Dog Training Classes

North Country Animal League is pleased to offer the following positive-reinforcement based training classes. All classes take place at NCAL in Morrisville, VT.

Puppy Kindergarten:

This 6-week course is designed for puppies to get a head start on their basic manners, training basics, and socialization. This is a golden age for puppies in terms of learning new behaviors and becoming a well-adjusted, social adult. The emphasis will be on fun, positive training in a relaxed setting. Get your puppy used to walking on a leash, being handled for grooming and vet visits, and the basics of sit, down, stay, and come when called. Puppy topics such as housetraining, chewing, nipping and crating will also be addressed. Short training sessions will be staggered among puppy socialization and play.

• Limited to puppies 10 weeks to 20 weeks old at the start of class
• Class size limited to 6 students. .
• Cost per session: $125

Good Dog! – Manners and More:

This 6-week course is for dogs 6 months and older. There is no UPPER age limit, since it is NEVER too late to have a good dog. We will teach you how to have a polite dog at home with you, when guests arrive and in public. We stress good manners, safety and appropriate interactions with children, adults and other dogs. We will teach (or re-teach) you and your dog new vocabulary such as Come When Called, Stay, Leave It, Down, Stand, and Let’s Go. All this in a fun, positive training environment. Class is held indoors once a week at NCAL.

• Class limited to 6 students.
• Cost per session: $125

*Please note that dogs do NOT attend the first class of Puppy Kindergarten or Good Dog! Manners and More.

Download Class Application

Class Schedule Winter/Spring 2017

Meet our Trainer

Marie Kingsbury is a native of Maine who spent several years traveling and found her home away from home in Stowe, Vermont. After spending long hours managing, serving, or hosting at a few local restaurants in town she slowly changed her career path by starting a dog walking business in 2010.

In 2015/2016 Marie was accepted into The Victoria Stilwell Academy, traveling back and forth to Atlanta Georgia to study Positive Reinforcement Training and Behavior with Victoria Stilwell and Brad and Lisa Waggoner. She graduated in August of 2016. Marie believes that positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing behavior.

Positive Reinforcement Training uses praise and or treats to reward your dog for doing something you want him/her to do. Because the reward makes your dog more likely to repeat the behavior. She has seen first-hand how this method can strengthen the bond between owner and dog.