Flex Classes

Dog training classes. On your schedule.

We offer group dog training classes six days a week at our facility in Providence, RI. Our Flex Class format allows you to start any time and work on the behaviors that are most important to you. Sign up today!

Dog training 101

The first step is to sign up for our Orientation: Dog Training 101 class. (This is the stuff your dog wishes you already knew!) You’ll learn about our dog-friendly training method, meet an instructor, and practice basic exercises before your dog comes to classes.

Learn the basics

After Orientation, select a Flex Pass and start by taking these five Core Manners classes in any order. Repeat them until you and your dog master the skills.

Each class is 45 minutes long and is offered at different dates and times each week. Take a look at our class calendar for an overview of the schedule!

View the Class Calendar >>

Core Manners

Attention Please

On walks, is your dog’s head on a swivel? Are they distracted by every leaf, squirrel, dog, sight, or sound when you try to train them?

In this class, you’ll teach your dog to focus on you no matter what is happening nearby. After briefly glancing at a distraction, they will turn right back to you instead of watching everything else!

Come This Way

Does your dog seem to have “selective hearing” at the dog park? Do you have to chase your dog around to get them to come in from the yard?

Learn the 5 elements to a great recall! This class is jam packed with games for teaching your dog to pay attention and come when called – the first time you call them.

Settle & Stay Put

How many times do you have to say “sit,” “down,” or “stay” before your dog will listen to you? Do they wander off after just a few seconds?

Learn how to get those behaviors the first time you ask. Your dog will learn to sit & down on just one cue, and to stay in those positions until you ask them to get up – even if they get distracted – as well as learn to relax on a mat.

Polite in Public

Would you like to go for a walk without getting dragged by your dog? Would you enjoy taking your dog to outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes?

We’ll help you teach your dog to walk politely on leash, rest by your side while you’re dining, and greet people politely without jumping up.

Self-Control

Does your dog do any of the following: steal food off the table? Snatch food or trash off the sidewalk? Or, do they jump on guests or people saying hi to them?

Learn the crucial difference between “imposed control” (what most dog trainers teach) and “self control” – a dog who stops themselves from jumping, stealing, or snatching the things they want.

Attention Please

On walks, is your dog’s head on a swivel? Are they distracted by every leaf, squirrel, dog, sight, or sound when you try to train them?

In this class, you’ll teach your dog to focus on you no matter what is happening nearby. After briefly glancing at a distraction, they will turn right back to you instead of watching everything else!

Come This Way

Does your dog seem to have “selective hearing” at the dog park? Do you have to chase your dog around to get them to come in from the yard?

Learn the 5 elements to a great recall! This class is jam packed with games for teaching your dog to pay attention and come when called – the first time you call them.

Settle & Stay Put

How many times do you have to say “sit,” “down,” or “stay” before your dog will listen to you? Do they wander off after just a few seconds?

Learn how to get those behaviors the first time you ask. Your dog will learn to sit & down on just one cue, and to stay in those positions until you ask them to get up – even if they get distracted – as well as learn to relax on a mat.

Polite in Public

Would you like to go for a walk without getting dragged by your dog? Would you enjoy taking your dog to outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes?

We’ll help you teach your dog to walk politely on leash, rest by your side while you’re dining, and greet people politely without jumping up.

Self-Control

Does your dog do any of the following: steal food off the table? Jump on guests? Snatch food off the sidewalk?

Learn the crucial difference between “imposed control” (what most dog trainers teach) and “self control” – a dog who stops themselves from jumping, stealing, or snatching the things they want.

Advance your training

Want to go beyond the basics? We’ve got you covered. Your Flex Pass can be used for Elective and Advanced Manners classes, too! Check out the Class Roster for details on those classes.

View the Class Roster >>

What Our Students Say

“Class sizes are smaller than other places I have been, allowing for a less chaotic environment but still plenty of socialization and time for one on one guidance.”

Chelsie & Rhodie

“You will be successful, and you won’t be standing around bored because something is too easy for you.”

Meghan & Jenny

“Because the classes are kept super small, there’s always lots of helpful one-on-one time, with the opportunity to ask questions or get assistance with a particular exercise.”

Emi & Wilson

“The trainers help owners work on small, incremental training methods with your puppy to get big results. They make training approachable and fun!”

Katie & Zeke

Flex Class Policies & FAQs

Dogs participating in Flex Classes must be friendly or neutral toward unfamiliar dogs and people. Dogs who are disruptive during class will be managed with visual barriers or asked to leave, and there are no refunds if your dog’s behavior is inappropriate for dog training classes. If you are at all concerned about your dog’s suitability for group classes, please contact us before enrolling.

Your dog is limited to attending one class per day. If you have multiple dogs, you can attend back-to-back classes with one dog in each class.

Yes. All students, regardless of their background, must attend Orientation first – even professional dog trainers! Orientation covers ground rules for our dog training classes, what to expect in each Flex Class, the basics of our system of dog training, and how to practice some of the most important exercises.

If you have previously attended our Reactive Recovery classes and are transitioning to Flex Classes, you do not need to attend Orientation – the content is covered in Week 1 of Reactive Recovery.

If you are in any other program – Puppy Day School, Intensive Training Programs, private lessons, etc. – you must attend Orientation before coming to any other classes.

Anyone handling a dog in class must attend an Orientation class first. Our classes are fast-paced and all handlers must be on the same page before joining us. If your friend, housemate, significant other, pet sitter, uncle’s cousin’s wife, etc. has attended Orientation with us, they may bring your dog to class.

We keep our class sizes small so you get plenty of one-on-one attention from your instructor. With the exception of Orientation, our Flex Classes are capped at a maximum of 6 dogs per class.

Most classes take place in our training hall, which is over 3100 square feet – plenty of space to learn! When classes are scheduled to take place elsewhere in the facility, class sizes are further limited.

Yes. They must wear pants at all times during dog training classes.

Current clients are more than welcome to “audit” any class in our program without their dog. In fact, many owners report that they learn better and retain more information without their dog present!

Yes! AKC STAR Puppy testing is included free with our Flex Class Passes. Your puppy is eligible to take the AKC STAR Puppy test after attending six manners classes with you. (Orientation & sports classes do not count toward this six class requirement.)

We offer AKC Canine Good Citizen testing approximately quarterly. Our tests are open to the general public. These tests are posted on our class calendar.

In order to keep our class sizes small, we limit the number of active class passes at any given time. Expiration dates will only be extended if your dog is sick or injured, and you provide a note from your veterinarian (on letterhead) with a specific range of dates that your dog is unable to attend classes.

We understand that life can get in the way of dog training sometimes, but to keep things fair for all of our students, this is the only circumstance under which we will extend an Class Pass expiration date.

Our classes are popular, and many fill 5-7 days in advance. You can add yourself to the wait list for any class you are interested in. When a classmate cancels out of class, you’ll get an email inviting you to sign up. It’s very common for students to get into classes from the wait list!

We use wait list activity to decide when to add more classes to our schedule, and only consider extending Flex Pass expiration dates for clients who were on class wait lists and did not get in.

All dogs participating in group dog training classes must have an up-to-date distemper/parvo vaccination, or annual titers. All dogs over 16 weeks of age must also have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, per state law. We must have these on file before your dog enters the building. You may:

  • Scan & e-mail them to woof@crossbonesdog.com
  • Have your vet fax them to (401) 330-5892
  • Bring a paper copy of the vaccinations to Orientation for us to keep – we cannot return your copy.

Please note there are additional health requirements for dogs attending our other programs.

Don’t sweat it – we cover all of this during Orientation! If you forget something, we have items for sale in our retail store.

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy for our group dog training classes. If you e-mail us at least 24 hours before the class, we can restore the credit to your account. Do not call us to cancel – we need written notice.

You can also cancel your class registration by clicking the button that says “Change/Cancel Appointment” at the bottom of the class auto-responder e-mail you receive when you register.

If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, we will only issue a credit if we can fill your spot in class.

If you are unsure if our program is for you, you can pay to attend Orientation before purchasing a Flex Pass. At Orientation, you will meet a trainer, see our facility, and learn more about how we train dogs here at Crossbones.

Beyond that, you do need to purchase to a Flex Pass. Creating behavior change takes a commitment to attend multiple classes, and our classes are not designed for single attendance.

Yes, absolutely! Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an additional adult who is not handling the dog in class. Children ages 8 and older may participate in the training.

Yes! If you have two dogs who both really need training, our recommendation is that each dog attends 10 classes. This means you’ll need a Great Dog Flex Pass.

Your dogs can’t attend the same class without prior approval from one of our instructors. Each of your dogs needs to attend a couple classes by themselves before attending classes together. Each dog MUST have their own handler – you can’t train two dogs in a class at the same time.

At this time, we do not offer therapy dog testing here at Crossbones. However, our dog training classes can absolutely help prepare you for becoming a therapy dog team! Several of our students have gone on to become certified therapy dog teams. We recommend aiming for our CGC Prep class. For a dog trained to the CGC level, the additional skills for therapy dog testing are generally easy to achieve.

No problem. You can visit our facility between 3-6:30PM Monday through Friday to pay in person for a Flex Pass. (Don’t forget to include RI pet services tax of 7%.) You may not register for any classes until we have received your payment.

Each of our dog training classes is between 45-50 minutes long. In our experience, 60 minute classes are just too long for most dogs (and some people!), so we have reduced the class time to make sure you and your dog get the most out of your time spent here. This also leaves time for the instructor to answer basic, curriculum-related questions after class and clean/sanitize the space.

If you purchased a Great Dog Flex Pass, it includes a bonus 30-minute Virtual Consult to take place over Zoom or as a phone call. This is a great opportunity to discuss your goals for your dog or get a bit of guidance on a problem that isn’t covered in Flex Class curriculum. Click here to schedule that appointment.

Ready to have a well-trained dog?

Questions?

Contact us – we’re happy to help!