Dog Training Classes in CT | Our Companions Animal Rescue & Sanctuary

Dog Training Classes

Our Companions Animal Rescue offers a variety of group classes designed to serve the needs of our community and keep pets in their homes through affordable, relationship-centered training. These classes aim to help pet guardians build confidence, training motivation, and trust with their dogs using positive reinforcement and fear-free methods. Shy, Fearful, and Reactive Dogs are welcome!

View Available Classes

All group classes follow a Pay-What-You-Can System where pet guardians can adjust the price of classes based on what they are willing and able to pay when they register. The suggested prices for our classes are $175 for 6-week courses, $125 for 4-week puppy classes, and $95 for our 4-week specialty courses.

Classes are based out of the Valerie Friedman Program Center in Manchester, CT.

If you need assistance with registration, please contact us at 860-242-9999 or [email protected].

NEW Puppy Classes

Puppy Classes at Our Companions are designed to build training motivation and social skills for puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks of age. Across four weeks, our pet guardians and puppies will get a head start in focus, leash walking, confidence building, and cooperative care with 30 minutes of training/handling and 15 minutes of supervised puppy playtime. By the end of these four weeks, our puppy parents should have a clear understanding of their puppy's unique personality and training needs and how to continue to build these skills as they develop.

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Family Companion Series

New to training? At Our Companions, all new students are encouraged to start with Family Companions 1. Not only will this introduce you to our programs, but ensures you and your dog have the foundation and confidence needed to attend our more advanced classes.

The Family Companion Series uses game-based learning to teach skills such as focus, attention, impulse control, and regulation techniques that can be used in everyday life with your dog. We believe in setting you and your dog up for success, emphasizing choice, and managing expectations to build better, happier lives with our dogs.

Family Companion 1

Family Companion 2

Family Companion 3 (Group Walk)

Specialty Training Classes

These 4-week training courses highlight specialized skills and enrichment for you and your canine companion. These courses are offered on a limited basis and fill up fast! If you would like to join our waitlist, please contact us at 860-242-9999 or [email protected].

Reliable Recall Foundations

Polite Loose Leash Walking

Focusing on Focus

Cooperative Care Foundations

Trick Training Class

More Trick Training

Fun with Rally Obedience

Enrichment & Scent Fun

Hear From Our Clients

"I brought my dog to this class because she's fearful, easily startled and her reaction is to bark endlessly. Beth and Dylan taught me ways to build her confidence by incorporating fun activities, our whole family participates [...] It's advertised as six weeks of class but in my opinion I now have a on going resource for questions, concerns as well as other classes and activities Our Companions has.

Our thanks to everyone who helped us to understand how to see the world from out dogs point of view."

Anonymous

Family Companion 1

"Just wanted to let you know how much we love Family Companions 1 on Tuesday nights! It has great teachers, a great teacher to dog ratio, and what we're learning is so practical and easy to implement."

Kelly Luxenberg

Family Companion 1

"Love this organization and its philosophy!!! Thank you for offering great classes to help with training and understanding of our dogs!"

Anonymous

Family Companion 1

“Thank you! And please tell everyone else who had anything to do with Maya's training at OC ... thank you! Today she passed her therapy test with flying colors! I really didn't think she would. I knew she was capable; just not reliably so. But I spent an hour before the test walking and running with her so she was tired. So she could think. And she was amazing!

Penny Petrone

Long Term Client

"Beth and the team were awesome! The assistance was tailored to the needs of the dog and provided usable techniques to work with at home! Great experience overall!"

Anonymous

Family Companion 1

"All the staff was very engaging, helpful, knowlegable. I was very happy with the training, encouragement and look forward to signing up for more classes. Top Notch"

Anonymous

Family Companion 1

"We love the training classes at Our Companions and recommend them to everyone we know. This is my second dog I've put through the training and I love that you have continually improved the class to make it the best experience for dog and caregiver. We will be looking to take additional classes."

Anonymous

Long Term Client

"Fezz has been so much better walking with me! We continue to work with him and we are so happy to have rescued him. He constantly makes us smile."

Amy Nocton

Long Term Client

"This class was a great training experience for us. Our dog is so much better and listens to us. He is calmer too and we're more confident owners too. Thank you!"

Anonymous

Family Companion 1

"I really appreciate the way the program is crafted to provide a safe low-stress environment."

Anonymous

Family Companion 1

Meet the Trainers

Deanna Nickels

ABCDT

Hi, I'm Deanna Nickels

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Animal Behavior College Graduate (ABCDT) and have been with Our Companions for a total of 15 years, 3 as a volunteer and 12 as the Canine College Manager. I am the primary contact for our training students and teach and supervise all of our course offerings. My favorite skill is Doggie Skateboarding!

"I love seeing the relationship grow between two very different species."

Beth Vincent
CPDT, FPPE

Hi, I'm Beth Vincent

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE). I have been volunteering with Our Companions for 12 years and teach FC1 and FC2, Scent Fun, Tricks, Recall, and Loose-Leash Walking. My favorite training skills are Say Please and Bellie Walking!

"I love that the program is built around helping people understand and build their relationships with their dogs, and coaching and empowering people"

Sue Lawlor

Hi, I'm Sue Lawlor

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and have been a volunteer at Our Companions for 10 years and have learned from some of the most respected R+ trainers in the world. I teach FC1, FC2, Tricks, Scent Fun, Recall, Loose-Leash Walking, and Cooperative Care! My favorite skill is Recall. "It is a life-or-death skill and I just love to see dogs sprinting happily to their owners when called!"

"I love that Our Companions can accommodate and provide a safe environment for reactive and fearful dogs and the people who love them."

Jill Cote

Hi, I'm Jill Cote

I have been a volunteer at Our Companions for 4 years and I teach FC1, FC2, and Cooperative Care. My favorite training skill to teach is the Turn and Go.

"I love that classes are welcoming, accommodating, and inclusive of all dogs."

Natalie Hernández Aurrecoechea
Habla español

Hi, I'm Natalie Hernández Aurrecoechea

I have been a volunteer with Our Companions for 5 years! I teach the FC1, FC1.5, FC2, Scent, Focus, Tricks 1&2, and Walking Club! My favorite skill to teach is sit at your side.

"I love seeing the dogs and the people grow in their relationship. Watching dogs of all kinds grow their confidence in their people’s ability to communicate and advocate for them is such a great feeling. Plus I like having a fun place to try things with my dog surrounded by people who are also pet obsessed. The best thing about OC is the community."

Daryl Carbone
CCMT

Hi, I'm Daryl Carbone

I am a Certified Canine Massage Therapist (CCMT) and have been volunteering with Our Companions for 15 years. I teach FC1 and FC2, Scent Fun, and Tricks! My favorite training skills are the classic Wait, Recall, and Stay."

"I love the bond between dog and owner that our training classes promote."

Lynda Thornton

Hi, I'm Lynda Thornton

I have been a volunteer at Our Companions for 13 years. I teach FC1 and FC2. My favorite training skills to teach are the Turn and Go and Say Please!

"I love how much individual attention is given to each client especially if they have a dog with more challenges."

Janice Finn

Hi, I'm Janice Finn

I have been a volunteer with Our Companions for 5 years! I teach Family Companions 1 (FC1) and my favorite training skill to teach is Recall. I love watching them come running back to you!

"I love building the relationship between you and your dog."