Purely Positive Dog Training offers on-going training, behavior modification and specialty classes in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms and West Ashley, and North Charleston for all breeds of puppies, adult and senior dogs. From basic training to advanced level skills, our large range of classes are designed to meet the needs you may have with your dog.

Our classes provide hands-on training, socialization opportunities and are a lot of fun for both dogs and dog owners!  In each class, there will be opportunities to discuss your dog’s specific issues with our experienced trainers.  You will receive training materials and handouts so that you may follow up at home with the new skills you and your dog have learned in class.

If you have questions as to which class is best for you and your dog, please contact us at 843.532.8154 or email susan@purelypositive.com.

Beginners

Surviving Puppyhood

Kinderpuppy Class – for ages 12 to 20 weeks
(toy breeds may attend at any age)

In this course, puppies are taught basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, leave it, wait at the door, watch me, walk on a loose leash, and come when called. Socialization is encouraged with both people and other puppies. Our trainers will be on hand to offer advice on housetraining, bite inhibition, jumping up and other inappropriate behaviors.

Classes are one hour per week over a seven week period, with an orientation as the first week. Please do not bring your puppy to orientation. For puppies’ protection, they must have three DHLPP vaccinations plus a Kennel Cough (Bordatella) vaccination in order to attend. A Rabies’ vaccination is not necessary if your puppy is too young. The cost is $120.00.

Just the Basics
for six months to any adult age

Just the Basics’ is a great introductory class for dogs six months of age or over. Dogs may attend with no previous training, or may use the class as a refresher course after previously attending Kinderpuppy. Dogs are taught good manners and basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stand, stay, wait, leave it, watch me, walk on a loose leash, go to your bed, come, and hand signals. Classes are one hour per week over a seven week period, with an orientation as the first week. Please do not bring your dog to orientation. The cost is $120.00.

Intermediate

Canine Good Citizenship Class

This class is for puppies and young dogs that have completed the Kinderpuppy Class or for adult dogs who are ready to work towards their Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) certificate. Its an excellent preparatory class for therapy work as well! Dogs learn to sit and down stay with distractions and at a distance, calmly greet people and other dogs, walk on a loose leash, and practice other skills from the CGC test. Lots of problem behavior solving included! The test will be given on the last day. Please visit the official AKC page for more information about this program. The class lasts for six weeks and the cost is $120.00.

C.L.A.S.S.  (Canine Life and Social Skills)

C.L.A.S.S. stands for Canine Life and Social Skills and is a national program developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).  This program teaches and appreciates real life skills such as walking politely on a leash with distractions, meeting strangers and dogs, house manners, attention, the ability to relax and remain calm, coming when called, and many others.  C.L.A.S.S. provides dog/student teams the opportunity to have their skills evaluated by the instructor, and if successful, earning three different levels of certification:  B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.  Passing a C.L.A.S.S. Evaluation is recognition of the life skills that a student and their dog have developed together.  To learn more, please visit www.mydoghasclass.com.  C.L.A.S.S. lasts for six weeks and the cost is $120.00.

Fun Nosework

The founders of this new sport have tagged it as “the next urban sport for dogs.” Nose Work develops your dog’s natural scenting and hunting abilities, builds his or her confidence, and burns up physical and mental energy. This class will introduce you to the basics, teach you how to train and observe your dog and how to set up practice sessions. For more information, visit the founders’ website: www.funnosework.com, and watch a great video from Bark Magazine. The class lasts for six weeks and the cost is $120.00.

Advanced

Canine Acting and Tricks

This class teaches many fundamental skills such as touch, foot, and take it, as well as, more traditional tricks such as “Bang You’re Dead,” “Say Your Prayers,” and “Rollover.” Besides building your dog’s repertoire, your dog will become more responsive and more focused. You will also learn how to motivate your dog and how to shape his behavior. Please bring a small mat for your dog, lots of soft treats, a clicker and/or target stick (if you have them), and a four to six foot lead. We do begin working with the dogs on the first meeting. The class lasts for six weeks and the cost is $120.00.

Introduction to Rally Obedience

Rally is the newest American Kennel Club (AKC) sport and provides an intermediate step between companion training and obedience competition. Promoting fun and teamwork, Rally consists of obedience exercises performed like agility on a numbered and timed course. “Introduction to Rally” is a fun and positive way to build obedience skills and rapport with your dog. We’ll cover Rally exercises each week, run Rally courses, and further develop obedience skills including sit, stay, heeling, front, and finish. For more information, please visit the official AKC Rally Obedience Page.  The class lasts for six weeks, and the cost is $120.00.

Real Life 101

Would you like to have a wonderful, well-behaved dog out in public? This course focuses on improving and refining the basic obedience skills learned in beginning and intermediate obedience. Emphasis is placed on “proofing” your dog. We will be working through distractions on all commands including sit and down stays, wait, come, leave it, and heeling. We also cover advanced skills (off-leash) including distance work. Your dog must be friendly to both people and dogs. We do begin working with the dogs on the first meeting. The class lasts for six weeks and the cost is $120.00.

Specialty Classes

Growl Class

Growl Class is for dogs who are reactive when they see other dogs. Reactive behavior includes lunging, barking, growling and whining. The goal of the class is to train your dog to encounter and walk by other dogs without these problem behaviors, and for your dog to remain calm. We’ll also work on how to greet strange dogs in public. Instruction will include leadership techniques, obedience and focus skills and relaxation methods. All handlers will receive training handouts from the instructors, as well as, a copy of Patricia McConnell’s book Feisty Fido. Each handler and dog team will meet with an instructor for a one-on-one training session prior to the beginning of the course. The course lasts for six weeks, and the fee is $195.00.

Skater Haters

Do you dread encountering the neighborhood kid on a skateboard or bicycle?  Does your dog lunge, bark, or become over-stimulated when he sees a runner, scooter, or car?  Join this class to turn those embarassing moments into polite and calm ones.  Skater Haters is a four week class and the cost is $80.00.

Rock Solid Recall

Does your dog sometimes ignore your call to come?  Are there certain distractions that you just can’t get your dog to pass up?  We’ll be using fun games and training techniques to build attention and a strong desire to be with you!  Rock Solid Recall is four weeks in length and the cost is $80.00.

Dogs and Diapers

Dogs and Diapers is a class designed for couples who are planning a family, are expecting or have a new baby. Babies who attend the class can be up to six months and not yet crawling or walking. Dogs will learn useful skills such as walking with the stroller without pulling, lying down while the baby is fed or changed and not jumping up on the baby. Our goal is to reduce stress in daily life with a dog and baby by offering practical but not time-consuming solutions to problems and to teach parents how to manage interactions safely. The course lasts for four weeks, and the fee is $80.00.

Best Friends

This fun and engaging class teaches children how to train their dogs in obedience, agility and tricks. Positive reinforcement techniques are used and safety and responsibility are emphasized. Each week focuses on creating a great working relationship between the child and his or her family dog. Students must be able to control their dog on leash. This class is primarily for children between the ages of 7 and 12. Exceptions may be made at the instructor’s discretion. Parents may leave their child at class, or stay and enjoy! The course lasts for six weeks, and the fee is $120.00.

Bully Breed Basics

Bully Breed is designed for the specific needs of bully breed owners and their dogs. Bully breed is another term for the group of breeds collectively known as Pit Bulls: the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This unique class will channel the bully dog’s energy and intelligence in a fun and positive way, while also teaching self-control and a foundation of solid obedience. History and background of bully breeds will be covered, as well as, the necessity of having the best behaved dog in the neighborhood. All bully breeds and bully breed mixes are welcome. This class lasts for six weeks and the fee is $120.00.

For additional behavior modification classes and day training programs, please check out our Behavior Modification Classes page.

When we adopted our dog Atlas he was extremely skittish. While he was fine with us, he showed fear aggression when around other people and dogs. Susan was recommended to us and we set up private training sessions. After a few private sessions he was able to take classes with other dogs. He took an obedience class, Real Life 101 (twice), and ultimately a Tricks class. Real life 101 was a fantastic class taking the dogs to places all over Charleston and putting them in different situations with people, distractions, and experiences. Atlas still has some issues with people coming in the house, but now he can be walked, go the farmer’s market, and sit on the front porch of our house and is calm and relaxed. Our vet and the staff at the kennel are amazed at his progress over the years as he is no longer upset when he goes there. Now they can touch him and he has started going to the groomer. Atlas’s life and our lives have been dramatically improved because of Susan. She truly is talented and extremely knowledgeable, but most importantly she genuinely cares about her students.

When we were ready to get another dog, it had been a long time since we had a puppy and with Atlas we were hesitant to pick out one on our own. Again, we reached out to Purely Positive for guidance. Heather took the time to help us find the right puppy and now we have Monza, a great addition to our family. Atlas and Monza are getting along great. Heather and Susan are excellent at what they do and we are thankful for all their help.

- Pete Calcagno and Dawn Visceglia