Humane Society of Western Montana -

Indoor Dog Games

In this 3 week mini course you and your dog will learn fun and easy games that will keep you both sane on long winter days. A good brain workout will do wonders to tire out your dog – without ever stepping outside! No previous training is required, but we will be working in a room with other dogs. Come play! Your dog will love these indoor dog games!

Off Leash Adventures

This 3 week mini course focuses on how to hike safely and responsibly with your dog. We will study dog interactions and body language, and practice skills like coming when called.  Your dog will have a blast hiking off leash with other dogs and people!

Out & About Missoula

Take your training skills out on the town!  This three week mini course is designed to help you and your dog practice polite manners while experiencing all Missoula has to offer.  The cost is $45 per dog/handler team. 

Tricks

Trick training is the ultimate brain game that can be done anywhere, anytime!  In Tricks class you will learn over 15 tricks including wave, figure 8s, tip toe, and more! This class is great for tiring out busy and active dogs, and also for building confidence in shy dogs. Dogs of any age, breed, and size are welcome, but dogs should have a Basic Manners or similar class under their collars first.  Our Tricks trainer has over 9 years of trick training experience and has previously trained one of her dogs to be a Certified Expert Trick Dog! Please email Tiff at tiff.shao@myhswm.org if you have questions or want to make sure Tricks class is the best fit for your dog.

Advanced Manners

Take your dog training to the next level!  In our Advanced Manners class we will continue working on basic behaviors, but apply them to real-life situations involving distractions.  For example, we'll practice using a down/stay when you are having lunch with a friend, or using recall to your advantage when hiking in an off leash area.  As with all of our classes, you and your dog will receive personalized tips and attention to help you obtain your specific training goals.  Please email training@myhswm.org with any questions. 

Basic Manners

Your dog is a member of your family and we want to help them act like one! Our Basic Manners class will show you and your dog how to work effectively as a team and communicate with each other. This six week session is designed to help owners teach their dogs behaviors- such as sit, down, come, stay and walking on a loose leash- that will result in a safe, happy and enjoyable relationship. This is a very popular class and tends to fill up quickly, please register in advance if possible.  To ensure you and your dog receive some one-on-one instruction, we only enroll a maximum of five dogs per class

In Basic Manners, the first class is held without dogs, so just bring yourself and any family members that would like to participate in training.  During this first class we’ll go over how dogs learn, how class will be run, demo some recommended equipment, clicker training and more.  There will also be time for individual questions and you will receive your first set of homework for the week.  After you register for your class, you will receive email reminders with additional class information, so please be sure to register with an email address you regularly check.  

Please email our training department if you have any additional questions.

Puppy Kindergarten

Socializing your puppy with other dogs is one of the most important things you can do for her!  Socialization with new people, dogs and places is crucial from 8-16 weeks of age and can set the stage for a great future for your pup!   This fun class focuses on socialization, start-up training and preventing problem behaviors like house soiling and inappropriate chewing.  Beginning behaviors like name recognition, sit and coming when called will also be addressed in this class.  Most importantly, your puppy will have the opportunity to meet and play with other dogs and meet new friends, both two and four legged!

This class is ongoing and meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00-6:45 pm for four weeks.  You can start anytime, and then attend four or more weeks in a row depending on the age of your puppy.  Please sign up in advance, either electronically or in person at the shelter in the main lobby, at least 15 minutes before your first class.   Click here to see additional information about this class.

Puppies must have at least one distemper and parvovirus combo vaccine given at least 10 days prior to first class. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations to complete any necessary vaccinations as your puppy grows.  Please do not bring your puppy to class if she appears to be sick in any way.  Call or email if you have questions about your puppy's eligibility for Puppy Kindergarten or if you are not sure if this the best class for your pup.

Register for Puppy class here.

Please email Tiff for additional information.