Contact us to enroll:
PARL, 34 Elbow St., Providence, RI, 02903
401-421-1399 | customer@parl.org 

Available Classes

Basic Manners
Your dog will learn basic skills such as sit, down, stay, come, leave-it, wait, attention, proper greeting, and loose leash walking.  Discussions include how to troubleshoot common behavior problems, how to set your dog up for success, the importance of consistency in training and how to build a stronger relationship with your dog. Price: Six sessions for $95. Eight dogs per session max.
NEXT AVAILABLE CLASS: Starts Saturday, June 14 from 9 - 10 AM

Beyond the Basics
Build on the foundation behaviors learned in Basic Manners and prepare you and your dog for real life distractions.  The class seeks to increase the difficulty of basic obedience skills.  Prerequisite:  successful completion of a Basics Manners course or equivalent. Price: Six sessions for $95. Eight dogs per session max.
NEXT AVAILABLE CLASS: Starts Saturday, June 14 from 10 - 11 AM
 
AKC-Certified Canine Good Citizen
Practice and strengthen the skills required for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, and even earn a CGC title.  This class covers greeting strangers and other dogs, being petted and groomed while staying under control, come when called, stay, coping with distractions, and loose leash walking.  The AKC Canine Good Citizen test is offered on the week following your final class. Price: Six sessions for $95. Eight dogs per session max.
NEXT AVAILABLE CLASS: Starts Saturday, July 26 from 10 - 11 AM

What To Bring to Class

• 4’ or 6’ nylon or leather leash – NO FLEXI LEASHES!
• Treats (soft, small) amd dog’s favorite toy
• Secure collar

About the Trainers

Joyce Gauthier, CPDT
For the past 14 years, Joyce has provided group training and private in-home classes covering basic manners through competition obedience and aggression issues.  She has volunteered at the PARL for 18 years in canine socialization, behavior evaluations, dog training, and training new volunteers on dog handling.  She is a Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and received her Certified Pet Dog Trainer certification in 2005.  An avid believer in positive reinforcement methods, she trains and competes in agility and rally obedience with her two German shepherds.

Sue Lussier
Sue credits Nikita, a Sheppard/Sharpei mix adopted from PARL 12 years ago, for helping her catch the "training bug".  Sue and Nikita took classes and volunteered for PARL's shelter-dog training and socialization group.  She is a certified Pet Assisted Therapy Facilitator with Delta Society and a certified training instructor with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She holds group and private training sessions and is the senior trainer for RI's Canine 4H Club where she coaches kids under the age of 12 on positive training and dog ownership. 

Rules & Restrictions

Dog Aggression
At this time, PARL’s canine training program cannot accommodate dog-aggressive dogs. Dogs with aggression issues can either schedule private lesson with our trainers or will be referred to a facility that offers “Feisty Fido” classes.

Application & Liability Waiver
We require that each class participant fill out an application and canine profile ahead of the first class. In addition, each participant must read and sign a liability waiver.  These must be supplied with your $45 non-refundable deposit at PARL.

Dismissal Policy
PARL reserves the right to dismiss any enrollee from its canine obedience classes for any reason.

Weather
Classes are held outdoors and are weather dependent. If class needs to be cancelled, then PARL will call all students and will post notices on PARL’s front door. PARL will also reschedule your class for a make-up date.