Group Dog Training
Build better behavior and confidence in a group setting
K9s Place provides a structured, multi-stage training pathway for dogs preparing to become service dogs. Our programs focus on obedience, confidence building, distraction proofing, and handler communication. Every dog begins with a readiness evaluation and moves into the foundation training path appropriate for their age and skill level. From there, qualified dogs enter our group class progression, which creates the foundation needed for all future service dog work.
Schedule Your Pup's Evaluation
Group Dog Training Programs
| Program | Format / Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Package | 5 Play and Learns + 3 Private 1-on-1 Classes | $549 |
| AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy | 6 sessions, 50 minutes each week | $250 |
| K9s Place Basic Obedience | 6 sessions, 50 minutes each week | $250 |
| Canine Good Citizen | 6 sessions, 50 minutes each week | $250 |
| Canine Good Citizen Advanced | 6 sessions, 50 minutes each week | $250 |
| Canine Good Citizen Urban | 6 sessions, 50 minutes each week | $250 |
| Service Dog Handler Course | 6 sessions, 50 minutes each week | $250 | Task Training | Hourly session | $150/hr |
GrouP Program Breakdowns
🐾 Puppy Package
Play & Learn + Private Training • 8 Total Sessions • $549
The Puppy Package combines structured play-based learning with one-on-one training to give your dog a strong early foundation. Puppies build confidence through guided socialization while also beginning to learn basic obedience skills.
The private sessions allow for more personalized attention, helping address specific behaviors and establish routines at home. This balanced approach helps puppies develop both socially and behaviorally.
Best for: New puppy owners looking to build structure, confidence, and early obedience from the start.
🐕 AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Group Class • 6 Sessions • $250
This group class is designed for puppies 6 months or younger and focuses on early socialization, confidence building, and foundational obedience. Puppies learn commands such as sit, down, heel, and recall while interacting with other dogs and people in a controlled environment.
Owners also learn how to build effective routines at home, including exercise, feeding, potty training, and mental stimulation. All six sessions must be attended to complete the program.
Best for: Puppies under 6 months who need structured socialization and early obedience training.
🦴 K9s Place Basic Obedience
Group Class • 6 Sessions • $250
This faster-paced group class introduces both dogs and owners to commonly used obedience commands while preparing them for more advanced training. It serves as a bridge between early puppy training and Canine Good Citizen programs.
Dogs learn commands such as leave it, off, focus, wait, and stay, while reinforcing sit, down, heel, and recall. The class builds consistency and prepares dogs for more structured environments.
Best for: Dogs transitioning from puppy training or preparing for Canine Good Citizen certification.
🐕🦺 Canine Good Citizen
Group Class • 6 Sessions • $250
This class focuses on improving reliability by increasing distance, duration, and distractions in obedience commands. Dogs learn to maintain control even in more challenging situations.
By the end of the program, dogs are expected to hold a stay at a distance, perform recalls with distractions, walk calmly in a crowd, and remain composed when greeting strangers and other dogs.
Best for: Dogs ready to improve obedience consistency and work toward real-world reliability.
🐕🦺 Canine Good Citizen Advanced
Group Class • 6 Sessions • $250
This program builds on the foundation of Canine Good Citizen by introducing outdoor environments with new distractions such as sounds, smells, and unfamiliar surroundings.
Dogs are challenged to maintain obedience in more realistic settings, helping strengthen their ability to stay focused outside of a controlled classroom environment.
Best for: Dogs that have completed CGC and need stronger performance in real-world environments.
🏙️ Canine Good Citizen Urban
Group Class • 6 Sessions • $250
This class takes training into public, pet-friendly environments such as stores, exposing dogs to busy settings and real-world distractions.
Dogs work through scenarios they are likely to encounter in everyday life, helping them stay calm and responsive in high-traffic environments.
Best for: Dogs preparing for advanced public exposure and real-world obedience situations.
🦺 Service Dog Handler Course
Group Class • 6 Sessions • $250
This course is designed specifically for service dog handlers. It provides guided experience in non-pet-friendly environments such as grocery stores and shopping centers, helping handlers and dogs build confidence together.
With instruction from an experienced service dog handler, clients learn how to navigate public interactions, handle questions, and manage real-life scenarios.
Best for: Service dog teams preparing for public access and real-world handling situations.
🧠 Task Training
Private Training • Hourly Sessions • $150/hr
Task training is customized to each handler’s needs and can take several months of consistent sessions. Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks such as retrieving items, medical alerts, or psychiatric support behaviors.
Each program is tailored to the individual, ensuring that the dog is trained for the specific tasks required in their daily life.
Best for: Service dog handlers needing specialized, task-specific training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any dog that passes the temperament and readiness evaluation and completes the required foundational training qualifies to enter the group class progression.
Not necessarily. Dogs over 6 months may begin with private lessons or the Day Train program if recommended by the trainer. The Board and Train option is ideal for dogs who need more consistent structure or advanced foundational work.
Most service dog candidates spend at least one year completing the group class series. Some dogs repeat class levels to build reliability before advancing.
Task training begins only after the dog has completed the entire group class progression, including the Service Dog Handler Course, and demonstrates consistent, reliable behavior in public settings.
Puppies under 6 months begin with the Puppy Play and Learn program and the S.T.A.R. Puppy class. After completing the puppy package, they enter the Canine Good Citizen class when they reach the appropriate age and skill level.
Yes. Canine Good Citizen, CGC Advanced, CGC Urban, and the Service Dog Handler Course form the core of the service dog readiness pathway.
