group classes
Classes are offered in Hermosa Beach, located in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Residents of Hermosa Beach receive a discount on registration from the city. Please note that we specialize in positive reinforcement training and therefore, prong, choke and shock collars will not be permitted in class. Treats, however, are welcomed and encouraged!
Learn about our current offerings:
AKC Canine Good Citizen | Basic Manners | Friend-finder Playdate | Little Paws, Big Hearts | Puppy Party | Puppy Playschool | Rascal Romp | RoveReactive | RoveReactive Reboot | RoveReactive Support Group | Teaching Your Kids to Be Their Dog’s Best Friend | Toby's Tail Waggin' Tots
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is an AKC certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The CGC program is an advanced training class that stresses responsible pet ownership and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club, laying the foundation for dogs who want to progress into therapy work. As you teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the joys of training your dog and will enhance the bond between you and your pooch. Prerequisite: All dogs must have basic obedience skills such as "sit" and "down" and must be friendly and well-adjusted. Prong, choke and shock collars are not permitted. All dogs must have current vaccinations; please bring proof of inoculations to first class.
Starts April 28, June 16 and August 4
Duration: meets one hour for six weeks
11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Edith Rodaway Park, Hermosa Beach
Basic Manners
Teach your dog to sit, come to you, lie down, stay, heel and much more in this fun and informative six-week class using positive reinforcement techniques to help foster calm, confident and happy dogs. Prong, choke and shock collars are not permitted. All dogs must have current vaccinations; please bring proof of inoculations to first class. Humans only during our first class, which will serve as orientation. Your registration will be approved and confirmed prior to the start of class.
Starts March 31 sold out April 28, June 16 and August 4
Duration: meets one hour for six weeks
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Edith Rodaway Park, Hermosa Beach
$165
(Hermosa Beach residents, $155)
Friend-finder Playdate
Would you like your rascal to make some more Furry Friends? Dog's Best Friend can hook you up. We'll help you introduce your rascals in the appropriate manner and make sure they're meant to be BFF's, Best Furry Friends. Available to past and present Dog's Best Friend clients only.
contact us if you're interested!
Duration: one hour
Usually held in Hermosa Beach
Each friend, $30
Created just for the little ones, little paws, big hearts, is a special class designed for rascals 15 pounds and under. In this six week group class, your little one will learn all the basics, from sit, leave it, to “go to bed.” In addition to these all important manners, we’ll focus on off leash socialization and the unique needs of petite pups. Little ones from the ages of four months to two years of age welcome. (More mature rascals welcome, with our approval.) All dogs must have current vaccinations; please bring proof of inoculations to first class. Humans only during our first class, which will serve as orientation. Your registration will be approved and confirmed prior to the start of class.
Starts April 14
Duration: meets one hour for six weeks
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hermosa Beach Community Center, Hermosa Beach
$165
(early bird registration by April 7, $155)
Puppy Party
Socialize your puppy with other healthy rascals at this one-hour party designed just for the little ones. It's not all fun and games though, we'll do some training, too! Perfect for puppies between 10 and 18 weeks of age. All puppies must have current vaccinations (appropriate for their age); please bring proof of inoculations to the party. letter of veterinarian approval/proof of good health will be required. Your registration will be approved and confirmed prior to the start of class.
For the health of all the puppies, you must receive written or verbal approval from Dog's Best Friend before attending.
No party scheduled, but sign-up for an announcement on a future date!
Held at a location in the South Bay
Puppy, $25
Puppy Playschool
Puppy Playschool was created just for pups between the ages of 10-18 weeks. in this one-hour, off-leash training and socializing class, your pups will learn to sit, lay down, come when called and most importantly, how to socialize appropriately with other friendly pups and humans. Class will be held in a sterile, clean and safe environment, with other healthy (vet-approved) rascals.
For the health of all the puppies, you must receive written or verbal approval from dog's best friend before attending the first class. all puppies must have received two sets of vaccinations, proof of which is required in order to participate in the class. please contact us for additional documentation requirements.
Starts May 19
Duration: meets one hour for six weeks
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hermosa Beach Community Center, Hermosa Beach
Rascal Romp
this special event is for all those tween puppies who want to hook up with some frisky puppy pals, and make some fun furry friends. we'll do some serious socializing and learn some pawesome new skills, too! dog's best friend graduates and current clients between the ages of five and 18 months of age invited.
No party scheduled, but sign-up for an announcement on a future date!
Held at a location in the South Bay
Tween puppy, $25
RoveReactive
When you're walking your dog on leash, does he lunge, bark or growl at other dogs, skateboards, people? In this intensive six-week class, we'll give you the tools to help change and manage this behavior, using modern, empirically proven positive reinforcement techniques which help foster calm, well-adjusted, happy dogs. Prong, choke and shock collars are not permitted. All dogs must have current vaccinations; please bring proof of inoculations to first class. Humans only during our first class, which will serve as orientation. *Due to the nature of the class, there is a maximum enrollment of six dogs.
Starts March 31, June 16 and August 4
Duration: meets one hour for six weeks
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Edith Rodaway Park, Hermosa Beach
$225
(Hermosa Beach residents, $215)
RoveReactive Reboot
Designed as a forum to help graduates of our RoveReactive class/private training continue to work the skills they have learned and provide ongoing support as they help their dogs become calmer, more confident and well-adjusted. We'll meet every Thursday of the month to discuss solutions for everyday challenges these special dogs face. *Due to the nature of the class, there is a minimum enrollment of four dogs and a one-month commitment is required.
Starts January 5
Duration: meets once a week for one month
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hermosa Beach
$110/month
Designed as a forum to help graduates of RoveReactive class/private training continue to work the skills they learned, this one-hour group meeting provides support for dog parents who face special challenges. These monthly progress check-ins are problem-solving sessions to help deal with issues that may have arisen since the last meeting.
February 28
duration: meets once a month
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Held at a location in Hermosa Beach
$20
In this hourlong class, kids and parents will learn to safely approach dogs, tips to properly care for them and fun, compassionate and effective ways to train their pooch. Bring the entire family and help kids be their Dog's Best Friend. Trainer Rebecca Mandell's Canine Good Citizens, Toby and Spencer, will be on hand to help demonstrate. Humans only. No food or drink allowed in class. Please bring chairs or blankets to sit on. Kids with pet allergies or extreme fear of dogs should not participate.
No date currently set, but sign-up for an announcement on a future event!
Hermosa Beach Community Center
710 Pier Avenue, Room 8, Hermosa Beach
Adults, $10
Kids Ages 2 and up, $5
Kids Under 2, Free
Toby's Tail Waggin Tots
Designed for our Puppy Playschool graduates and other friends who know the basics, this class continues to build a strong training and socialization foundation and takes it to the next level. We’ll enjoy off-leash play in our friendly group to practice proper interaction and take field trips out into the big, wide world to strengthen our polite manners, including walking nicely on-leash, greeting and recall skills in a more “distraction-prone” environment. Prerequisite: all puppies between the ages of 5-9 months are welcome, but those who are new to Dog’s Best Friend must have trainer’s approval. Please email us to inquire before registering.
For the health of all the puppies, you must receive written or verbal approval from Dog's Best Friend before attending the first class.
No date currently set, but sign-up for an announcement on a future event!
Duration: meets one hour for six weeks
