Therapy Dog Preparation

Make a positive impact in your community with our Therapy Track, designed to prepare you and your dog as a confident, connected therapy team. Led by certified trainers, our program builds the manners, skills, and real-world experience needed for therapy dog certification—preparing you and your canine partner to bring comfort and joy to Eugene, Springfield, and across Lane County.

Puppies under 6 months of age start with our puppy track, Puppy Preschool (8–13 weeks) or Puppy Kindergarten (14 weeks–6 months).

DOG 1: TEEN SPIRIT

Teen Spirit is the first step in our three-part Good Manners series, designed to help your dog grow into a confident, well-behaved adult. In this course, you and your dog will focus on building a foundation for loose leash walking, relaxing on a mat (or in a bed), coming when called, polite greetings, leave it, target training, and more! This class lays the groundwork for the rest of our Good Manners series — complete all three levels and master the skills to earn the title of Training Spot Graduate! We also offer the option to test for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification (dogs under 1 year of age).

Details

  • Dogs 6 months and older start here!*
  • 6-week course | $265
  • The first class is a people-only orientation (kids welcome!)
  • Current distemper/parvo vaccines.
  • *If your dog is fearful or aggressive contact us.
  • See Class Schedule

DOG 2: MINDING MY MANNERS

In DOG 2, you’ll keep the momentum going by strengthening the skills introduced in Level 1. This course focuses on improving leash walking, building reliable cues, practicing longer stays, refining “leave it” and recall, and helping your dog stay relaxed and focused around distractions. You’ll also continue working on polite greetings.

Details

  • Pre-requisite: DOG 1 or instructor approval
  • 5-week course | $215
  • 50-minute classes | Limited to 8 dogs
  • See Class Schedule

DOG 3: MASTERING MANNERS

The final level in the Good Manners series brings everything together. This course fine-tunes your dog’s skills and takes them to the next level. You’ll work on advanced leash walking, shaping, recall, consistent polite greetings, and building reliability in distracting environments. Dogs who complete DOG 3 and pass the final skills assessment earn the title of Training Spot Graduate!

Details

  • Pre-requisite: DOG 2 or instructor approval
  • 5-week course | $215
  • 50-minute classes | Limited to 8 dogs
  • See Class Schedule

DOG 4 – Therapy Dog Prep

This 6-week advanced-level course is designed for pet parents interested in preparing their dogs for therapy work or simply becoming exceptional canine citizens. You and your dog will work on consistent loose leash walking, calm and polite greetings, settling while you talk with others, recall, and confident behavior in a variety of settings. The class incorporates AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparatory exercises.

For those interested, the official AKC CGC test will be offered on the last day of class. Earning this nationally recognized title demonstrates your dog’s readiness for therapy work and their ability to remain composed and well-mannered in public spaces.

 

Details
  • Pre-requisite: Training Spot Graduate or Instructor Approval
  • 6-week course | $265
  • 50-minute classes | Limited to 8 dogs
  • See Class Schedule

Electives

Walk This Way

Take your leash-walking skills to the next level! This class focuses on fine-tuning your dog’s ability to walk politely by your side. You’ll practice stopping when you stop, maintaining focus while walking together, and incorporating sniff walks for enrichment. Perfect for pet parents who want enjoyable, stress-free walks with their dogs.

Details

Polite Greetings

Are your dog’s greetings a bit over the top? This class is perfect for pet guardians looking to teach their dogs how to say hi politely without the excitement and chaos. Whether your dog is an extrovert or an introvert, they have their own way of letting you know how they prefer to greet people. Learn how to teach your dog to stay with you or go say hi on cue, whether on leash or at the door, for stress-free and polite introductions

Details

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