Why wait for warmer weather to start seeing real change?
Get ahead now with our on-demand video Behavior Insights Program, so when spring arrives, you and your dog will be ready to hit the ground running in our In-Person Life Skills Group Classes!
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Start learning today with expert-guided videos
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Build essential skills at home before stepping into class
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Join us in 2025 for hands-on, real-world training
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Secure your spot now and set your dog up for a lifetime of success!
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Choose from multiple spring start dates
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Enroll once—$250 covers everything
Ideal for:
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ANY AGE, ANY BREED
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People who want flexibility with in-person support
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Dogs who benefit from both home practice & real-world application
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Anyone looking for clear, effective, and manageable learning
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Max 6 dog teams per class
Get the flexibility of online learning with hands-on coaching for real-world success!
What You’ll Get:
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1-year access to On-Demand Video – Learn anytime, anywhere
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4 In-Person Classes – Hands-on coaching & structured practice
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Feel confident handling distractions—without frustration
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Turn your daily walks into stress-free outings
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Teach your dog how to relax, even in exciting situations
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Polite Greetings & So Much MORE!
📅 Online Start Date: NOW
📅 In-Person Start Dates: Several to Choose From
Each start date marks the first of four weekly lessons, held on the same day/time each week.
Enroll Now & Choose Your Start Date
Life Skills In-Person (4 Lessons) START DATES
May 2025
• Wed, May 21 at 10:00am
• Wed, May 21 at 6:30pm
• Sat, May 24 at 10:00am
• Sat, May 24 at 12:00pm (noon)
June 2025
• Wed, June 18 at 10:00am
• Wed, June 18 at 6:30pm
• Sat, June 21 at 10:00am
• Sat, June 21 at 12:00pm (noon)
July 2025
• Wed, July 16 at 10:00am
• Wed, July 16 at 6:30pm
• Sat, July 19 at 10:00am
• Sat, July 19 at 12:00pm (noon)
Enrollment Step-by-Step
1️⃣ Sign Up
Enroll in the Behavior Insights & Life Skills Hybrid Program and complete your secure payment online. (Choose start date after purchase).
2️⃣ Get Immediate Access to the Online Course
Once enrolled, you’ll receive instant access to the Behavior Insights On-Demand course. Start learning key skills at your own pace, from the comfort of home.
3️⃣ Book Your In-Person Group Class
Log into your online course and select the first module to find enrollment details and start date selection for your 2025 In-Person Group Class. Choose your preferred start date—each class is limited to 6 person/dog teams for an optimal learning experience.
4️⃣ Practice at Home
Work through video lessons and hands-on exercises to deepen your understanding of your dog’s behavior and communication. The more you practice now, the more you’ll get out of your in-person classes!
5️⃣ Stay on Track with Support & Encouragement
Receive automated check-ins to keep you motivated, answer common questions, and help you feel confident as you progress.
6️⃣ Attend Your In-Person Life Skills Group Classes
When your class starts, meet us at our 75x75 fenced teaching field and groomed trails at 1949 Gingell Road, Johannesburg, Michigan. Apply what you’ve learned with Valeria’s expert guidance in a real-world setting.
7️⃣ Refine & Strengthen Your Skills
During in-person classes, you’ll fine-tune skills, practice around distractions, and receive personalized coaching to build confidence and real-world readiness.
🎉 Celebrate Your Progress
By the end of your hybrid learning experience, you’ll have the skills and confidence to navigate everyday situations with ease—leading to a more connected and well-adjusted canine companion.
🔹 Bonus:
Enjoy continued access to the online course for a full year, so you can revisit lessons anytime for a refresher!
Program Cost: $250
Includes full online access + 4 in-person group classes
Choose from multiple start dates — max 6 teams per class
Online Course Details
The Canine Behavior Insights On-Demand program is the online learning component of our hybrid program, giving you the flexibility to start building essential skills with your dog anytime, anywhere. This self-paced, video-based course provides foundational knowledge, practical exercises, and expert guidance to set you up for success before stepping into the in-person Life Skills Group Classes.
What’s Included:
✅ Immediate Access – Start learning the moment you enroll, with on-demand videos covering essential behavior insights and real-world applications.
✅ Step-by-Step Lessons – Each module breaks down key concepts into clear, actionable steps that are easy to implement at home.
✅ Practical Exercises – Engage in interactive activities designed to help you understand and communicate with your dog effectively.
✅ Expert Guidance – Benefit from professional instruction, ensuring you have the right tools and knowledge to build a strong foundation.
✅ Seamless Integration – Complete the online portion at your own pace, so you and your dog are prepared and confident when transitioning to in-person classes.
By working through the Behavior Insights On-Demand program first, you’ll maximize the value of your in-person learning, allowing you to focus on real-world practice instead of learning concepts from scratch.
By the time you step into your group classes, you and your dog will already have a solid foundation, allowing you to focus on fine-tuning skills, deepening engagement, and reinforcing behaviors that matter in everyday life.
In-Person Group Class Details
Our Life Skills Group Classes are the in-person component of our hybrid program, designed to help you and your dog apply what you've learned in real-world settings. These classes provide hands-on guidance, structured practice, and the opportunity to refine your skills with the support of an expert instructor.
What’s Included:
✅ Four Engaging, 1-Hour In-Person Classes – Train in a secure, 100x100-foot fenced grass field, ensuring a safe and controlled learning environment. Enjoy guided group walks on our groomed trails, allowing your dog to practice skills in a natural setting.
✅ Real-World Application – Strengthen your dog's ability to respond reliably amidst real-life distractions in an outdoor, dynamic environment.
✅ Personalized Coaching – Receive expert feedback tailored to you and your dog's individual needs, ensuring effective progress.
✅ Interactive Exercises – Participate in structured activities designed to build confidence, cooperation, and clear communication.
✅ Supportive Community – Learn alongside fellow dog guardians in a positive, encouraging environment that fosters camaraderie and shared learning.
✅ Seamless Transition from Online to In-Person – Arrive prepared, applying concepts from the online Behavior Insights On-Demand program to maximize your in-person experience.
Join us for an enriching, hands-on experience where you and your dog will develop practical skills for a lifetime of success together!
Canine Behavior Insights
On-Demand Video Curriculum
Foundations of Mutual Communication
Video Modules:
🎬 Empowering Communication Through Behavior
🎬 Reinforcing Communication Behaviors
🎬 Introducing the Leash
What You’ll Learn:
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Recognize and Interpret Basic Canine Behavior: Learn to observe and understand the subtle ways your dog communicates, including voluntary behaviors like sitting or making eye contact.
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Use Positive Reinforcement and Timing: Practice positive reinforcement, using timing and rewards that encourage calm behaviors your dog can offer naturally.
What Your Dog Will Be Able to Do:
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Sit and Wait in Basic Contexts: Begin to use “sit” and waiting calmly as a way to politely request things, rather than jumping or barking.
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Respond to You with More Focus: Look to you for guidance and be more attentive to your presence, making it easier for your dog to follow cues.
Benefits:
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Builds a foundation for communication and mutual understanding between you and your dog.
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Reduces frustration by giving your dog clear, positive ways to communicate their needs and desires.
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Sets up a positive foundation for introducing the leash, making your dog comfortable with this new experience.
Decoding Dog Behavior
Video Modules:
🎬 10 Steps to Behavior Change
🎬 Myth Busting
🎬 How Dogs Learn
🎬 Alternatives to Undesirable Behavior (Repertoires)
What You’ll Learn:
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Build Positive Communication Skills: Reinforce behaviors that you want to see more of, like “sit” and waiting, helping your dog learn how to communicate politely for things they want.
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Start Building Impulse Control: Practice basic exercises that encourage your dog to wait calmly, beginning to build self regulation that can apply to mealtime, doorways, and more.
What Your Dog Will Be Able to Do:
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Offer Polite Behaviors More Often: Your dog will begin naturally offering calm behaviors, such as sitting, without needing to be told, making everyday interactions smoother.
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Engage in Positive Routine Behaviors at Home: Display patience in common routines, such as waiting briefly before meals or when preparing to go outside.
Benefits:
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Helps you understand your dog’s behavior patterns, allowing you to make informed choices that encourage positive behaviors.
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Builds trust through consistent reinforcement, leading to a calmer, more cooperative home environment.
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Lays the groundwork for future self-regulation and polite responses in various contexts.
Cultivating Cooperative Behavior
Video Modules:
🎬 The Waiter Game & Adding the “Sit” Cue
🎬 A Comprehensive Guide to Teaching Your Dog
🎬 Imagine the Perfect Dog
🎬 The Jewelry Game & Door Etiquette
What You’ll Learn:
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Establish Calm and Cooperative Routines: Develop routines that encourage patience and calmness, like waiting politely at doors or before being fed, reducing impulsive or disruptive behaviors.
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Encouragement of Offered Behaviors: Reinforce your dog’s natural choices, helping them learn how to get attention or access politely by offering a behavior (like sitting) rather than demanding it.
What Your Dog Will Be Able to Do:
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Demonstrate Calm Behaviors During Routines: Wait calmly at doors, food bowls, and other thresholds, applying the “sit” behavior in different contexts and making preparation for walks or outings a positive experience.
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Increase Focus and Cooperation: Look to you for guidance, with growing responsiveness to both verbal and environmental cues.
Benefits:
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Teaches your dog patience and cooperation in ways that apply to real-life routines and interactions.
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Reduces unwanted behaviors by replacing them with polite behaviors, like sitting or waiting.
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Prepares both you and your dog for ongoing learning, providing a reliable foundation for tackling more specific or advanced challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
We're here to offer clarity and insight into what you can expect when you choose Drop the Leash LLC. Feel free to reach out if your question isn't answered below—we're always happy to help!
Are group classes suitable for my dog?
Our Life Skills Group Classes are designed for dogs who are comfortable in group settings and around people and other dogs. If your dog struggles with fear, reactivity, or aggression, a group class may not be the best first step. We recommend starting with Virtual Consultations & Mediation to create a solid foundation before transitioning to a group setting. You can always reach out to us to have a conversation droptheleashdogtraining@gmail.com.
Can I bring my reactive or aggressive dog to a group class?
If your dog exhibits aggressive or highly reactive behavior towards people or other dogs, a group class is not the appropriate setting. Our programs prioritize safety and success for all participants. Instead, we offer private consultations and customized behavior modification plans to address your dog's specific needs before considering a group environment.
What if my dog struggles in a group class setting?
We recognize that every dog is unique, and you may not realize your dog finds group settings overwhelming. Our instructors will assess each dog's comfort level, and if needed, we can provide alternative recommendations to set you and your dog up for success. Your dog's well-being comes first, and we are happy to guide you toward the best path for learning and growth.
What makes Drop the Leash LLC group classes different?
Our Life Skills Group Classes go beyond dog training—they focus on real-world skills that help dogs and their guardians succeed in everyday situations. With small class sizes, personalized coaching, and a structured yet flexible approach, we ensure that you and your dog receive individualized attention in a supportive environment.
How quickly can I expect to see behavior changes in my dog?
Each dog and person learns at their own pace, and the journey to improvement varies. Many of our students notice positive changes shortly after starting the on-demand Behavior Insights and implementing the skills taught. Still, embracing the process without expecting an "instant fix" is important. True behavior change is a gradual journey that requires patience, commitment, and an open mind. Our programs are designed for those willing to actively participate in their dog's learning experience through consultations, videos, and participation in our supportive community.
Is there an age limit for teaching my dog?
No, there isn't! It's never too early or too late to start! Whether your dog is a puppy or in their golden years, our methods are designed to enhance learning at any stage of life. Early intervention can help prevent unwanted behaviors, but new habits can be taught and reinforced at any age. Every dog can benefit from learning, no matter when you begin.
What if I enroll in a program that's not right for my needs?
We understand your needs may evolve and are committed to helping you find the best fit. If the program you've selected doesn't feel right, we'll gladly help you switch to one that's better suited for you and your dog. Just reach out to us at droptheleashdogtraining@gmail.com, and we'll explore other options to ensure your goals are met.
Can I teach my dog even if I'm not a professional?
Absolutely! Our goal is to empower human and dog teams of all experience levels. With over three decades of experience, we've guided thousands of people to develop strong, healthy relationships with their dogs. You don't need to be a professional—just open to learning and partnering with us to teach your dog using humane and effective strategies.
What methods will we use for behavior change?
We use humane, science-based methods focusing on positive reinforcement and understanding your dog's natural behavior. Our approach is rooted in kindness, respect, and clear communication, creating a supportive learning environment for you and your dog. Our methods prioritize building a strong connection through mutual trust and reinforcement. We do not recommend or use shock collars, pinch collars, training collars, choke chains, shake cans, water spray, hitting or any other form of punishment to teach.
Do I need special equipment for teaching my dog?
In most cases, no special equipment is needed. We focus on tools and resources you likely already have at home. Occasionally, we may suggest specific aids based on your dog's unique learning style and your goals, but the heart of our work is simple, effective communication and natural reinforcement strategies that lead to lasting improvements.
How Much Does It Cost?
Investing in the canine behavior services of Drop the Leash LLC goes beyond just the financial commitment—it's about investing in your dog's and your family's future. The time, effort, and dedication you put in now will strengthen your bond, improve communication, and foster lasting behavior changes that enhance your dog's quality of life.
For a detailed overview of the investment required for our programs and consultations, including pricing, please visit our Programs & Services page. We offer a range of options to fit various needs and budgets so you can find the right path for you and your dog.