760-266-PAWS
Group Dog Training Classes
Get Pawsitive offers a variety of in person group puppy and dog training classes, taught by our loving certified trainers in Encinitas and Vista, San Diego. We use a positive approach to problem-solving, prevention, and training, all without the use of force.
What Your Pup Will Learn:
From helping your new puppy with training and socialization skills, to teaching your rescue dog basic manners, to even working towards becoming a certified therapy dog team or receiving your AKC Canine Good Citizen, we can help!
Location: Encinitas & Vista CA
Rancho Coastal Humane Society
389 Requeza St.
Encinitas, CA 92024
*Some group classes are held at Encinitas Community Park and also at Buena Vista park in Vista, 92084.
Great resource for our puppies!
Sarah helped us prepare prior to their arrival (training and stuff we would need). Puppy Kinder with Get Pawsitive was very helpful for us and helped us be better pet owners. Having puppies is harder than we remembered and there were many times we didn’t know if we could do it but the training helped empower us and stimulate/challenge the pups. Highly suggest this training program, organization, Sarah and her team.
Nesia Moradian, Puppy Class Graduate
Classes
Classes are ongoing (with exceptions) and based on age so that you can start at any time-pending spaces available. Classes are held consecutively in our sanitized private outdoor training classroom in Encinitas. Due to the high demand, there are no make-ups offered at this time. We prefer to give clients and pups as much attention as possible while keeping the experience positive so we keep our classes to four to five pups max.
Requirements:
All dogs must be in good health and current on vaccines. We encourage puppies to begin training right away and those under 16 weeks of age must show proof of first round of shots and a clean bill of health. Read more about the importance of early puppy socialization here. Our insurance does not allow the use of prong collars, choke chains, or e-collars (shock, vibrate, stim).
Puppy Training Classes
Puppy Socials & Outings
10 weeks - 6 months
$49 per pup per class
Come Play with us! We want to make it easy for you to check the socialization box off for your puppy!
We provide puppies a safe, controlled environment to play and learn how to appropriately interact with other puppies their age.
You'll also learn:
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What socialization for puppies really is
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Safe and appropriate play
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The importance of teaching puppies to be calm around others
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What to do when things go south
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Safety tips
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Best things for your pup to explore
Puppy Socials are a fabulous complement to our Puppy Training Classes!
Or join us for one of our training outings on location for safe and controlled puppy socialization with other puppies in his age range. Places include spots like: cafes, home depot, parks, and more. Your puppy can have some fun exploring new places & objects while meeting new canine and human (instructors) friends and experiencing new sights, sounds, and smells.
WHEN: TBD
( a la carte social play) other varying times/dates
WHERE: Training yard / Outings Vary
This is not daycare. Pet Parents should plan to come to learn with puppy.
Pawsitive Puppy Preschool
8 weeks - 16 weeks
$250 - includes all 5 consecutive classes
Small Group Style: 4-5 dogs
What's special about our group class? Our puppy classes are kept small for more personalized training, attention, and support for both the puppy and the handler. Small groups allow for better positive learning experiences overall and less overwhelm for your puppy.
Is there a new family member in town!? This is the class for you if you’re raising a new puppy! The first several months of a puppy’s life are the most ideal time to socialize him and will help him grow into a perfect family member by setting up a good foundation from the start.
We’ll show you how to build a connection and relationship with your new pup, with a positive training approach, while tackling all of those common puppy behaviors that you really don’t want - nipping, chewing inappropriate things, potty issues, stealing items, digging and jumping.
From focusing and listening, to calmly relaxing on his Magic Mat, you’ll become a great team as you teach your pup what you WANT. Plus, you get top tips and tricks for managing excess energy and naughty behaviors through appropriate enrichment activities. Puppy Preschool includes the all-important playtime too. Puppies are matched by size and personality so that every pup has a safe and positive experience. This program has a three-pronged approach: Training, Exploration and Socialization.
BONUS: Add a private orientation or our puppy training bundle during registration and save!
Puppy Kinder Level 1
16 weeks - 6 months
$250 - includes all 5 consecutive classes
Small Group Style: 4-5 dogs
Give your puppy the education they need to grow into a calm, confident, and well-mannered companion.
Whether you’re just getting started or continuing your puppy’s education, this class builds the foundation for a well-mannered dog at home and out in the world.
In this class we focus on important early life skills including:
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Loose-leash walking
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Coming when called
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Attention and focus on the handler
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Calm greetings with people
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Learning to relax
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Appropriate social time with other puppies
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Training tips and discussion of common young puppy challenges
Our group classes are intentionally kept small so both puppies and their handlers receive personalized attention and support. Smaller groups create a calmer learning environment, helping puppies build confidence and positive learning experiences without feeling overwhelmed.
Did you recently adopt a puppy? Hoping to raise the best-behaved dog possible? Worried your puppy may be missing out on important socialization?
Puppy Kindergarten helps jump-start your puppy’s training while building confidence around people and other dogs in a safe, fun, and structured environment.
This class is a wonderful next step for Puppy Preschool graduates, but puppies are also welcome even if they did not attend Preschool. Many families begin training at this stage, and we’ll help get your puppy off to a great start.
Location: Encinitas
BONUS: Add-on private orientation - add on during registration and save!
Middle School Mutts
7 months- 18 months
$250 - includes all 5 consecutive classes
Small Group Style: 4-5 dogs
Welcome to the teenage phase of your dog’s education! As puppies grow into adolescents, they often become more independent, easily distracted, and suddenly seem to forget some of the skills they once knew. That’s completely normal—and exactly what this class is designed to help with.
Middle School Mutts focuses on guiding dogs through this important developmental stage while strengthening the foundation skills that lead to reliable, well-mannered adult dogs.
This class is a great next step for Puppy Kindergarten graduates who are ready to continue strengthening and practicing the skills they’ve already started learning. It’s also a wonderful option for adolescent dogs who are just getting started with training and need help building focus and reliability.
In this small-group class, you and your dog will work on:
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Strengthening recall
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Improving leash manners
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Building focus around distractions
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Developing impulse control
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Encouraging calm behavior in stimulating environments
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Increasing reliability with known cues
Classes are kept small so each dog and handler receives personalized attention and support. Training is positive and force-free, creating a fun and encouraging environment where adolescent dogs can learn and succeed.
This class helps channel teenage energy into productive learning while building the skills dogs need for adult life. Many graduates continue on to High School Hounds to further polish real-world manners and reliability.
BONUS: Add-on private orientation - add on during registration and save!
Adult Training Classes
Requirements:
Your dog must be comfortable being around other dogs within 10 feet of them. Excessive barking is not suitable for our basic adult classes. If your dog has a history of barking at dogs on leash, growling or has bitten another dog, please contact us about private training or our Bark Class. All dogs must be in good health and current on vaccines. All ages welcome! Our insurance does not allow the use of prong collars, choke chains, or e-collars (shock, vibrate, stim).
High School Hounds
Adult pups
Real-Life Skills for Everyday Dogs
Great for adult dogs - dogs 6+ months welcome
$255 - includes all 5 consecutive classes
Have you had your dog for a few months… or several years?
Recently welcomed home a newly adopted dog?
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve taken a training class and you’re ready for a refresher!?
Just like kids, dogs benefit from continuing their education! High School Hounds focuses on building the real-life skills that help dogs become calm, attentive, and enjoyable companions in everyday situations.
In this small-group class, we strengthen your dog’s foundation of focus, relaxation, and cooperation, helping you build a positive and lasting relationship together.
You and your dog will practice skills such as:
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Loose-leash walking
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Coming when called
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Relaxing on a mat
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Paying attention around distractions
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Improving listening and responsiveness
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Everyday manners for life at home and in public
Great for adult dogs, with dogs 6+ months welcome. This class is perfect for polishing manners, strengthening communication, and helping your dog become the best companion they can be.
Because this class focuses on skill-building in a group environment, it is not suitable for overly fearful, reactive, or highly disruptive dogs. If your dog is struggling with these behaviors, we recommend starting with a private training consultation so we can create a plan that sets you both up for success.
BONUS: Add-on private orientation - save now when you register!
Specialty Training Classes
(NEW!)Pet Assisted Therapy Prep Class
Building compassionate partnerships for therapy work
6+ months
$325- includes all 6 consecutive classes
Is Your Dog Ready to Make a Difference?
Join Heart to Heart: our 6-week Pet-Assisted Therapy Dog Prep Class and discover how you and your dog can bring joy and comfort to those in need! Led by a certified trainer and Therapy Evaluator for Rancho Coastal Humane Society's PAT program, this engaging course combines hands-on training, interactive exercises, and real-world practice to help you determine if therapy work is the right fit for your dog. You’ll sharpen your observation skills, learn to recognize early signs of stress and build the confidence needed for successful therapy visits.
With the support of video analysis, supplemental instructional videos, and comprehensive sessions, you'll have ongoing resources to continue learning between classes. Plus, in Week 5, you and your dog will participate in a practice therapy visit off-site—a perfect opportunity to apply your new skills and assess readiness for future certification.
If you're ready to strengthen your bond with your dog while making a positive impact, don’t miss out—reserve your spot today! This class does not include testing and does not guarantee your pup to be a Therapy dog.
Next Class: Coming This Spring!
Class Pre-requisites:
Has completed a group class and has basic manners/obedience
Be at least 6 months old for this class at enrollment
Non-reactive in a group setting
Up-to-date vaccines
Please note: Testing (AKC CGC & Therapy Test) is not included in the course but is required to officially join most therapy dog organizations. Dog's age requirement for Therapy program age req is 12 months.
Walk With Me: Leash Foundations
$265- 4 week class
Tired of your dog leading the walks? Dreading going around the block because your dog pulls? Not sure what to do when your dog doesn't listen on leash? Embarrassed to even step out your front door?
Let's change that!
Join our new "Walk With Me" class where you and your dog will focus on loose leash walking tips and exercises to improve your pup's walking, focus and listening skills on leash. You get the best tips to perfect your dog's attention when distractions happen and tools to teach your dog to stop, turn and follow you for an all-around better walking experience.
This 4-week class is limited to only 4 handler teams to allow for more one-on-one attention. Don’t wait to experience the joy of a fun walk with your pup.
5 months +
Requirements:
5 months and up. Up to date on vaccines. No make-ups offered at this time. No prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars allowed please. Knowledge of using a merker signal; previous training or class with Get Pawsitive preferred.
Bark Class
$300 - 5 week series
Embarrassed because your dog barks at every dog you pass? Can't seem to get control of Fido? Maybe your pup is simply just a bit too over-excited and has a difficult time calming down in new environments around other dogs? Lunging, barking, and growling near or around dogs?
If you answered yes to any of these questions this class is for you.
The Bark Classes have you working in a small group of three dogs, and with extra personal attention, but without the cost of private lessons. Just you, your dog and two other teams are in The Bark class.
The goal is to help teach your dog new associations and how to better cope in their stressful, overwhelming environments. You will also learn leash skills, management skills, recognize the body language needed to get out of difficult situations as well as how to change your dog’s behavior.
Requirements:
Discussion on dog's background prior to enrolling is required. This class is not for dogs reactive to people. For owners who are anxious or concerned about their dog’s safety or their own, displays fear with people or if your dog has a current bite history a private in-home training consult** is recommended.
Next Class: This FALL!
*No prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars allowed.
Email us to inquire.
Recall 101- Unleash Your Dog's Desire to Come When Called
$250 - 4 week series
Teach your dog that coming when called is the best decision they can make.
A reliable recall is one of the most important life skills your dog can learn. In Recall 101, we focus on building your dog’s enthusiasm and motivation to return to you quickly and happily when called.
This fun and engaging 4-week specialty class teaches you games and training strategies that make coming when called exciting and rewarding for your dog. The goal is a dog who turns on a dime and races back to you, even when distractions are around.
You’ll begin to learn how to:
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Build a strong and reliable recall cue
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Increase your dog’s motivation to choose you
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Practice fun recall games that build speed and enthusiasm
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Strengthen your dog’s response around distractions
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Make coming when called the best choice your dog can make
Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when our next Recall 101 session opens. Spaces are limited so we can provide plenty of individual coaching for each team.
Requirements:
6 months and up. Dog may not be reactive in public towards other dogs/people.
Sip Sit Stay Brew Class
TBD
Need a paws from the hustle and bustle to enjoy some chill time with your dog?
SIP...SIT…STAY......DRINK!
Join us for our brewery class to learn best practices for a relaxing time with your pup at a local brewery. Contact us for upcoming classes near you.
Requirements:
Dog may not be reactive in public towards other dogs/people.
GROUP CLASS REFUND POLICY:
We do not provide refunds less than 72 hours for group classes once you have paid to secure a spot in a class. If you have any difficulties registering or have any questions, please contact us by email at support@getpawsitive.com or by phone at 858-336-3590