Manners Made Easy Classes
Our Manners Made Easy series takes dogs from basics to real-world reliability in three levels—building core skills, strengthening them around distractions, and polishing them into everyday consistency. Complete all three to graduate, with puppies under a year also eligible for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification.
Dog 1:
Basic Manners
For dogs 6+ months
Basic Manners kicks off our three-part Manners Made Easy series, designed to help your dog grow into a confident, polite companion. You’ll build essential skills like loose leash walking, settling on a mat, coming when called, polite greetings, leave it, targeting, and more. This class sets the foundation for continued success in our program—complete all three levels to become an Out of the Bark Graduate! Dogs under 1 year old also have the option to test for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification.
6 sessions, 50 minutes per session | $360
Age: Dogs 6 months and older
Note: First class is for pet parents only
If your dog is fearful or aggressive contact us before enrolling
-
This class is ideal for dogs 6 months to 2 years old, especially those in the “teenager” stage of development. At this age, many dogs begin to pull on leash, jump on people, bark excessively, mouth, or ignore cues they previously understood. Basic Manners gives you the tools to work through these challenges and build lasting good habits.
-
Dogs in this class will learn real-life skills such as:
Walking politely on leash
Coming when called
Relaxing on a mat
Greeting people without jumping
Focusing around distractions
“Leave it” and “wait” cues
These behaviors set the foundation for a well-mannered dog at home and in public.
-
If your dog shows fearfulness, aggression, or reactivity toward people or other dogs, we recommend starting with a Behavior Consultation or our Control Unleashed class. This ensures your dog has the right support to succeed.
-
No worries! Many dogs aren’t spayed or neutered until 1–2 years old. Your pup is still welcome in Basic Manners. If your dog will be in heat during a class, just let us know so we can plan ahead.
-
Yes! Puppies under 1 year old are eligible to test for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification during this class. It’s a great way to celebrate your pup’s progress and build toward future achievements like the Canine Good Citizen test.
-
After completing Basic Manners, you can continue your training journey with Intermediate Manners and Advanced Manners. Completing all three levels earns your dog the title of Out of the Bark Graduate.
-
Classes meet weekly unless canceled for weather, holidays, or instructor illness. Missed classes cannot be rescheduled or refunded, but you still have options to keep your puppy progressing.
Dog 2:
Intermediate Manners
For dogs who’ve completed Basic Manners, Puppy Preschool, or with instructor approval
Intermediate Manners is designed to support you through your dog’s adolescent phase—when energy is high, impulse control is low, and it feels like all your hard work has disappeared overnight.
In this class, you’ll build on your dog’s foundation by transforming basic skills into reliable habits—even in the face of distractions. Perfect for adolescent dogs, this class helps channel your teen’s endless energy into practical, confidence-building exercises. You’ll strengthen leash walking, recall, stay, “leave it,” and polite greetings while learning how to manage and redirect common teenage behaviors. If your dog’s impulse control seems to have vanished overnight, we’re here to help you reconnect, rebuild focus, and create a calm, cooperative partnership for the road ahead.
5 sessions, 50 minutes per session | $300
Size: Max 6 dogs per class
Pre-Requisite: Basic Manners, Puppy Preschool, or instructor approval
If your dog is fearful or aggressive contact us before enrolling
-
Intermediate Manners is the second level in our Manners Made Easy program at Out of the Bark. This class takes the foundation skills your dog learned in Basic Manners and strengthens them in real-world situations. You’ll work on building reliability and focus, even around distractions, using positive reinforcement training methods.
-
This class is ideal for adolescent dogs (typically 6 months to 2 years old) who already have some training experience but struggle with consistency. If your dog listens well at home but ignores you outside, pulls toward other dogs, or gets overly excited in public, this is the class for you.
-
In this 6-week course, your dog will practice and improve:
Polite leash walking, even around distractions
A stronger, more reliable recall (“come when called”)
Staying in place with duration and distance
Greeting people politely without jumping
Improved impulse control with “leave it” and “wait”
Calming down and focusing in exciting environments
-
The adolescent stage is one of the most challenging times for dog owners. Energy is high, focus is low, and many dogs seem to “forget” their training. Intermediate Manners helps you rebuild focus and impulse control, turning your dog’s boundless energy into positive, cooperative behaviors.
-
All of our training is based on positive reinforcement—rewarding the behaviors we want to encourage. This creates a fun, effective learning experience for both you and your dog.
-
After completing this level, your dog can move on to Advanced Manners, where you’ll refine skills even further and prepare for real-world reliability. Completing all three levels earns your pup the title of Out of the Bark Graduate.
-
Completion of Basic Manners, Puppy Preschool, or instructor approval is required to enroll. This ensures your dog has the foundational skills needed to succeed in Intermediate Manners, build reliable obedience, and continue developing good behavior through positive reinforcement training.
-
If your dog struggles with reactivity, fear, or aggression, we recommend a Behavior Consultation or our Control Unleashed class for individualized support before joining group manners classes.
Dog 3:
Advanced Manners
For dogs who’ve completed Intermediate Manners or have instructor approval
Advanced Manners is the final step in our Manners Made Easy series. Your dog will build on everything learned so far, with a focus on precision, consistency, and real-world reliability. You’ll work on advanced leash walking, shaping behaviors, dependable recall, and polished greetings—even around distractions.
More than just cues, this class is about connection—helping you feel truly in sync with your dog both end of the leash. Complete the course and pass the skills test to become an official Out of the Bark Graduate!
5 sessions, 50 minutes per session | $300
Size: Max 6 dogs per class
Pre-Requisite: Intermediate Manners or instructor approval
If your dog is fearful or aggressive contact us before enrolling
-
Advanced Manners is the final level in our Manners Made Easy training series. This course is designed to help your dog achieve precision, consistency, and reliability with their skills in real-world settings.
-
In this class, we take your training to the next level by refining and polishing the skills you’ve already built. Dogs will practice:
Advanced leash walking with focus
Reliable recall in distracting environments
Polished greetings with people and other dogs
Shaping new, complex behaviors
Consistency and reliability with cues in real-world scenarios
-
This class is about more than just obedience—it’s about teamwork. You’ll strengthen your communication, build trust, and feel truly connected to your dog at both ends of the leash. Advanced Manners ensures your dog not only knows the skills but can perform them confidently anywhere.
-
This course is open to graduates of Intermediate Manners or by instructor approval. It’s perfect for owners who want a well-rounded, reliable dog and are committed to completing their training journey.
-
Upon completion of the course and passing the skills test, your dog will officially earn the title of Out of the Bark Graduate, a recognition of their hard work and your dedication as a training team.