recommend next steps: stay and polish specific skills, move up a grade, or stay where your at temporarily to rebuild foundations.
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We’ll handle the enrollment change and point you to the correct schedule slot.
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If there’s been a significant behavior change (e.g., new reactivity), we may request a brief PD360 update before switching levels.
Want to get started now? Take our PD360 Assessment today to see what program fits your dog best: Take the Quiz
Common Questions & Answers
How are the classes structured? What will my dog and I do each session?
Classes run in upbeat intervals: short drills on 4–5 skills, group formations (line/circle/scramble) to practice around other dogs, AMRAP (as-many-reps-as-possible) blocks for fluency, and a quick demo/feedback wrap-up. You’ll leave with simple homework so gains stick between classes.
How many new behaviors are taught in each grade?
Real counts of “new behaviors introduced” per grade: Pre-School 49, Kindergarten 20, Elementary 26, Middle School 13, High School 11, College 12, Masters 16, Dogtorate 33—about 180 new behaviors across the full curriculum. Each behavior then moves through Teaching → Reinforcing → Proofing → Maintenance as you progress.
How do I know which grade to start in? Do I need a PD360 first?
If you’re new, book a PD360 Assessment online and we’ll call you to find out where your dog is at. If you’re an existing recent client, ask your trainer for class placement based on recent progress.
My dog is reactive or struggles in groups—can we still join?
If your dog is safe but easily distracted, we can often start in a lower grade and gauge where your dog is currently. If there’s reactivity, anxiety, or bite history, we’ll do a PD360 Assessment first before having you join a class. From there we may recommend DayCamp (1:1 day training) or Behavior Camp before group classes.
What happens if we miss a class?
We offer flexible make-ups. Book another session in your current grade and keep moving—no loss of progress.
How do memberships and pricing work for classes?
Options: Drop-in $65 per class, or Class Memberships (4x/mo or 8x/mo). If you hold a training membership (Plus/Premium/Platinum), you get 10%/20%/30% off all Pet Parenting classes (drop-ins and class memberships). Camp graduates get $10 classes for life; we apply the best single price at checkout.
When do we move up a grade? Can we repeat a level?
Advance when core skills are reliable in-class (the trainer will sign-off). Repeating a level is common—and smart—when you want stronger distraction-proofing before leveling up.
What should I bring to class?
A flat/buckle collar, non-retractable leash, high-value treats, and a hungry-but-comfortable dog. If your dog has food sensitivities, bring approved treats.
Do you have vaccination, health, or age requirements?
Yes: Bordetella, Rabies, DHPP given ≥1 week before attending; newly rescued dogs wait 30 days before first visit; and any dog who’s been ill should be symptom-free for 7 days before returning. If symptoms appear in class, we’ll isolate, contact you for pick-up, and pause training until your dog is well. We also require all dogs to be at least 20 weeks old and do not have a maximum age restriction and work with all breeds!
How long are classes and how many dogs are in a group?
Sessions are designed to keep energy high and reps frequent. Class size is limited for quality training and safety; we’ll confirm the cap when you book your location/time.
Can family members attend?
Yes—training is a team sport. For everyone’s safety and focus, we’ll guide where extra helpers should stand and how to participate.
We’re advancing slowly—how can we speed things up?
Add weekday reps via DaySchool or DayCamp, keep homework short (5–10 min blocks), and use your trainer's feedback to clean up timing. Many parents accelerate their dogs training by pairing classes with a training membership for consistent practice.
Do you offer private help alongside classes?
Absolutely. Private lessons target sticky points (e.g., leash handling, greetings) so your next class jumps forward. You can talk to your trainer about scheduling a private lesson, either at home or at one of the store locations.
How do I schedule and where are classes held?
Classes run at Scottsdale and Cave Creek. Check the location calendars or call us; we’ll place you, enroll you, and set up your first date.
Glossary
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PD360 Assessment (PD360): Partners Dogs 360—our online/in-person assessment to place your dog accurately.
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AMRAP: “As Many Reps As Possible” within a set time to build fluency.
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Flip to Heel: Handler-side return into heel position used for engagement/resets.
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Place/Settle: A defined spot where your dog relaxes on cue.
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Phases: Teaching → Reinforcing → Proofing → Maintenance (how a behavior matures).
- Pupdates: Daily updates from your dogs perspective of what new behaviors (or old) your dog has learned that day. May include pictures/videos.
Contact & Support
- Phone: 480.595.6700
- Email: Enroll@PartnersDogs.com
- Locations: Scottsdale & Cave Creek
- Calendars:
Pet Parenting Group Classes turn training into a repeatable, confidence-building routine. With ≈180 new behaviors introduced across eight grades—and a clear path through Teaching, Reinforcing, Proofing, and Maintenance—you’ll see steady progress that sticks. Choose drop-ins ($65), a class membership (4x or 8x/mo), or unlock 10% / 20% / 30% discounts with Plus / Premium / Platinum training memberships. New to Partners? Book PD360 online and we’ll call with your placement. Existing client? Ask your trainer and jump into the right class—your next great rep is waiting.
*Drop-in's are not recommended and are only for those who have been to that specific class before. If you are unsure about a class or if your dog is attending the right one, call 480.595.6700.