Dogs Best Friend!

ALL CLASSES CURRENTLY ON HIATUS UNTIL 2023

akc canine good citizen

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, building 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.

if you have a puppy, we recommend starting with the akc s.t.a.r. puppy program: the modern puppy, zooming teens, and puppy 3.

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 proof of current vaccinations or present titer results; please bring to first class.

important note:

class fees must be paid at time of registration in order to secure your pup’s spot in the class and must be paid in full at time of registration. we do not accept “one-week-at-a-time” payments. due to the importance of continuity in this class, we cannot offer make-up classes for this workshop.

starts: tba

$350 for six week class

add pup to waitlist

akc community canine and therapy dog preparation class

akc community canine is the most advanced class in our therapy dog path. your dog will learn therapy dog skills in real-world environments rather than in a park or ring, proving competence in challenging situations such as:

  • walking calmly past distractions without pulling
  • sitting and staying in a small group of people with dogs
  • leaving food on the ground
  • staying until called while you enter or exit a doorway or narrow passageway

we will also teach your dog to happily accept touching, grooming, and sloppy petting by strangers. important skills for any dog who dreams of becoming a therapy dog.

successful completion of this class and passing all 10 test items earns your pup the title cgca.

to join the class, your dog must be an akc canine good citizen and must have an akc number of one of three types (note: all dogs, including mixed breeds, are eligible for an akc number):

  1. akc registration number. your purebred dog has “papers.” you would have received these from the breeder.
  2. a pal number (“purebred alternative listing”) for purebred dogs of akc breeds without papers (such as rescue or shelter dogs).
  3. an akc canine partners number for mixed breed dogs, or dogs otherwise ineligible for akc registration such as purebreds from other countries that are not akc recognized breeds. all dogs can enroll in the akc canine partners program.

for questions about akc registration, please contact akc customer service.

all dogs must have proof of current vaccinations or present titer results; please bring to first class.

starts: tba

$350 for six week class

add pup to interest list

the modern puppy – for pups 8 – 16 weeks of age (at class start date). if puppy chooses to attend without socialization days (see below), starting age may be up to 20 weeks of age

the modern puppy is our newest puppy program created for maximum flexibility and safety, in a time when meeting in person was not possible or recommended. this integrated ONLINE training and socialization program allows puppy parents the opportunity to train your puppies in the quiet and safety of your own home, with our instruction, guidance and support.

the modern puppy also provides an important socialization opportunity in an intimate, sterile and safe environment, with recommended protocols on social distancing practiced with utmost detail and concern.

what will you receive in this six-week program?

-weekly videos demonstrating the important life skills puppies need to know: sit, down, stay, leave it, loose leash walking, settling out of play, aggression prevention, and much more

-video guidance on potty/crate training, tools to survive that all important (and painful) puppy nipping phase, and any challenge that may pop up during this early life stage

-weekly puppy raising tips

-three 4-hour socialization and play sessions (see play session below) at dog’s best friend, at which time puppies will learn to interact appropriately with other puppies their own age, as well as rebecca’s adult golden retriever, chester, who will provide calm dog/dog lessons and direction*

*play sessions are scheduled based on puppy’s temperament, taking careful consideration into which puppies will be the right match, allowing for the most positive experience possible. play sessions will be limited to 2 “modern puppies” per session, integrated with our puppy’s best start puppies. these sessions must be completed within one week of the final question/answer session described below. these are not skills sessions. the focus is solely on puppy interaction, play and enrichment. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN PLAY SESSIONS, PUPPIES MUST BE CRATE OR PEN TRAINED

-if puppy does not live locally, or cannot meet health requirements, we offer the class, excluding socialization days, at a lower price (see below)

-weekly group question/answer sessions to review and clarify anything from the above. these sessions are held at the same time every week, for six weeks

-video review of the covered skills, culminating in your puppy’s first graduate diploma. pup parent is required to take videos of their work, and send in to dbf weekly for review

-if you cannot make a class, no worries, they are recorded for maximum flexibility

a few notes on health:

your puppy’s health is our number one concern, therefore all puppies must meet the following requirements in order to schedule/attend their socialization days.

all of the items below are mandatory and must be received at least 24 hours prior to socialization day — no exceptions.

-our veterinary health form completed and signed by your vet (provided upon registration)

-one set of vaccinations 7 days prior to the first socialization session

-proof of a clean fecal test

-puppy must be in their new home for at least one week

most puppies learn to socialize easily, but on some rare occasions, the group environment is too stressful/scary for the puppy. if a puppy shows excessive signs of fear/stress and is not able to function in the play sessions, they will be removed from the socialization play sessions, and alternate arrangements for socialization will be discussed with puppy parent.

please contact us with questions/concerns

starts: tba

$475 for six week class, including socialization days IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN PLAY SESSIONS, PUPPIES MUST BE CRATE OR PEN TRAINED. IF NOT, PLEASE CHOOSE CLASS W/O SOCIAL DAYS

$325 for six week class, excluding socialization days

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS CLASS, WE CANNOT OFFER REFUNDS IF YOUR PUPPY’S PLANS CHANGE. ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE FINAL. NO EXCEPTIONS.

IF PUPPY IS FOUND TO HAVE GIARDIA OR ANY OTHER PARASITE/HEALTH CONCERN AFTER REGISTERING, CLASSES CAN BE DEFERRED UNTIL PUPPY IS HEALTHY. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN.

we cannot take verbal reservations for this program. please register to hold your pup’s spot.

tba

zooming teens – an intermediate online class, the modern puppy grads, as well as puppies who have graduated from our puppy’s best start program

zooming teens is our newest intermediate class, built to provide the next step in learning to graduates of the modern puppy, as well our puppy’s best start program graduates.

this class was created for maximum flexibility and safety, in a time when meeting in person was not possible or recommended. this integrated ONLINE training and socialization program allows teen parents the opportunity to train your adolescents in the quiet and safety of your own home, with our instruction, guidance and support.

zooming teens also offers an important opportunity for a special socialization day for dog friendly teens, in a safe environment, focused on healthy play and dog/dog communication.

what will you receive in this six-week program?

-weekly videos demonstrating the important skills necessary to move from puppyhood to adolescence. this includes: long distance recall,  loose leash walking, proper dog/dog greetings, and calm behavior in public places

-video guidance on everything “teen,” from exuberant human greetings, to counter-surfing, to door bolting

-one 4-hour socialization and play session at dog’s best friend, at which time dbf will evaluate each teen’s play style and communication skills, and offer guidance on improving their teenage socialization*

*the play session must be completed within one week of the final question/answer session described below. these are not skills sessions. the focus is solely on dog/dog interactions, play and communication. these sessions are built for teens who are social and friendly. they would not be a good match for dogs who are fearful or aggressive. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN PLAY SESSION, TEENS MUST BE CRATE OR PEN TRAINED

-if teen does not live locally, or cannot meet health requirements, we offer the class, excluding socialization days, at a lower price (see below)

-weekly group question/answer sessions to review and clarify anything from the above*

*q and a sessions are held at the same time each week, for six weeks

-video review of the covered skills, culminating in your teens’ graduate diploma. dog parent is required to take videos of their work, and send in to dbf weekly for review

-if you cannot make a class, no worries, they are recorded for maximum flexibility

a few notes on health:

your teen’s health is our number one concern, therefore all teens must meet the following requirements in order to schedule/attend their socialization day.

all of the items below are mandatory and must be received at least 24 hours prior to socialization day — no exceptions.

-our veterinary health form completed and signed by your vet (provided upon registration)

-completed vaccinations one week prior to socialization session

-proof of a clean fecal test

most teens learn to socialize easily, but on some rare occasions, the group environment is too stressful/scary for the teen. if a teen shows excessive signs of fear/stress and is not able to function in the play session, they will be removed from the session, and alternate arrangements for socialization will be discussed with teen parent.

please contact us with questions/concerns

starts: tba

$400 for six week class, including socialization day IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN PLAY SESSION, TEENS MUST BE CRATE OR PEN TRAINED. IF NOT, PLEASE CHOOSE CLASS W/O SOCIAL DAY

$350 for six week class, excluding socialization days

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS CLASS, WE CANNOT OFFER REFUNDS IF YOUR TEEN’S PLANS CHANGE. ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE FINAL. NO EXCEPTIONS.

IF TEEN IS FOUND TO HAVE GIARDIA OR ANY OTHER PARASITE/HEALTH CONCERN AFTER REGISTERING, CLASSES CAN BE DEFERRED UNTIL TEEN IS HEALTHY. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN.

we cannot take verbal reservations for this program. please register to hold your teen’s spot.

no class on schedule at this time

no class on schedule at this time

puppy 3 – polite pup about town, an advanced puppy class – for fully vaccinated pups 6 – 24 months of age

designed for graduates of the modern puppy, zooming teens and our puppy’s best start program.

this advanced class was created to help prepare pups for a life of cafes, shopping and fun, to help them learn how to behave calmly in real world situations.

in this class we hone walking skills, stay, leave it, appropriate human greetings, and calm behavior around other dogs in the outside world.

for pups under one year of age (per akc rules), your pup will work toward earning an akc s.t.a.r. (socialization, training, activity, responsibility) certificate, showing the world that you are a responsible pup parent and your puppy is starting life as a well-mannered member of the community. the perfect foundation for moving into our akc canine good citizen class!

by passing the akc s.t.a.r. test at the end of the class, you’ll receive an application for enrollment in the akc-sponsored program, a medal to display, a listing in the s.t.a.r. records and a puppy package with a certificate, handbook, discounts and subscription to their training email newsletter.

due to the nature of this class, it would not be a match for fearful or anxious pups.

this class meets for six weeks. the first class will be held at dbf. all remaining classes will be held at various locations in hermosa and manhattan beach.

important note:

your puppy’s health is our number one concern, therefore all dogs must be fully vaccinated. proof of current vaccinations are due 24 hours before the class start date. titer tests are accepted.

starts: tba

$350 for six week class

the precocious pup – a prepaid puppy class package for ambitious little ones

get started off on the right paw, and save a few bones, by prepaying for the modern puppy, zooming teens and puppy 3 (all medical qualifications apply).

$1100 for three six week classes – including socialization (modern puppy and zooming teens)

$900 for three six week classes – excluding socialization (modern puppy and zooming teens)

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THESE CLASSES, WE CANNOT OFFER REFUNDS IF YOUR PUPPY’S PLANS CHANGE. ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE FINAL. NO EXCEPTIONS.

register for precocious pup – excluding socialization

register for precocious pup – including socialization

rovereactive group class – online

when you’re walking your dog on leash, does he lunge, bark or growl at other dogs, skateboards, people?  in this intensive six-week ONLINE 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.

through weekly ONLINE meetings, video assignments/review, and written curriculum, we will give you the tools to work with your dog, through the challenges of reactivity.

prong, choke and shock collars are not permitted.

five of the six classes will be held ONLINE, with class six/graduation being held at an outdoor location tbd (in the south bay of los angeles). for the outdoor class, all social distancing precautions will be taken, and masks will be mandatory

all dogs must have proof of current vaccinations or present titer results in order to attend the graduation field-trip session.

starts: tba

$350 for six week class

register for class

 webinars

what to expect when you’re expecting…a puppy!

webinar on demand

presented by rebecca mandell, owner of dog’s best friend, what to expect when you’re expecting…a puppy! was created for anyone planning on or considering taking the leap into puppy parenthood.

in this 2-hour webinar on demand, we will discuss not only the joys of being a puppy parent, but the extreme challenges that bringing a fluff ball into your home can bring.

items we will cover:

-finding a breeder/rescue group
-cost of raising a puppy/dog
-the importance of proper early life socialization
-potty training
-surviving puppy nipping
-raising a happy, well-adjusted adult dog

$30 – buy now